articles / Articles with Count Nouns

No

Rule

Article

Examples

I.

Classifying function

• noun without attributes

• noun with a descriptive attribute

Sg – a

Pl – no article

• He gave Kay an injection to make her sleep.

• Behind me was an old garden, with few flowers but with fine trees.

II.

Numerical function

the indefinite article retains its original meaning of oneness)

a

• Within half an hour she was in hospital and remained there for over a month.

III.

Generic function

1. equivalent in meanings to the pronouns any, every

2. equivalent in meaning to the pronoun all

3. denoting the whole class of objects of the same kind: Sg

Note: man and woman un the generic sense have no article

Pl: nationalities, social groups, schools in literature and the arts

a

Pl – no article

the

• A woman’s a much better travelling companion than a man.

• Poets have always made great use of alliteration.

• Man emerged from savagery merely because he was fiercer than the tiger and more cunning than the ape.

• I know of these romantic friendships of the English and the Germans.

IV.

Specifying function

Specification may be provided by;

1) limiting attribute

• post-modifying

• pre-modifying

2) reference to the preceding context

3) the situation

4) the meaning of the nouns (denoting unique things)

Note: with a descriptive attribute bringing out a new or special aspect of the unique object the indefinite article is used within the rheme

the

(Sg & Pl)

• Bertha thought of the two months she had spent there.

• I was afraid to say the wrong thing.

• There are two girls. Stand up the two new girls.

• She jumped up and moved in haste towards the door.

• The sun was pleasant and there wasn’t a cloud in the sky.

• The full moon shone down from an unclouded sky.