If you’re unsure whether to say “a hospital” or “an hospital,” you’re not alone. This is one of those grammar questions that can be confusing at first, but once you understand the rule, it’s easy to remember.
Let’s clear it up once and for all.
✅ The Correct Phrase: “A Hospital”
The correct way to say it is:
“A hospital”
Saying “an hospital” is incorrect in modern English.
🧠 Why It’s “A Hospital”
This rule is all about how the word sounds, not just how it’s spelled.
Here’s the general rule:
- Use “a” before words that start with a consonant sound
- Use “an” before words that start with a vowel sound
Even though “hospital” starts with the letter H, what really matters is the sound.
The word “hospital” starts with a strong “huh” sound — which is a consonant sound. That’s why we say “a hospital”and not “an hospital.”
🚫 Why “An Hospital” Is Incorrect
Some people mistakenly use “an hospital” thinking the letter H makes it a vowel word — but it doesn’t. The H in hospital is pronounced, and that makes a big difference.
Here’s the comparison:
- ✅ A hospital (correct — H is pronounced)
- ❌ An hospital (incorrect — sounds awkward and unnatural)
If the H were silent (like in “hour”), then “an” would be correct — but that’s not the case with hospital.
📚 Examples to Make It Clear
| Phrase | Correct or Not? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| A hospital visit | ✅ Correct | “H” is pronounced |
| An hospital visit | ❌ Incorrect | “H” is not silent |
| An hour late | ✅ Correct | Silent “H”, vowel sound |
| A hero | ✅ Correct | “H” is pronounced |
🔄 Quick Grammar Tip
Think about how the word sounds when spoken out loud. That’s what determines whether to use “a” or “an.”
- If it starts with a vowel sound, use “an”
- If it starts with a consonant sound, use “a”
So, again:
The correct form is always: a hospital
🗣️ In a Sentence:
- She was taken to a hospital after the accident.
- We visited a hospital to see my uncle.
- He works at a hospital downtown.
All of these are grammatically correct and sound natural.
✔️ Final Answer
So, is it “a hospital” or “an hospital”?
✅ It’s a hospital — always.
Now you know the rule, and you’ll never mix it up again.