Articles

DETERMINERS

When used in discourse, noun phrases refer to the linguistic or situational context. The kind of reference a particular noun phrase has depends on its determinative element, ie the item which determines it. This function is typically realized by a set of closed-class items called DETERMINERS. They appear before the noun acting as the head of the noun phrase (or before its pre-modifiers) in order to specify its number and definiteness.

ARTICLES

REFERENCE

A) GENERIC: all three major forms of article are used:

- Bull terriers make excellent watchdogs. (the most common option)

The bull terrier makes an excellent watchdog. (formal referring to a typical member of the class)

A bull terrier makes an excellent watchdog. (less formal referring to any member of the class)

Generic reference can be tested by the possibility of neutralization of plural opposition.

A/the child learns from his parents = Children learn from their parents.

I have a car. ≠ I have cars.

B) SPECIFIC:

1) definite –

• situational: I missed both the lectures this morning. Shut the windows.

• general knowledge: the President, the government

• anaphoric

• cataphoric

• sporadic (institutions): My sister goes to the theatre every month.

the news, the radio, the television, the press

• defined by modifications

  • by a clause: I appreciate the initiative that you have all shown.

  • by an of- phrase: I admired the cleverness of his scheme.

Definite article used only in the case of one referent X A page of the book was torn.

• Modification expressing exclusiveness : the only exception, the first person to swim …, we have the same problems

• X an only child – not exclusiveness but classification

• last, next usually used as superlatives used as adverbials of time

2) indefinite – expressed by indefinite or zero article, or by some

• Indefiniteness is often caused by the existence of more than one potential referent

• Specific and generic reference can differ in anaphoric means: There was a railway accident near Prague. The cause of the accident is being investigated. X Have you ever had a motor accident? Yes, I had an accident …..

INDEFINITE ARTICLE

• it can be used only with the singular of countable nouns

• it will be used where the reference of X is not uniquely identifiable in the shared knowledge of the speaker and hearer

A house on the corner is for sale.

An intruder has stolen a vase.

• or it can be used for non-referring uses with a descriptive role

Paganini was a great violinist.

Leonard wants to marry a princess who speaks five languages.

• after what and such: what a surprise

• reference to illness and condition: a headache, a cold, (a) toothache X - flu

DEFINITE ARTICLE

- it can be used both with uncountable and countable nouns (sg. + pl.)

- the definite article is mainly used to mark the phrase it introduces as definite, ie as referring to something which can be identified uniquely in the contextual or general knowledge shared by the speaker and hearer.

"the" with generic reference: