The English Article
The English Article
-c) the epiphoric function ( the noun is a new element in the sentence)
e.g. I met her on the bank of the river.
Uses :
– 1) All geographical names with the exception of mountain tops, lakes, streets,
cathedrals, bridges.
e.g. Mont Blank is a top in the Alps ; Lake Geneva
The Thames, The Danube, The Black Sea, The Pacific Ocean, The English
Channel
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NB! The names of the countries are used
with the zero article with the exception of some
names such as : The United States, The British
Isles, The Netherlands, The Congo
The Sudan, The Philippines, The Hague !!!!!!!
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2. The Indefinite Article : a , an
Functions:
a) The generic function:
e.g. A fox is an animal.
Uses:
1) Before nouns denoting professions:
e.g. He is an actor.
I am a teacher.
NB!!! COMPARE
My sister worked as nurse in The World War II.
(dar nu era asistenta)
My sister worked as a nurse in The World War II.
(era chiar asistenta)
2) In set-phrases :
To fly into a passion
For a while
For a change
It is a pity
Not to care a straw
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3. The Zero Article:
Uses:
1)Before proper nouns – John, Denis, Mary
2)Before temporal divisions – January, February, Sunday, Monday etc.
3)Before close appositions – Dr.Smith, Prof. Johnson etc.
4)Before names of languages – English, Romanian, French etc.
5) Before abstractions – Knowledge is power.
Gold is a precious metal.
6) In set-phrases – On trust
On paper
For fun
At night
At random
At first sight
By mistake
Under stress
7) The generic function:
e.g. Foxes are animals.
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NB!!! Before names of lakes, streets,
cathedrals, mountain tops and bridges.
e.g Westminster Abbey is famous all over the
world.
Regent Street is full of people.
St. Ana is a lake.