X (the zero article)

1. Is used with 1) countable nouns in the plural form and 2) uncountable nouns in the nominating function

(1) My mother gave me some __pennies to buy apples (it’s parallel to the use of the indefinite article with singular countable nouns).

(2) __Life goes on, changeless and ever changing.

SUMMARY

Countable Nouns may have 3 articles

Nsg – a/an – the nominating function

They couldn't travel without a car there.

the – the individualizing function

While her suit-case was being taken out of the car, she looked round.

Npl – X – the nominating function

They couldn’t travel without cars there.

the – the individualizing function

While their suits were being taken of the cars, they looked around.

The noun things (= circumstances, conditions, events in general)

– the zero article (X)

Your refusal will only make ___ things worse.

You take _ things too seriously.

Uncountable Nouns (Abstract&Concrete) – 3 articles

X - the nominating function.

__ Milk is made of __ butter

A – the aspective function.

She talked about her past with a sweet sadness.

THE – the restricting function.

A detective story is the best means to while away the time.

Attributes modifying the noun

Limiting →the	Descriptive → a/the
- indicates such a quality or characteristic of an object which makes it distinct from all other objects of this class	- is used to describe an object or give additional information (doesn't single out an object, but narrows it)
She lost her temper: It's the most unpleasant thing you've told me. (reference is made to a particular object)	To the left there was a long room with a narrow table strewn with periodicals A or the? – the choice of article does not depend on this kind of attribute, but depends on the context or situation He was going to build a new house. Shortly after he moved to the new house he felt ill.

§2. The use of the Definite article with Countable Nouns

2.1. Traditional use

1. Is used by reason of locality i.e. with reference to the objects that surround the speaker.

• refers to objects indoors: the corner, the window, the table, the door, the wall.

• or outdoors: the stars, the street, the trees, the flower, the houses, the leaves, the birds, the bees.

The late sun streamed across the kitchen, and a patch of light danced on the wall.

A bee buzzed among the flowers.

The gulls flew low over the barges.

2. With nouns denoting objects found in a particular place:

   • the sentence: the subject, the predicate (but an attribute, an adverb modifier)

   • Cinema/theatre – the attendant

   • Café/restaurant – the waiter

   • Department store – the men's clothing department

   • House – the kettle, the radio, the paper