THE ENGLISH THE ENGLISH ARTICLESARTICLES

The English ArticlesThe English Articles

Indefinite ArticleIndefinite Article == a/ana/an Definite ArticleDefinite Article == thethe Zero ArticleZero Article == ØØ

Classification of NounsClassification of Nouns

NOUNSNOUNS

Common NounsCommon Nouns Proper Proper NounsNouns

CountCount NoncouNoncountnt

Sing.Sing. PluralPlural Sing.Sing. PluralPlural

DefinitDefinitee

thethe thethe thethe ØØ thethe

IndefinIndefiniteite

a/ana/an some/some/ØØ

some/some/ØØ

Mass to Count Noun Mass to Count Noun ShiftsShifts

If we conceive of such a noun as “ a kind and If we conceive of such a noun as “ a kind and a type of, or a unit and a serving of ”, we a type of, or a unit and a serving of ”, we make it countable.make it countable.

MASS ( generic) MASS ( generic) COUNT (type)COUNT (type)

cheesecheese a cheesea cheesetea tea a teaa teacoffeecoffee a coffeea coffeechocolatechocolate a chocolate a chocolate

Mass to Count Noun Mass to Count Noun ShiftsShifts

There can be some meaning change when There can be some meaning change when we think a noun as count or noncount. The we think a noun as count or noncount. The meaning change is not predictable.meaning change is not predictable.

MASSMASS COUNT (s.)COUNT (s.) COUNT (pl.)COUNT (pl.)

glassglass a glassa glass glassesglasses

(cam)(cam) (bardak)(bardak) (gözlük)(gözlük)

ironiron an ironan iron ironsirons

(demir)(demir) (ütü)(ütü) (golf sopası)(golf sopası)

The Meaning of ArticlesThe Meaning of Articles

Generic MeaningGeneric Meaning

The lion is a ferocious animal.The lion is a ferocious animal. A lion is a ferocious animal.A lion is a ferocious animal. Lions are ferocious animals. Lions are ferocious animals.

The Meaning of ArticlesThe Meaning of Articles

Nongeneric MeaningNongeneric Meaning

The lion escaped from the zoo.The lion escaped from the zoo. A lion escaped from the zoo.A lion escaped from the zoo. Lions escaped from the zoo.Lions escaped from the zoo.

The Meaning of the Indefinite The Meaning of the Indefinite ArticlesArticles

Nonspecific noun phrases (a /an , some, Nonspecific noun phrases (a /an , some, ØØ))

Let’s rent a movie or listen to some /Let’s rent a movie or listen to some /ØØ music. music.

Difference between some and Difference between some and ØØ

I need stamps.I need stamps.I need some stamps.I need some stamps.

A particular type or class as opposed to another A particular type or class as opposed to another type.type.

I am a teacher.I am a teacher.This is a pencil. This is a pencil.

The Meanings of the The Meanings of the Definite ArticleDefinite Article

Cultural UseCultural Use the sun, the moon, the White Housethe sun, the moon, the White HouseSituational UseSituational Use Don’t go in there. The dog will bite you.Don’t go in there. The dog will bite you. Pass me the salt.Pass me the salt.Textual UseTextual Use I left a book on my desk this morning. I returned I left a book on my desk this morning. I returned

home to get the book at noon.home to get the book at noon.Structural UseStructural Use The first person, The most beautiful, The best, The first person, The most beautiful, The best,

etc.etc. It is the first time that I have ever seen snow. It is the first time that I have ever seen snow. It is the same book. It is the same book.