Indefinite article: "a" vs. "an"

[teddy]

English Grammar Tests, Elementary Level

ESL/EFL Test #98 "Articles in English Grammar", question 8

How much will it cost to go on ......... holiday to Bali?

(a) a
(b) an
(c) the

English Grammar Tests, Elementary Level

ESL/EFL Test #98 "Articles in English Grammar", answer 8

How much will it cost to go on a holiday to Bali?

Correct answer: (a) a

Your answer was: incorrect
How much will it cost to go on an holiday to Bali?
_________________________

Why I have to use "a" instead of "an" if holiday starts with a vowel (h should not be relevant in this case, right)? Tks

ted

[Conchita]

The 'h' in the word 'holiday' is not silent. That's why you need the article 'a'. Use 'an' before a mute 'h' (in words like 'honest', 'honour' or 'hour', for example).

[Mister Micawber]

.
... but watch out for Hawaiian, historical, hallucination and herb!
.
_________________
Canadian-American native speaker
who teaches English for a living at Mister Micawber's
ESL cafe: Interview with Mr. Micawber

[FangFang]

Hi,
Here I want to ask a stupid question!
Can I say" How much will it cost to go on holiday to Bali"?

[Yankee]

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Yes, you can, FangFang.
(And it would probably cost about the same as going on vacation to Bali.)
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_________________
Amy
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ESL teacher, translator, and a native speaker of American English

[FangFang]

hahaha, Amy's homour!!
Well, since I can say that, what is the difference ? "A" and without "A" here seem to be the same??
Go on holiday to Bali?
Go on a holiday to Bali?

I am opening a can of worms again!

[Yankee]