SUMMER EXAMINATIONS 1st year / ГРАММАТИКА летняя / article level 2 / article_level 2_theory

THE ARTICLE LEVEL 2 THEORY

1

THE INDEFINITE ARTICLE

USE

NOTES

to introduce something, when people do not yet

know what you are referring to

when you are not referring to a particular thing or

is typical after verbs „want‟, „look for‟ and „need‟ and in

person, but just to any thing or person of a

questions and negatives

particular type

to describe things and people

is common after verbs „be‟, „seem‟, „look‟, „sound‟ or the

description, someone‟s job or profession

in the meaning of „one‟

in the numbers „a hundred‟, „a thousand‟, „a million‟, „a dozen‟

to express rates (between two nouns), you can talk

Example: She worked 14 hours a day.

about prices, salaries and speeds

… rising by 1 per cent a year.

THE DEFINITE ARTICLE

USE

NOTES

about what has been said earlier in a conversation or

* another noun may be used:

text – referring back

There was an enormous cat crouching on the

counter… The animal looked up at Mrs Bixby.

* things associated with a previous mention

She extended an arm, the hand was full of grapes

the context or situation in which you are speaking or

* wider situation

writing

I’ve got to collect my wife from the station.

‘Where’s the phone?’ ‘It’s on the desk’

referring to unique items

But:

on earth

(the Devil, the Earth, the equator, the moon, the north

pole, the planets, the Pope, the sky, the solar system,

the south pole, the stars, the sun, the Universe, the

weather, the world)

the language that you use with the nouns, as part of

certain nouns with unique reference:

the noun group

1. nouns with qualification

(back, beginning, bottom, edge, end, front, height, length,

a) prepositional phrases when the noun involved

middle, price, size, title, top, weight)

refers to an action, event or state and the „of‟-phrase

indicates the performer of the action or the thing

affected:

the death of the person

b) relative clause

the success which has been achieved

c) clauses with non-finite verbs (infinitives or

participles)

2. superlative degrees

3. unique adjectives

(first, the following, last, main, the next, only, opposite,

present, principal, right, the same, sole, ultimate, usual,

wrong)

This is not a rule, only a strong tendency.

at the beginning of stories

The boy with fair hair lowered himself down the last few feet

of rock and began to pick his way towards the lagoon.

stressed „the‟ meaning „best‟

It’s the [ði:] place to go.

Billiards is the game.

THE ARTICLE LEVEL 2 THEORY

2

ARTICLES WITH GENERIC REFERENCE

PATTERN

EXAMPLE

1) no article + plural count noun

It’s astonishing what dogs can know.

2) no article + uncount noun

Passion, whether it’s love or hatred, can involve a lot of

suffering.

3) the indefinite article + singular count noun

A dog likes to eat far more than a human being.

(„any‟, a representative of its class

common in explanations of meanings and in some

dictionary definitions)

4) the definite article + singular count noun

The red squirrel is dying out.

* about species of animals and birds, inventions and

The telephone was invented by Bell.

technological developments

* generalizing on a topic of professional relevance,

The primary responsibility lies with the employer.

usually in formal context

* doctors or other people are generalizing

This chapter deals with the lower part of the leg.

professionally about parts of the body.

* when talking about regular participants or roles in a

situation, e.g. when writing about education someone

might want to refer in general to „the teacher‟, „the

learner‟ or „the classroom‟

5) the definite article + plural nationality noun or

(aged, blind, brave, dead, deaf, disabled, educated, elderly,

adjective

free, handicapped, homeless, hungry, injured, living, needy,

old, oppressed, poor, powerful, rich, sick, starring, strong,

uneducated, unemployed, weak, wealthy, wounded, young)

„man‟ meaning all human beings – no article… if man does not face reality

ARTICLES WITH NON-COUNT ABSTRACT NOUNS

Example

Notes

1. Generic reference

Knowledge is power.

* often after the prepositions: of, with, in

2. Descriptive attribute

Do you like contemporary art?

*if the attribute qualifies the noun from the

point of view of nationality, geography, time,

degree, authenticity.

3. Descriptive attribute + a

The English literature of the 19-

limiting of-phrase

th century.

4. Descriptive attribute, which

She looked several years

*often modified by: certain, curious, peculiar

brings out a special aspect

younger and there was a new

or a descriptive attributive clause

dignity about her.

5. Specifying function

I was wrapped in the security of

*often with a limiting of-phrase

childhood.

6. There are some abstract nouns

It was raw weather.

*weather, money, news, work, luck, fun, advice,

which are never used with the

We hid his watch for fun.

applause, assistance, information, permission,

indefinite article

progress, research

7. Some nouns, which are

What a shame!

pity, pleasure, comfort, relief, shame

generally non-count, can be used

with the indefinite article in set

phrases

THE ARTICLE LEVEL 2 THEORY

3

ARTICLES WITH NOUNS DENOTING MATERIAL.

Example

Notes

1.

Generic reference

This is lead, not silver.

2.

Descriptive attribute

The men moved heavily as

though they were walking in

thick mud.

3.

When a change of meaning

They are now giving you bad

1. to denote sorts of materials and foods

occurs, some non-count nouns

teas at the club.

2. to denote a portion of food or drink

may become count

If you want to please the boy,

3. to denote an object, made of some sort of

buy him an ice.

material

He survived by eating a small tin

of fruit every day.

4.

Specifying function

The water in this glass has now

*location, quantity

turned pink.

Pass me the salt, please.

1.

Names of meals usually take no article:

Dinner is ready.

Breakfast tomorrow will be at 8

o'clock.

2.

When names of meals are modified by a descriptive attribute

I prefer to have a square lunch.

they are used with the indefinite article:

3.

When some particular meal is meant or it is defined by a

The dinner was very sound.

particularizing attribute the definite article is used.

The breakfast that James cooked was

delicious.

4.

Names of meals may denote 'dinner party', 'tea party', etc., thus

Why not give a dinner in his

becoming count nouns: the use of articles is then the same as with

honour?

other count nouns:

1.

When the general idea of these places is meant, i.e. the

Why aren't the children at school

purpose they are used for.

today?

Mrs. Kelly goes to church every

Sunday.

2.

When we mean buildings, institutions.

Mr. Kelly went to the school to

meet his daughter‟s teacher.

Nora is now working as a cleaner

at a hospital.

THE ARTICLE LEVEL 2 THEORY

4

ARTICLES WITH NAMES OF SEASONS AND PARTS OF DAY.

Use

Example

Notes

1.

When used predicatively

It was summer.

or preceded by names of the

It was Monday

days of the week or the words

morning.

“yesterday”, “tomorrow”.

It happened yesterday

afternoon.

2.

When modified by a

It was a fine clear

* when modified by: early, late, broad, high no

descriptive attribute

morning.

article is used:

We had a short summer

e.g. It was broad day when he arrived.

this year.

3.

Specifying function.

The night was warm

But no article is used when they denote “light”

and beautifully still.

or “darkness”.

It happened in the

Night/morning came at last.

summer of 2012.

Day/dawn was breaking when we set out.

Night/twilight was falling quickly.

4.

The use of articles with

(The) winter came

*The definite article is also optional in

names of seasons is optional in

early that year.

adverbial prepositional phrases:

combination with such verbs as:

In (the) autumn young Ben was to go to a

to come, to approach, to pass, to

In those parts (the)

prep school.

be over, to come to an end, to

spring usually sets in

set in

early.

5.

Note the use of articles in

in the morning, in the evening, in the daytime,

in the afternoon, in the night, at night, at dawn,

some prepositional phrases:

before dawn, after sunset, from morning to

night, early in the morning, late at night, all

through the day, day after day, night after

night, through the autumn, for the winter,

during the summer.

ARTICLES WITH NAMES OF NATIONALITIES AND LANGUAGES.

1.

Nationalities ending in -ese, -sh, -ch, -ss are always

the Japanese, the English, the Dutch,

used with the definite article.

the Swiss

2.

Nationalities having other endings can be used with

The Belarusians are known for their

the definite article for the whole nation and with the

hospitality.

zero article for certain representatives.

I‟ve never had a chance to speak to

Americans.

3.

The indefinite article is used with an individual

In the international camp I made

representative of the nation.

friends with two boys from other

countries – а Chinese and a Spaniard.

4.

For specific reference the is used.

The Chinese I met taught me to play

chess.

5.

Names of languages are used with the zero article but

I can speak a bit of Italian and at the

with the word ”language” the definite article is used.

moment I am mastering the German

language.

THE ARTICLE LEVEL 2 THEORY

5

1.General meaning

There was a letter from Susan inviting

me to a party.

2. if names of persons are

When dear old Emily went back to town

modified by such attributes as

after staying with them for a fortnight,

little, old, young, dear, poor,

she sent the children a doll's house.

honest

3.with names of members of a

I like when Mum and Dad are at home.

family, such as Mother, Father,

1.

ZERO article

Aunt, Uncle, Grandmother,

NOTE. Bring the mother to the university –

Grandfather,Baby, Nurse,

we have to discuss your academic

Cook, when they are treated as

performance with her.

proper names by the members of

that family.

1.with a name in the plural to

The Elliots were intelligent people.

indicate the whole family.

2.

The definite

2.with a name modified by a

Is he the Jones who is a writer?

limiting attribute.

article

3.when the attribute indicates a

Why don‟t we ask this question the clever

permanent

quality

of

the

James?

person in question

1.to indicate that one member

I have often wondered if Arthur was

of a family is meant.

really a Burton.

2.with a name modified by a

He was met at the door by an angry

descriptive attribute when it is

Isabel.

the centre of communication in

the sentence and usually denotes

a temporary characteristic.

3. to denote 'a certain' if a

He was a lawyer, a Mr Reid from

3.

The indefinite

name is preceded by Mr, Mrs or

Melbourne.

Miss.

article

4. If countable nouns indicating

He wanted to know how much a Mercedes

concrete objects are

meant

cost.

(often with

brands of

cars,

He was the owner of a minor Picasso.

clothes, pictures and pieces of

music.

5. When typical features are

He is a real Kazanova.

associated with a well-known

name.

THE ARTICLE LEVEL 2 THEORY

7

1. Continents

zero

Europe, Asia

the African continent

2. Countries

a)

zero

France, Italy, China,

the Republic of Belarus

Belarus

Holland but the Netherlands,

b)

the

the USA, the UK, the

Argentina but the Argentine

Philippines

c)

the or zero

(the) Sudan, (the) Ivory

Coast, (the) Ukraine

3. Political and

zero

California, Hampshire

* geographical regions (not political

administrative regions

or administrative) take the definite

of countries

article:

The Midlands, the Middle east, the

South of England

4. Cities, towns and

zero

Rome, Paris

the Hague, the Vaticacan

villages

5. Suburbs

zero

North London

the Bronx, the Wast End (of London)

6. Streets, roads,

a) zero

Charing Cross Road,

the High Street, the Mall, the Strand,

squares and parks

Broadway, Trafalgar

the Avenue

Square, Central Park

* names of foreign streets and

(the) Edgware Road, (the)

squares tend to keep the definite

b) the or zero

Old Kent Road

article if there is one in the original

language

* when streets are parts of addresses,

the sometimes can and sometimes

must be let out:

24 (the) High Street,

104 Edgware Road

7. Highways and

the

the A 1, the New Jersey

motorways

Turnpike

8. Bridges

zero

Tower Bridge, Brooklyn

the Golden Gate Bridge, the Severn

Bridge

Bridge, the Bridge of Sighs, the

Forth Bridge

9. Islands

a) separate islands

zero

Bermuda, Sicily

the Isle of Man, the Isle of Wight

b)groups of islands

the

the Canary Islands

10. Mountains and

*Definite articles are usually

hills

translated in the English versions of

a) separate mountains

zero

(Mount) Everest, Ben

European mountain names, except

and hills

Nevis, North Hill

those beginning Le Mont:

b)mountain ranges

the Alpes, the Rockies

The Matterhorn

and hill ranges

the

Mont Blanc

11. Deserts

the

the Sahara, the Gobi

Desert

12. Bays

zero

San Francisco Bay,

the Bay of Biscay, the Bay of Fundy

Morecambe Bay

13. Rivers, canals,

the

the Thames, the Panama

streams, oceans, seas,

Canal, the North Sea, the

and other sea features

Mediterranean, the Strait

THE ARTICLE LEVEL 2 THEORY

8

of Dover

14.

Lakes

zero

Michigan, Lake Ontario

the Great Salt Lake, the Lake of

Geneva

15.

Airports and

zero

Heathrow (Airport),

stations

Gatwick (Airport)

Waterloo (Station)

16.

Religious,

zero

Merton College,

the University of York,

educational and

Cambridge University,

the Palace of Westminster,

official buildings

Westminster Abbey

The Abbey of Cluny

17. Museums,

the

the Tate Gallery, the

galleries, theatres and

British Museum, the

cinemas

Odeon, the Globe

18.

Hotels, restaurants,

the

the Ritz, the Royal Oak,

*person‟s name – zero:

centres and pubs

the Brunel shopping

Luigi’s, Matilda’s Restaurant

centre

1.

Possessive pronouns, not articles are generally used to

She wore a string of pearls

modify nouns denoting parts of the body, personal

round her neck.

belongings.

I sprained my ankle skiing in

the mountains.

2.

The definite article is used in prepositional phrases,

The woman took the boy by the

associated with the object or, in passive constructions,

hand.

with the subject:

The dog bit her on the leg.

3.

The definite article is also used to refer to a touch, blow or pain:

She had a pain in the side.

ARTICLES WITH NAMES OF SPECIFIC PERIODS.

1.

Names of decades, centuries, and historic periods referring

Her best novels were written in

to only one particular period have the definite article

the eighties of the nineteenth

century.

2.

Past, present and future generally take the definite article.

I'm not making any plans for

the future now, I only think

about the present or remember

the past.

3.

Present and future can be used after at and in respectively

Try to remember it in future.

without any article:

It's not possible to grant your

request at present, I'm afraid.

*Note: in American English in

the future is more common than

in future.

THE ARTICLE LEVEL 2 THEORY

9

ARTICLES WITH OTHER GROUP OF NOUNS

work/bed/home

do not use the with work if you are talking about

I went to work early today.

the place where you work or the activity of

I was at work yesterday.

working

Let’s start work now.

use the with work if you are talking about a

She really enjoys the work she does.

specific type of work or a particular piece of work

I found the work difficult and left

the company.

do not use the with bed if you are talking about

being in it

I want to bed late last night.

I was still in bed when they arrived.

use the with bed if you are talking about one as a

I moved the bed to the other side of the

piece of furniture

room.

They sat on the bed talking.

do not use the with home in these phrases:

After that, we went home.

NOTE: Do not use to+home

I stayed at home all day.

When are you coming home?

use the with house

NOT We went to home.

I left the house early this morning.

transport

do not use the after by to talk about the kind of

I went by car/bike/bus/train/plane/coach

transport used for a journey

/boat/ship/ferry/taxi/air/sea/tube.

we use the or a possessive pronoun when we talk

I went in the/his car.

about the particular means of transport

I went on my bike.

the phrase on foot means „walking‟

I went on the

I went on foot. (NOT by foot)

bus/train/boat/ship/ferry/plane/tube.

music

the is used with musical instruments after the verb

She plays the piano very well.

play

do not use the with types of music

He likes rock/classical music.

sport and games

do not use the before sports and games

She’s very good at chess/football.

radio/television/theatre/cinema

I heard it on the radio.

use the with radio, theatre and cinema but not

Have you been to the theatre lately?

usually with television

Let’s go to the cinema tonight.

I watched television last night.

academic subjects

do not use the with academic subjects, for

She’s doing a course in economics.

example: chemistry/maths/economics

(NOT the economics)

parts of society

use the with nouns referring to parts of society,

The public approved of the idea.

for example: the public/the government/the rich/

the poor, etc.

THE ARTICLE LEVEL 2 THEORY

10

ARICLES IN SET EXPRESSIONS

1. The indefinite article is used in the following set expressions:

as a matter of fact

to have a headache

at a glance

to tell a lie

at a distance

to be at a loss

in a whisper

to do smb a favour

in a mess

to make a mistake

in a while

to give smb a hand

in a rush / in a hurry

on a journey/trip/excursion

once a year/ week

an only child

2. The definite article is used in the following set expressions:

at the age of

most of the time

in the singular

on the safe side

in the plural

the day after tomorrow

by the side of

the other day

by the time

the right route/way

in the day time

the wrong word / opinion

in the doorway

to lay the table

in the distance

to the right / left of

in the shade

to make the most of smth

in the past/present

to do the washing up / the cooking /

by accident

on board the ship

by phone/by radio

on condition (that)

for fear of

on fire

from east to west

on foot

from memory

on holiday

from head to foot

on impulse

from time to time

out of breath

in addition

out of control

in advance

out of date

in any case

out of doors

in brief

out of fashion

in detail

out of place

in fact

step by step

in fashion

to ask for permission

in future

to be at school/home/college

in general

to have fun

in horror

to make fun of smb

in love

to pay attention (to)

in person

to shake hands (with)

in secret

under age

in sight

under control

in tears

with difficulty

on behalf (of)

without delay