Question: what is the standard enthalpy of formation of an element?
Answer: The standard enthalpy of formation for an element in its standard state is ZERO!!!! Elements in their standard state are not formed, they just are. So, ΔH°f for C (s, graphite) is zero, but the ΔH°f for C (s, diamond) is 2 kJ/mol. That is because graphite is the standard state for carbon, not diamond.