SNS COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING Articles r.N.RAJA RAVI SHANKAR AP/ENGLISH SCD www.snsscd.wordpress.com 5/14/2018 R.N.RAJA RAVI SHANKAR AP/ENGLISH/ SCD

Common Noun or Noun Phrase Use of Articles Common Noun or Noun Phrase Uncountable Countable Singular Plural the (specific) zero (Ø) (generic) a/an (non-specific) the (specific) the Ø 5/14/2018 R.N.RAJA RAVI SHANKAR AP/ENGLISH/ SCD

R.N.RAJA RAVI SHANKAR AP/ENGLISH/ SCD Articles Are used with certain categories of proper nouns Are used with common nouns or noun phrases Consist of the indefinite article (a/an) and the definite article (the) Are absent in non-specific cases and are indicated by the Ø (zero article) 5/14/2018 R.N.RAJA RAVI SHANKAR AP/ENGLISH/ SCD

Rules for Using Articles These categories of proper nouns do not require “the” Categories People’s names Cities and states Singular names of countries Months/days Streets Religious buildings Mountains Parks Lakes Examples John Locke Bangkok, Negri Sembilan Indonesia, Australia May, Tuesday Pickering Street, Holland Road St. Andrew’s Cathedral Mount Fuji Hyde Park Lake Victoria 5/14/2018 R.N.RAJA RAVI SHANKAR AP/ENGLISH/ SCD

Rules for Using Articles The proper nouns below require “the”. Categories Museums and galleries Buildings Highways Seas and oceans Rivers and deserts Periods and events in history Bridges Countries with United, Union, Kingdom, Republic Island groups ending in (e)s Examples the Asian Civilization Museum the University Cultural Centre the Pan-Island Expressway the South China Sea the Mississippi, the Gobi desert the Dark Ages the Manhattan Bridge the United States, the People’s Republic of China the Philippines 5/14/2018 R.N.RAJA RAVI SHANKAR AP/ENGLISH/ SCD

Rules for Using Articles Depend on generic or specific reference Comment on the use of the articles in the sentences below. A paper on global warming was presented at a conference. The paper on global warming was presented at the conference. 5/14/2018 R.N.RAJA RAVI SHANKAR AP/ENGLISH/ SCD

R.N.RAJA RAVI SHANKAR AP/ENGLISH/ SCD Specific Reference Is recognizable by both the writer and the reader through shared knowledge. The sun rises in the east. (Fact) The lab report should be submitted today. (Both the writer and the reader know which lab report is being referred to.) 5/14/2018 R.N.RAJA RAVI SHANKAR AP/ENGLISH/ SCD

R.N.RAJA RAVI SHANKAR AP/ENGLISH/ SCD Specific Reference Is used after a general reference is made. EG1471 students are required to write an essay in the semester. The essay will be revised a few times. 5/14/2018 R.N.RAJA RAVI SHANKAR AP/ENGLISH/ SCD

R.N.RAJA RAVI SHANKAR AP/ENGLISH/ SCD Specific Reference Is used when the noun has been modified by an adjectival phrase or clause. The portfolios that students have to prepare consist of different assignments. 5/14/2018 R.N.RAJA RAVI SHANKAR AP/ENGLISH/ SCD

Nonspecific and Generic References Happen when neither the writer nor the reader identify the noun as something known, unique or familiar. Ø University students receive Ø tuition grants for their studies. 5/14/2018 R.N.RAJA RAVI SHANKAR AP/ENGLISH/ SCD

Nonspecific and Generic Reference Use a/an with a singular countable noun that is non-specific. An engineering textbook was left at the counter. A lecturer gave the freshmen an overview of the course. 5/14/2018 R.N.RAJA RAVI SHANKAR AP/ENGLISH/ SCD

Nonspecific and Generic Reference Do not use an article when a plural countable noun is non-specific. Ø Graduates are held in high esteem by Ø employers. 5/14/2018 R.N.RAJA RAVI SHANKAR AP/ENGLISH/ SCD

Nonspecific and Generic Reference Do not use an article when an uncountable noun is non-specific. The internet is a rich resource of Ø information. 5/14/2018 R.N.RAJA RAVI SHANKAR AP/ENGLISH/ SCD

Nonspecific and Generic Reference Do not use an article when a generalization is made about an uncountable noun. Ø Water is scarce in many countries. Ø Oil is a finite resource. 5/14/2018 R.N.RAJA RAVI SHANKAR AP/ENGLISH/ SCD

Abstract Generic vs. Concrete Generic Abstract Generic: The Entire Class The wasp can detect unique volatile compounds over great distances. The laser has many uses in medicine. The computer has been invaluable in scientific advancement. Concrete Generic: A Representative Class A wasp can be trained to detect odors. A laser can be used by a surgeon to make very clean cuts. Computers are playing a growing role in all aspects of university life 5/14/2018 R.N.RAJA RAVI SHANKAR AP/ENGLISH/ SCD

Superlatives, Ordinals and Sole References The definite article “the” is always used with the above categories. Mount Everest is the highest mountain in the world. (superlative) Statistics is the second most difficult subject. (ordinal) The main (only/sole/chief) reason I do engineering is to contribute to mankind. (sole reference) 5/14/2018 R.N.RAJA RAVI SHANKAR AP/ENGLISH/ SCD

R.N.RAJA RAVI SHANKAR AP/ENGLISH/ SCD Omission of Articles Some common types of nouns that don't take an article are: Names of languages and nationalities: Chinese, English, Spanish, Russian Names of sports: volleyball, hockey, baseball Names of academic subjects: mathematics, biology, history, computer science 5/14/2018 R.N.RAJA RAVI SHANKAR AP/ENGLISH/ SCD

R.N.RAJA RAVI SHANKAR AP/ENGLISH/ SCD Do not use the: Breakfast, lunch, dinner Go to work, get to work, be at work, start work, finish work… Got to school, be at school, start school, leave school… Go to university, be at university… Go to church, be in chuch (or mass) Go to bed, be in bed Go to hospital, be in hospital Go to prison, be in prison Go home, get home, arrive home, come home, walk home, leave home, be at home, stay at home 5/14/2018 R.N.RAJA RAVI SHANKAR AP/ENGLISH/ SCD