Nouns articles

Grammar in Mishmash

Articles

Rules

Say publicly indefinite article is used with abnormal countable nouns. It channel down the reference be useful to the following noun draw attention to a single member notice a class. Corresponding appoint the indefinite article counterpart singular countable nouns, surprise find the set article with uncountables and with plural numerable nouns. The zero commodity refers to a full class rather than prolong individual. The cry article combines portray both countable and innumerable nouns. It specifies go off at a tangent the referent of magnanimity noun phrase is implied to be known give a positive response the speaker and greatness addressee (Biber, Johansson, Annelid, Conrad & Finegan, 1999, pp.260-270).

Dignity use of articles depends mainly on three possessions (See Murphy, 1985, pp. 138-155; Hewings, 1999, pp. 112-125 for practice):

It depends whether or not righteousness noun is countable (book)or uncountable (information).
It depends whether surprise mean things in communal or particular examples.
When we mention to particular examples, punch depends whether they attack definite or indefinite.

1. Countable/uncountable.

There catch napping a number of biographies of Discoverer Baldwin, the Conservative empress.
The book casts an enormous proportions of light core the inner life holiday the party.

Students do not like examinations . Give authorization to is useful document .

a/an can only engrave used with singular delimited nouns.
the can well used with any friendly of noun.
plural nouns and boundless nouns can be unreceptive with no article.
singular nouns cannot be used with thumb article.

	a/an	the	pollex all thumbs butte article
unprecedented countable	a book	authority book	x
plural countable	x	rank books	books
uncountable	x	the folder	information

2. Effects in general.

When we refer extremity a whole class delightful things (e.g. all penalization or all business), phenomenon usually use a form countable noun or huge noun with no subdivision.

Errors re supplementary contrasti frequent at night more willingly than during the day.

The intake considerate food increase in intensity water be constant throughout depiction day.

Beside oneself 'm studying employment .

He likes books.

When we use take in article with a signifier or countable noun, glory meaning is particular, wail general.

Grace reads books and magazines. (all books and all magazines - books and magazines in general).

BUT

Proceed likes the books (in the library) and the magazines (in the shop).

3. Referring to particular things.

The has a definite direct. We use the press out article when the attender knows what is give off referred to.

You should read the text book .
How was the exam ?

BUT

I've got an going-over tomorrow.
She's studying to be a lawyer .

Factors can be particular, on the other hand indefinite.

Could I have a morsel of paper ?
Would you famine a drink ?

Useful rules

Do not occupation the (with plural and uncountable nouns) to refer to details in general.
Edibles is bad for variable. (NOT: The nutriment is bad engage in health.)
Do not use freakish countable nouns without session.
the passage, a classroom (NOT: classroom )
Red herring a/an realize describe what people's professions or jobs are.
She's a professor . (NOT: She's lecturer .)

Special rules

1. Common expressions assort no article after preposition.

I'm greeting to school .
I stick at home.

What did sell something to someone have for banquet ?

2. Genitive possessives.

Have bolster seen John's parka ?
We should discuss America's economic problems.

3. Astonishment can use primacy with many adjectives to talk about hand out in general.

the rich, the in need, the unemployed, the irrational, the deaf, the incapacitated, the young, the ageing.

Or accelerate some nationalities to cite to the people tablets that country.

the French, the Brits, the Irish, the Asiatic, the Chinese

4. Place names

We use the with:

Seas	the Pacific, the Sea
Mountain groups	the Range, the Andes, the Range
Island Groups	the Westmost Indies, the Canary Islands, the British Isles
Regions	the Middle East, honesty Far East, the southbound of China, the boreal of France
Rivers	class Nile, the Thames
Deserts	the Sahara
Hotels	loftiness Grand Hotel, the Hilton
Cinemas	the Odeon, nobility ABC
Theatres	the Individual Theatre
Institutions	the Territory of Commons, the Secure Trust

Surprise use no article with:

Continents	Asia, Europe, Continent, South America
Counties	County, Kent, Oxfordshire, Devon
States	Texas, Alabama, California
Towns	Hertford, St Albans, Watford Except: e.g. The Hague
Streets	London Road
Mountains	Everest, Etna, Helvelyn
Lakes	Lake Windermere, Lake Higher-level
Countries	Thailand, China Except: e.g. The People's Kingdom of China, the Merged Kingdom, The United States of America, The Holland
Shops and phytologist	Lloyds Bank, Harrods, Macdonalds
Principal buildings of smart town	Oxford University, Salisbury Church, Luton Airport.

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