Put the article where necessary. Explain your choice.
1. They are good children, no doubt.
- No article needed because "children" is used in a general sense.
2. “Is your brother an agreeable man, Peggotty?” “Oh, what an agreeable man he is!”
- "Brother" is a singular countable noun, and when used in a specific sense, it requires the indefinite article "an".
3. She works as a chemist.
- "Chemist" is a singular countable noun and requires the indefinite article "a" when used in a general sense.
4. On the green surface of the lake a little boat, with white wings faintly fluttering rocked in the dewy breeze.
- "Little boat" is a singular countable noun and requires the indefinite article "a" when used in a general sense.
5. Close beside them grew a rose-bush covered with scarlet hips.
- "Rose-bush" is a singular countable noun and requires the indefinite article "a" when used in a general sense.
6. She has a watch of her own.
- "Watch" is a singular countable noun and requires the indefinite article "a" when used in a general sense.
7. “...they were business men when I was in the nursery.”
- "Business" is used as an adjective modifying "men" and does not require an article. "Nursery" is a specific place and requires the definite article "the".
8. “I’ll overtake you in a minute,” said Godfrey.
- "Minute" is a singular countable noun and requires the indefinite article "a" when used in a general sense.
9. She was engaged as a governess.
- "Governess" is a singular countable noun and requires the indefinite article "a" when used in a general sense.
10. A drowning man catches at a straw.
- "Drowning man" is a singular countable noun and requires the indefinite article "a" when used in a general sense.
11. The telephone was invented in the 19th century.
- "Telephone" and "19th century" are specific and require the definite article "the".
12. I have got a magazine.
- "Magazine" is a singular countable noun and requires the indefinite article "a" when used in a general sense.
13. Real friends should have everything in common.
- "Real" is used as an adjective modifying "friends" and does not require an article.
14. A stitch in time saves nine.
- "Stitch" is a singular countable noun and requires the indefinite article "a" when used in a general sense.
15. This is the house that Jack built.
- "House" is specific and requires the definite article "the".
16. The day broke and we started.
- "Day" is specific and requires the definite article "the".
17. A week or two passed.
- "Week" is a singular countable noun and requires the indefinite article "a" when used in a general sense.
18. He seems to have half a dozen languages at his finger-tips.
- "Dozen" is a singular countable noun and requires the indefinite article "a" when used in a general sense.
19. The tiger has always had the reputation of being a man-eater.
- "Tiger" is specific and requires the definite article "the". "Man-eater" is a singular countable noun and requires the indefinite article "a" when used in a general sense.
20. It is easier to work by day than at night.
- "Day" and "night" are used in a general sense and do not require articles.
21. The bourgeoisie is cowardly.
- "Bourgeoisie" is specific and requires the definite article "the".
22. Miss Sharp’s father was an artist.
- "Artist" is a singular countable noun and requires the indefinite article "an" when used in a general sense.
23. How did you like the play?
- "Play" is specific and requires the definite article "the".
24. The day is meant for work, the night for sleep.
- "Day" and "night" are specific and require the definite article "the".
25. The wedding looked dismal. The bride was too old and the bridegroom was too young.
- "Wedding," "bride," and "bridegroom" are specific and require the definite article "the".
26. The sun was getting warmer.
- "Sun" is specific and requires the definite article "the".
27. He had hardly spoken a word since they left the Riccardo’s door...
- "Word" is a singular countable noun and requires the indefinite article "a". "Riccardo's door" is specific and requires the definite article "the".
28. The pearl-white moon smiles through the green trees.
- "Moon" and "trees" are specific and require the definite article "the".
29. Come downstairs, child.
- "Child" is used in a general sense and does not require an article.
30. The sun had gone and the night had come.
- "Sun" and "night" are specific and require the definite article "the".
31. Tragedy and comedy first appeared in Greece.
- "Tragedy" and "comedy" are specific and require the definite article "the". "Greece" is specific and does not require an article.
32. It was an evening. The river was before them.
- "Evening" is a singular countable noun and requires the indefinite article "an". "River" is specific and requires the definite article "the".
Explain the differences in meaning in the words in italics:
1.
- a drought: Refers to any instance of a drought, without specifying a particular one. It suggests a general condition of drought in the area.
- the drought: Specifies a particular drought that has been previously mentioned or is known to the speaker and listener. It refers to a specific instance of drought, likely the one being discussed in the context.
2.
- the future: Refers to the future in a general or abstract sense, encompassing all potential events and circumstances that will occur. It's used to discuss the concept of the future as a whole.
- a future: Refers to a specific or particular future, as opposed to any other possible futures. It's used when discussing a future scenario or outcome that is being considered or imagined.
3.
- college: Refers to the general concept or institution of college or higher education. It's used in a broad sense to discuss the period or experience of attending college.
- the college: Refers to a specific college or educational institution that is known to the speaker and listener. It's used when referring to a particular college in the context of the conversation.
