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Articles 3
Articles 3
I. General information
7 things in general
We usually use no article, not the, to talk about things in general- the does
not mean 'all'.
Books are expensive.
Life is hard.
IV. more about a/an
1 countable and uncountable nouns
Countable nouns are the names of separate objects, people, ideas etc which we
can count.
a cat - three cats
a secretary - four secretaries
a plan - two plans
Uncountable nouns are the names of materials, liquids and other things which
we do not usually see as separate objects.
wool water weather energy
3 uses of a/an
A/an does not add much to the meaning of a noun - it is like a weak form of
'one'. It has several common uses.
a one person or thing
We can use a/an when we talk about one person or thing.
There's a police car outside.
My brother's married to a doctor.
Andy lives in an old house.
b anyone member of a class.
We can use a/an when we talk about anyone member of a class.
A doctor must like people. (= any doctor)
I would like to live in an old house. (= any old house)
c classifying and defining
We can use a/an when we classify or define people and things - when we say
what they are, what job they do, or what they are used for.
She's a doctor.
I'm looking forward to being a grandmother.
A glider is a plane with no engine.
Don't use your plate as an ashtray.
d descriptions
A/an is common before nouns that are used in descriptions.
She's a nice person.
That was a lovely evening.
He's got a friendly face.
2 confusing nouns
Some nouns that are countable in some other languages are uncountable in
English.
I need information and advice.
You've made very good progress.
And note that we never use a/an with weather or English.
We're having terrible weather.
She speaks very good English.
4 the
Instead of no article, we use the when we want to say 'You and I both know
which I mean'. Compare:
I'm working with children. (The hearer doesn't know which ones.)
How are the children? (= the hearer's children)
But we usually use no article, not the, to talk about people, things etc in
general.
Are dogs more intelligent than cats?
Everybody likes music.
2 some/any or no article?
We prefer some/ any when we are thinking about limited but rather indefinite
numbers or quantities - when we don't know, care or say exactly how
much/many. We prefer no article when we are thinking about unlimited
numbers or quantities, or not thinking about numbers/quantities at all.
Compare:
We've planted some roses in the garden. (A limited number; the speaker
doesn't say how many.)
I like roses. (No idea of number.)
We got talking to some students. (A limited number.)
Our next-door neighbours are students. (The main idea is classification,
not number.)
We do not use some/any when it is clear exactly how much/many we are
talking about. Compare:
You've got some great books.
You've got pretty toes. (A definite number - ten. You've got some
pretty toes would suggest that the speaker is not making it clear how
many -perhaps six or seven!)
2 double expressions
Articles are often dropped in double expressions, particularly with prepositions.
with knife and fork
with hat and coat
from top to bottom
on land and sea
arm in arm
inch by inch
3 possessive 's
Nouns lose their articles after possessive's.
the coat that belongs to John = John's coat
the economic problems of America = America's economic problems
But the possessive noun itself may have an article.
the wife of the boss = the boss's wife
4 noun modifiers
When a noun modifies another noun, the first noun's article is dropped.
lessons in how to play the guitar = guitar lessons
a spot on the sun = a sunspot
6 kind of etc
We usually leave out a/an after kind of, sort of, type of and similar
expressions
What kind of (a) person is she?
Have you got a cheaper sort of radio?
They've developed a new variety of sheep.
10 musical instruments
We often use the + singular when we talk about musical instruments in
general, or about playing musical instruments.
The violin is really difficult.
Who's that on the piano?
But the is often dropped when talking about jazz or pop, and sometimes
when talking about classical music.
This recording was made with Miles Davis on trumpet.
She studied oboe and saxophone at the Royal Academy of Music.
13 exclamations
We use at an with singular countable nouns in exclamations after What.
What a lovely dress!
Note that a/an cannot be used in exclamations with uncountable nouns.
What nonsense!
What luck!
14 illnesses
The names of illnesses and pains are usually uncountable, with no article, in
standard British English.
Have you had appendicitis?
I've got toothache again.
A/an is used in a few cases such as a cold, a headache.
I've got a horrible cold.
Have you got a headache?
The can be used informally with a few common illnesses.
I think I've got (the) flu.
She's never had (the) measles.
American usage is different in some cases.
I've got a toothache / an earache / a baclcache / a stomachache. (BrE
I've got toothache/earache etc)
16 measurements
Note the use of the in measuring expressions beginning with by.
Do you sell eggs by the kilo or by the dozen?
He sits watching 7V by the hour.
Can I pay by the month?
A/an is used to relate one measuring unit to another.
sixty pence a kilo
thirty miles an hour
twice a week
17 place names
We use the with these kinds of place names:
• seas (the Atlantic)
• mountain groups (the Himalayas)
• island groups (the West Indies)
• rivers (the Rhine)
• deserts (the Sahara)
• most hotels (the Grand Hotel)
• most cinemas and theatres (the Odeon; the Playhouse)
• most museums and art galleries (the British Museum; the Frick)
We usually use no article with:
• continents, countries, states, counties, departments etc (Africa, Brazil,
Texas, Berkshire, Westphalia)
• towns (Oxford)
• streets (New Street, Willow Road)
• lakes (Lake Michigan)
Exceptions: places whose name is (or contains) a common noun like republic,
state, union (e.g. the People's Republic of China, the United Kingdom, the
United States).
Note also the Netherlands, and its seat of government The Hague.
The is unusual in the titles of the principal public buildings and organizations
of a town, when the title begins with the town name.
Oxford University
Hull Station
Salisbury Cathedral
Manchester City Council
With the names of less important institutions, usage varies.
(The) East Oxford Community Centre.
(The) Newbury School of English.
Names of single mountains vary. Most have no article.
Everest Kilimanjaro Snowdon Table Mountain
But definite articles are usually translated in the English versions of European
mountain names, except those beginning Le Mont. •
The Meije (= La Meije) The Matterhorn (= Das Matterhorn)
BUT Mont Blanc (NOT the .'AtJnt Blane)
19 abbreviated styles
We usually leave out articles in abbreviated styles.
newspaper headlines
MAN KILLED ON MOUNTAIN
headings
Introduction Chapter 2 Section B
picture captions
notices, posters etc
instructions and numbering
Open packet at other end.
Go through door A.
labelling
dictionary entries
lists
Control to Car 27: can you hear me?
Turn to page 26.
notes
Take car to garage; pay phone bill; ...