Q: I notice that the word "hotel" is often preceded with the word "an," as in "We searched for an hotel," but I'm confused. Shouldn't it be "a hotel"? — Dan LaRosa, via email

A: I'll be glad to check into "an hotel" — and I even have a reservation.

Unless the folks searching for a hotel spoke with a Cockney accent, dropping every "h," — "We 'unted owl ova' 'eaven 'n 'ell for an 'otel" — "hotel" should be preceded by "a" not "an."

The standard rule is that "a" should be used before words starting with "h" if the "h" is pronounced, however faintly, e.g., "a hotel," "a hero," "a humble pie." "An" should precede a word beginning with "h" only when the "h" is not pronounced at all, as in "an hour," "an honor," "an herb."

Now for my reservation: In some "h" words that are accented on the second syllable, the first "h" is barely spoken, as in "historic," "hallucination" and "habitual."

Because the "h" sound is so faint in such words, it's tempting to use "an" before them: "an historic occasion," "an hallucination" and "an habitual offender."

Don't do that. Usage authorities insist that we use "a" before such words — even if we're not 'appy 'bout it, guv'nuh.

Q: I just saw this on TV: "What percent of businesses are owned by women?" It gave me pause. It seems to me it should be "What percent of businesses is owned by women?" even though it may sound strange. Please clarify. — Betty Lundy, West Point, Miss.

A: "Percent" and "percentage," like "variety," "majority" and "number," are called "nouns of multitude." Such nouns may be treated as either singular or plural, depending on meaning and context.

When the percent of people or things is thought of as a single unit or block, use a singular verb, e.g., "The percent of first-time visitors is large."

But when the people or things are regarded as individual items, use a plural verb, e.g., "A large percent of visitors are coming for the first time." (The "are coming" makes you think of them as individuals.)

Your ear will usually tell you whether a singular or plural verb sounds more natural and sensible. For instance, when you changed the sentence to "What percent of businesses is owned by women?" you noticed that the clashing juxtaposition of "businesses" and "is" sounded strange.

So your auditory instincts are correct — and so is the choice of the plural verb "are."

Rob Kyff, a teacher and writer in West Hartford, Conn., invites your language sightings. Send your reports of misuse and abuse, as well as examples of good writing, via e-mail to [email protected] or by regular mail to Rob Kyff, Creators Syndicate, 737 3rd Street, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254.