3) Abstract nouns

1) When abstract nouns are used in a general sense, no article is used.

While there is life there is hope.

2) When abstract nouns are modified by a particularizing attribute or when the situation makes the idea definite, they are used with the definite article.

Last night I heard Carmen and enjoyed the music.

Abstract nouns modified by an attribute in pre-position are used without articles unless they are modified by particularizing attributes: English literature, Russian art, Soviet music.

The abstract noun weather is never used with the indefinite article.

What fine weather!

When the noun weather is used in a general sense, the definite article is used.

There are people who say that the weather can influence people's mood.

3) Abstract nouns can be used with the indefinite article. In this case the abstract noun denotes a certain kind (оттенок) of a quality, feeling, state, etc. The noun nearly always has a descriptive attribute.

In her eyes there was an eagerness, which could hardly be seen without delight.

4) With countable abstract nouns the use of the articles is the same as with class nouns.

It is a capital idea if only one could carry it out.

5) The indefinite article is used with the nouns period, population, distance, height, salary etc. followed by of + numeral + noun.

Simpson was out of the city for a period of ten days. (Dreiser)

Exercise 1. Insert articles where necessary.

1. In less than … week Cowperwood knew … financial condition of Messrs. Water – man as well as they did, better, to … dollar. (Dreiser) 2. He [White] had … comfortable feeling of working alone in … large empty building, … feeling of … peace and … complete privacy. (Wilson) 3. We had … wonderful weather. (Du Maurier) 4. However, … life of such striking monotony does not seem to depress him. (Durrell) 5. May you be happy in … life you have chosen. (Dickens) 6. His round blue eyes behind … spectacles were ghastly with … terror. (Maugham) 7. She was brilliantly familiar with … literature, … tongues, … art, …history, … physics, … metaphysics, … philosophy, and … politics (in which I include modern politics). (Bennett) 8. It was … cold, bleak, biting weather. (Dickens) 9. … weather was sunny and dry. (Hardy) 10. … reason is … greatest discovery ever made by … man.

Exercise 2. Translate into English.

1. Я очень ценю в людях скромность и простоту. 2. Природа играла большую роль в творчестве романтиков. 3. Музыкант должен знать историю оперы. 4. С ней он мог говорить о литературе, об искусстве, о чем угодно, мог жаловаться ей на жизнь, на людей. (Чехов) 5. Я хочу быть артисткой, я хочу славы, успехов, свободы. 6. Я с детства люблю музыку. 7. Он изучает историю Англии. 8. Мой брат очень любит архитектуру и мечтает стать архитектором.

III. Use of articles with proper nouns

1) Names of persons

1) Names of persons are used without articles.

His name is John.

2) Names denoting the whole family are used with the definite article.

The Dashwoods were not at home.

3) When names of persons are used to denote a representative of a family, the indefinite article is used.

“Florence will never, never, never be a Dombey,” said Mrs. Chick. (Dickens)

4) Names of persons modified by a particularizing attribute are used with the definite article.

You are not the Andrew Manson I married. (Cronin)

5) Names of persons used as common nouns take the article according to the general rule of the use of articles.

Mozart has been called the Rafael of music.

6) Nouns denoting military ranks and titles such as academician, professor, doctor (both a title and a profession), count, lord, etc. followed by names of persons do not take the article.

Common nouns denoting professions followed by names of persons are used with the definite article.

The painter Gainsborough has left many fine pictures.

7) Nouns denoting titles such as king, prince, president take the definite article: the King, the Prince, the President.

The definite article is not used before titles with proper names: Queen Victoria.

8) Nouns expressing relationships followed by names of persons do not take the article.

He turned to Aunt Polly.

Nouns expressing relationship not followed by names of persons and the nouns nurse, cook, baby do not take the article when used by members of the family.

I want to see Mother.

If other people’s relations are meant, the article is used.

The son is as clever as the father.

9) In most cases no article is used with names of persons modified by the adjectives old, poor, young, dear, little, honest, lazy.

He saw that old Chapin wanted to moralize a little (Dreiser).

When modified by other adjectives and participles names of persons take the definite article.

The astonished Tom could not say a word.

10) Names of persons modified by the adjective certain are used with the indefinite article.

I heard it from a certain Mr. Brown.

Exercise 1. Insert the articles.

1. Margaret was talking to … Osbaldistons. (Snow) 2. … father and … daughter appeared at last. (Wells) 3. Gradman is here, darling, and … mother, and … Aunt Winifred, and … Kit and … Michael. (Galsworthy) 4. Louis seemed rather … grave, still, retiring man, but … Caroline of this evening, which was not … Caroline of every day, thawed his reserve. (Ch. Brontё) 5. … professor Beans is … man to whom you’ll be responsible for your undergraduate teaching. (Wilson) 6. … flustered Clarice stood beside me. (Du Maurier) 7. This was … famous Frank A. Cowperwood whom he had read about. (Dreiser) 8. … certain Joseph Zimmerman suggested that he undertake operating in street railway shares for him. (Dreiser) 9. Elsie said she would ring up … Doctor Worple. (Bennett) 10. … poor Edward muttered something, but what it was nobody knew. (Austen) 11. … captain Cuttle lived on … brink of … little canal. (Dickens) 12. He cared to say no more; he had quite dust enough into … honest Adam’s eyes. (Eliot).

Exercise 2. Translate into English.

1. Он решил сходить к Туркиным. (Чехов) 2. Мой муж ревнив, как Отелло. (Чехов) 3. И мать, и дочь приняли приглашение. 4. Подождите немножко, отец сейчас придёт. 5. Мы сегодня идем в театр. Идёт “Дядя Ваня”. 6. Вы – Коля, тот самый Коля, неуклюжий, застенчивый … Коля? (Куприн)