Urgent- holistic approach: 'an' or 'a'?

[tethersend]

Trying to complete an application form...

Is it an holistic approach or a holistic approach?

Don't want to look like a twat. Any more than absolutely necessary

I would say a holistic approach.

Btw, good luck with whatever it is you are applying for

I'd go with a

A, just as it would be A house.

I would beg to differ [snigger]

Actually, although I think 'an hotel' is going too far, I probably would say an holistic' - I think (entirely randomly) because it's a soft 'o' (or it is that way I say it, at least).

But I wouldn't notice if anyone else said 'a holistic'

No, changed my mind - go with 'a'. You will sound like an hole of arse otherwise.

I think an holistic approach. It's quite hard to say "a holistic".

But then I am old-fashioned. Recently corrected a friend on (in a written piece before you think I am bonkers) "a variety of mediums" should be media of course.

I would say 'an' but only because I have this rule that if the stress is on the first syllable of the word (house, history) I say 'a' and if the stress is not on the first syllable (historic, holistic) I say 'an'. No idea if that is right BTW.

Why do I always put acronyms in capital letters?

Thanks for responses! (And for the good luck wish...)

I am currently on 'an', as it sounds right to my ears- thinking along the lines of 'an horrific'- but logically, should it be 'a'?

Gah.

at 'hole of arse'.

Wish I could shoehorn that one into the application...

An. Hole of the arse or no

On American radio, I've heard them say "an herbal tea" (sounded as 'an erbal tea') where most people I've heard in the UK say herbal or herb with a "hard" h and therefore don't say "an" but "a".

It surely depends on how you would say the word. I'd have a "hard" h at the start of hotel, horrific and holistic. I know some would have a "soft" (or missing) h at least for hotel and possibly horrific.

Of course I might say "let's stop in an 'otel" if I had a hot French date

I think I would put an holistic. Am just trying to say it out loud and would say either "an holistic" or "a holistic" but saying it as a letter a rather than the sound "a".

Am slightly concerned I have "hole of arse" tendencies here .

What is the application for ?

I would use 'an' and did so in many, many Early Childhood Studies essays. I would also write 'an historic event.'

LOL @ "hot french date Networkguy.

Americans do say erbal, don't they, it;s very weird.

I don't really say olistic, but nonetheless "a holistic" still sounds wrong.

I'd happily say/write "a holistic approach" without any problem, and to me it does not sound wrong at all as I pronounce that "haitch"

an

A holistic (Ay, not Ah)

I think 'an'.

I believe you can use either, in this case.
When the h is silent, 'an' must be used:
An heir (pronounced 'air')
An hour (pronounced 'our')

With other words, it depends on how you pronounce the word:
An hotel (if you pronounce it 'otel' ) or
A hotel (if you pronounce it 'hotel')

Right.

Thanks, you lot...

After much soul-searching I went with 'an', as I looked deep into my inner psyche and found that I actually am a bit of an hole of arse. Ah, well.

The job is a teaching post which I really want- should I get shortlisted, I will know it was due to me completely ignoring the wisdom of MN.

LOL - good luck.