Why is il habite without an apostrophe if it begins with h

Question

Cécile Janty-Davies · Accepted Answer

Hi Mysterious Stranger,
Please take a look at the following Kwiziq page on the use of elision -
https://french.kwiziq.com/revision/glossary/contraction/l-elision-elision

Maarten Kamp · Answer

The apostrophe is used when there is an elision resulting in dropped letters with the combination of the 2 words. This does not occur in il habite, nor in tu habites, but does in j'habite. The attached helps understand elision, and the limited circumstances in which it occurs https://www.lawlessfrench.com/pronunciation/elision/