Article determination

1
Article determination

• The Indefinite article A/AN
• The definite article THE
• The Zero Article

2
The Indefinite article A/AN

• A is used before a noun beginning with a
  consonant sound
• Ex. a uniform, a yoghurt
• An is used before a noun beginning with a vowel
  sound
• Ex. an umbrella, an owl

3
The Indefinite article A/AN

• Functions
• Classifying
• Nominating
• First mention
• Numerical
• Generic

4
The Indefinite article A/AN

• The Indefinite article in the Classifying
  function is used to show that the speaker is
  characterizing a person, object or event only as
  a specimen of a certain class of things.

5
The Indefinite article A/AN

• The classifying indefinite article is mostly
  found with predicative, appositive nouns and
  adverbial phrases
• Ex. Im a teacher. a predicative
• Ex. He owes his curious name to his father, a
  well-read man. an apposition
• Ex. She looked like a boy. an adverbial phrase

6
The Indefinite article A/AN

• The Indefinite article in the Nominating function
  is used when the speaker wants to name an object
  or to state what kind of object is meant.
• Ex. He struck a match and lit a cigarette. -
  objects

7
The Indefinite article A/AN

• The indefinite article is used to name an object
  which is usually new to the hearer. This is the
  first-mention function of the indefinite article.
  It serves to introduce some new information.
• Ex. One morning a man was sitting on the bench
  near the house.

8
The Indefinite article A/AN

• The indefinite article in the numerical function
  is generally found
• With nouns denoting time, measure and weight
• Ex. for a minute or two
• b. With the numerals hundred, thousand, million,
  dozen and score
• Ex. Ive told you a hundred times

9
The Indefinite article A/AN

• The indefinite article in the numerical function
  is generally found
• c. After the negative not
• Ex. not a word, not a trace
• d. In some set phrases
• Ex. at a time, at a gulp, at a draught
• e. Between two noun groups in expressions
  denoting prices, salaries, speed etc.
• Ex. 90 pounds a week, 12 hours a day

10
The Indefinite article A/AN

• The Indefinite article in the Generic function
  expresses a generalization what is said about
  one specimen of a class can be applied to all the
  specimens of the class. The meaning here is close
  to every/any.
• Ex. A tiger is a wild animal.

11
The Definite article The

• The graphic form is identical the, which is
  pronounced differently
• Before a vowel sound ði
• Ex. the actor
• Before a consonant sound ð?
• Ex. the cat

12
The Definite article The

• Functions
• Specific
• Unique
• Generic

13
The Definite article The

• The definite article in the specific function
  shows that the speaker is referring to a
  particular example.
• Ex. There is someone at the door.
• The house was a bare three minutes from the
  station.

14
The Definite article The

• The definite article in the specific function
• With the adjectives in the superlative degree
• Ex. She was the most active of us.

15
The Definite article The

• But
• Most in combination with an adjective can have
  the same meaning as very, exceedingly and is used
  with the indefinite article
• Ex. A most clever man

16
The Definite article The

• The definite article in the specific function
• With the ordinal numerals
• Ex. You should say the first romance of your
  life.
• BUT in the meaning one more or another
• Ex. Two people would have to hold the chair and
  a third would help him up on it.

17
The Definite article The

• With the cardinal numerals
• Usually no article
• Ex. There were four of us.
• The definite article is determined by the context
• Ex. Emily looked at Vera. The two women rose.

18
The Definite article The

• Note the difference
• the second chapter/ chapter two

19
The Definite article The

• The definite article in the specific function
• With the limiting adjectives and the identifying
  pronoun same
• Ex. the main reason, the only occasion, the same
  student, the right way, the very person ant etc.

20
The Definite article The

• Note An only child is to be regarded as a set
  phrase
• Ex. Im an only child in the family.

21
The Definite article The

• Prepositional phrases as limiting attributes
• Ex. I despise you from the bottom of my heart.
• Prepositional phrases without limiting meaning
  are used with the indefinite article usually
  denote material (a ring of gold) content (a
  cup of tea) quality and measure (a distance of
  two miles) composition (a group of boys a man
  of forty)

22
The Definite article The

• The definite article in the unique function shows
  the uniqueness of an object or event. The group
  of nouns with unique reference is rather limited
• the sun, the moon, the stars, the sky, the earth,
  the world, the Universe, the planets, the
  equator, the north pole, the weather, the devil,
  the pope and etc.

23
The Definite article The

• The definite article in the generic function
  shows the reference to a whole class of
  referents it is used to denote a genus taken as
  a whole, or a thing taken as a type.
• Ex. The cuckoo is a lazy bird.
• The old could not help the young.

24
The Zero Article

• With the nouns in plural
• Ex. Horses are domestic animals.
• Before the uncountable nouns
• Ex. I like milk.
• Before Proper names
• Ex. Mary is my friend.
• Washington is the capital of the USA.

25
The Zero Article

• With the addressee
• Ex. Good morning, child!
• Before the nouns denoting season, day time and
  meals
• Ex. Summer is my favourite season.
• Before ranks and titles
• Ex. Mr. West, Professor Smith

26
The Zero Article

• With some word-combinations
• Ex. at first, at home, at peace, at war, at
  table, by chance, by heart, by name, by mistake,
  by means of, in time, to be in bed, to go by bus,
  to go to school, to go to town, to tell lies, day
  by day

27
The Use of Articles with Abstract Nouns

• Abstract non-count nouns with generic reference
  are used without any article.
• Ex. Knowledge is power.
• It gives me great pleasure.
• Abstract non-count nouns can be used with the
  indefinite article when they are modified by
  descriptive attributes
• Ex. In a wild relief he put his hands to his
  face.

28
The Use of Articles with Abstract Nouns

• Abstract nouns with specific reference are used
  with the definite article.
• Ex. I feel giddy. Ill just sit here quietly
  till the giddiness wears off.
• Some Abstract nouns are never used with the
  indefinite article
• Weather, money, news, work, luck, fun and etc.

29
The Use of Articles with Abstract Nouns

• The use of articles within some syntactic
  structures
• Ex. Its a shame Its a pleasure What a pity!
  What a relief!

30
Articles with Names of Seasons and Parts of the
Day

• Names of seasons and parts of the day take no
  article when used predicatively
• Ex. It was summer.
• No article is used when such nouns are modified
  by early, late, broad, high
• Ex. It was late evening.

31
Articles with Names of Seasons and Parts of the
Day

• Used with the indefinite article if they are
  modified by a descriptive attribute
• Ex. It was a foggy evening.
• In the specific use the definite article is used
• Ex. I shall not forget the evening I spent with
  them.

32
Articles with Names of Seasons and Parts of the
Day

• Optional points (specific/generic)
• Ex. (The) winter came early that year.
• In number of some set phrases
• In the morning, in the evening, at night, at
  dawn, after sunset, from morning to night,
  through the autumn, late at night, night after
  night, all through the day and etc.

33
Articles with Names of Meals

• Names of meals usually take no articles
• Ex. Dinner is ready.
• With the descriptive attribute the indefinite
  article is used
• Ex. He ordered a modest lunch.
• With the limiting attribute the definite article
  is used
• Ex. The dinner she prepared was wonderful.

34
Articles with Names of Meals

• Names of meals may denote party, tea party and
  etc. the usage of article depends on the
  situation
• Ex. Why not give a dinner?
• She began to dress for the dinner to which she
  had been invited.

35
Articles with the nouns School, Prison, Church,
Hospital

• No article is used when they denote the purpose
  they are used for
• Ex. I go to school. (to study)
• The definite article is used when they denote the
  building
• Ex. They went to the church to repair the roof.

36
Names of Parts of the Body

• The definite article is used in prepositional
  phrases associated with the object, in passive
  constructions, with the subject
• Ex. The woman took the boy by the hand.
• The dog bit her on the leg.
• The definite article is used when a touch, blow
  or pain is referred to
• Ex. She had a pain in the side.

37
The Names with the Specific Periods

• The definite article is used with the names of
  decades, centuries, historic periods
• Ex. the bronze age, the nineteenth century
• The definite article is used with past, present,
  future
• Ex. I think about the present and remember about
  the past.

38
The Names with the Specific Periods

• No article is used with present and future after
  at and in
• Ex. Try to remember it in future.
• Note In American English in the future is more
  common than in future

39
Articles with Proper Nouns

• Personal Names
• Normally no article is used
• Ex. Tom grinned.
• The definite article is used
• with a family name in the plural
• Ex. The Forsytes were resentful.
• With the limiting attribute
• Ex. This wasnt the Simon he had known so long.

40
Articles with Proper Nouns

• Personal Names
• with a descriptive attribute indicating a
  permanent quality
• Ex. At that moment they were interrupted by the
  gentle Mrs Shobbe.
• In the meaning the very one
• Ex. Do you mean the Shakespeare?

41
Articles with Proper Nouns

• Personal Names
• The indefinite article is used
• To indicate one member or a certain person
• Ex. His mother was a Devereux.

42
Articles with Proper Nouns

• Personal Names
• Indicating concrete object or a person having
  specific characteristics
• Ex. I bought a Volvo.
• Im not a Michael Angelo.

43
Geographical Names

• No article Continents, countries, states,
  cities, towns
• Ex. (North) America (old) England
• The definite article with some provinces,
  countries
• Ex. the Argentine, The Netherlands, The USA, the
  Crimea, the Ruhr, the Hague

44
Geographical Names

• The definite article with the of-phrase
• Ex. the England of today
• The indefinite article with a descriptive
  attribute
• Ex. a very cheerful England
• The definite article is used with the names of
  rivers, oceans, seas and lakes
• Ex. The Baikal BUT Lake Baikal

45
Geographical Names

• The definite article with the names of deserts
• Ex. The Sahara
• The definite article with the chains of mountains
  and groups of islands
• Ex. The Urals, The West Indies
• No article with one mountain and one island
• Ex. Everest, Sicily

46
Geographical Names

• The definite article with the of-phrase plus the
  Proper name
• Ex. The Cape of Good Hope
• The University of London BUT London University

47
Calendar Items

• Names of months and days of the week generally
  take no article
• Ex. It was Monday.
• Meaning one of many (indefinite article)
• Ex. We met on a Friday.
• With a descriptive attribute (indefinite article)
• Ex. A cold May is a usual thing.
• With a limiting attribute (definite article)
• Ex. He came on the Friday when Tom was born.

48
Articles with Miscellaneous Proper Names

• No article with the names of parks, streets
• Ex. Central Park, Fleet Park
• Exception The Strand, The High Street,
  Whitehall, Downing Street
• But The Gorky Park, the Red Square

49
Articles with Miscellaneous Proper Names

• The definite article with the names of museums,
  theatres, galleries, concert halls, clubs, hotels
• Ex. the Rotary club, the Opera House, the Savoy,
  the Bolshoi theatre, the Tate
• No article with the names of airports and railway
  stations
• Ex. London airport, Victoria station

50
Articles with Miscellaneous Proper Names

• The definite article with the names of ships and
  boats
• Ex. the Titanic, the Sedov
• The definite article with the names of newspapers
  and magazines
• Ex. the Times, the Guardian, the Language
• But Punch, Newsweek

51
Articles with Miscellaneous Proper Names

• The definite article with the names of
  territories consisting of word combination
• Ex. the Lake District, the Yorkshire Forest
• The definite article with abbreviations
• Ex. The BBC, the FBI
• BUT If abbreviations are pronounced as one word
  no article is used
• Ex. NATO, UNESCO

52
Articles with Miscellaneous Proper Names

• No article with the names of chains of shops,
  companies
• Ex. Shell, Sony
• But The Bell Telephone Company
• The definite article with the names of political
  and government bodies and institutions
• Ex. the house of commons
• Exception Parliament, Congress, County, Council

53
Articles with Miscellaneous Proper Names

• No article or the definite article with the names
  of musical groups
• Ex. Queen, the Beatles, the Rolling Stones
• The definite article with the names of sporting
  events
• Ex. the Olympic Games, the Cup Final
• BUT Wimbledon, Ascot and Epsom

54
Articles with Miscellaneous Proper Names

• No article with the names of religious and other
  festivals
• Ex. Easter, Christmas, New Years Day,
  Valentines Day
• The indefinite article is used in I wish you a
  happy Easter! Did you have a good Easter?