Pretty sure that is correct. Key word is "sounds". If the following word starts with a short or long vowel sound then the "thee" pronunciation is correct.

 

How interesting.

This isn't something that I've ever heard formalized before, even though I've certainly heard the differentiation in usage (and never really gave it much thought).

I suspect that I'll now be fixated on it for a while -- my usage and others', too.

Is this different pronounciation before vowel sounds universal, or does it depend on the vowel -- long "e" and "a" sounds, I think, would work better if preceded by "thuh", as in "thuh eagle does its thing on Fridays". HPH

 

The rule was considered universal, long "E" before any vowel, just as you would use the article "AN" before a vowel and "A" before a consonent, with the possible exception of "An historian/historical" and maybe a few other "H" words.

 

I think the whole problem started with the Three Stooges. B A Bay, B E Bee, B I Bickyby....

 

Language changes from place to place and time to time. Get used to it or ignore it, because you can't control it.

"Proper" language is basically aimed to demonstrate social class and educational status of the speaker, not to facilitate communication.

 

My 30 year old American Heritage Dictionary says that the preferred pronunciations are "thee" before vowels and "thuh" before consonants.

 

We are butchering the proper English in the name of being hip. I guess I am old fashioned. I just can't get enough of proper English spoken well.

 

Sorry,Guys,but do not count on me,for this one...

 

I still think that elocutions such as "'thee' eagle..." are horribly awkward. I expect, though, that like most other rules of the English language (American English or other), there are exceptions here as well. HPH

 

Yeah. Kind of sounds like "theegle".

Around these parts it's pretty much "thuh" for everything. My fourth grade teacher, however, was a real stickler for proper pronunciation as well as enunciation. She thought I mumbled, but then again, so does Barb.