1. THE ENGLISH ARTICLES

2. The English Articles Indefinite Article = a/an Definite Article = the
Zero Article = Ø

3. Classification of Nouns
Common Nouns
Proper Nouns
Count
Noncount
Sing.
Plural
Definite
the Ø
Indefinite
a/an
some/Ø

4. Mass to Count Noun Shifts
If we conceive of such a noun as “ a kind and a type of, or a unit and a serving of ”, we make it countable.
MASS ( generic) COUNT (type)
cheese a cheese
tea a tea
coffee a coffee
chocolate a chocolate

5. Mass to Count Noun Shifts
There can be some meaning change when we think a noun as count or noncount. The meaning change is not predictable.
MASS COUNT (s.) COUNT (pl.)
glass a glass glasses
(cam) (bardak) (gözlük)
iron an iron irons
(demir) (ütü) (golf sopası)

6. The Meaning of Articles
Generic Meaning
The lion is a ferocious animal.
A lion is a ferocious animal.
Lions are ferocious animals.

7. The Meaning of Articles
Nongeneric Meaning
The lion escaped from the zoo.
A lion escaped from the zoo.
Lions escaped from the zoo.

8. The Meaning of the Indefinite Articles
Nonspecific noun phrases (a /an , some, Ø)
Let’s rent a movie or listen to some /Ø music.
Difference between some and Ø
I need stamps.
I need some stamps.
A particular type or class as opposed to another type.
I am a teacher.
This is a pencil.

9. The Meanings of the Definite Article
Cultural Use
the sun, the moon, the White House
Situational Use
Don’t go in there. The dog will bite you.
Pass me the salt.
Textual Use
I left a book on my desk this morning. I returned home to get the book at noon.
Structural Use
The first person, The most beautiful, The best, etc.
It is the first time that I have ever seen snow.
It is the same book.