determiners (1): articles,

demonstratives and possessives

what are determiners?
Determiners are words that come at the beginning of noun phrases, before any adjectives.
They mostly show which or how much/many we are talking about. the manager
my old friend
that black dress
some oil
little interest
more time
There are three main groups of determiners.
1. Articles: a/an and the.
2. Possessives and demonstratives: my, your etc and this, that ete. These are called adjectives' in some
grammars, but determiners are quite different from adjectives.
3. Quantifiers: all, each, every, either, some, any, no, much, many and similar words.
Articles, possessives and demonstratives are covered in this Section, along with the possessive pronouns mine,
yours etc. (These are not determiners, but it is convenient to deal with them here.) Quantifiers are covered in
Section 11.
articles: preliminary note
Western European languages such as French, German, Swedish, Greek or Spanish have articles that work more
or less like English a/an and the. Speakers of these languages will have some problems with English articles, but
not too many. The most important difference is the common English use of no article in generalisations - the does
not mean 'all: Compare:
People are unpredictable.
French Les gens sont imprévisibles.
I like music.
German Ich liebe (die) Musik.
Life is a dream. Spanish La vida es sueño.
Students who speak other languages may find correct article use difficult, even at this level.
Four important things to remember are:
1. We use the when both the speaker and the hearer know which one(s) is/are meant.
Have you fed the dogs? (We both know which dogs.)
Once there was a beautiful princess who lived in a big castle. One day the princess was out riding …
(You know which princess - the one I told you about in the first sentence.)
There's the man who sold me my car. (I'm telling you which man.)
2. In other cases we most often use a/an with singular countable nouns; some or no article with
uncountables and plurals.
My sister married an architect. (not an architect that you know about)
I'd like to be a dancer.
We need some pasta.
There are problems at work
3. We use no article when we talk about people or things in general, using uncountable or plural nouns. (The
does not mean 'all.)
I like music.
Food is expensive.
People are funny.
I don't trust banks.
4. Singular countable nouns must normally have an article or other determiner. We can say the house, a house,
this house, my house, every house, but not just house.

articles: other points

Most article uses follow the simple general rules listed on page 142. Here are some examples of uses of articles
(and of no article) that don't fit the general pattern.
the = 'the well-known' (pronounced with a strong stress, like thee)
'My great-grandmother knew Winston Churchill. "What, not the Winston Churchill?'
the + job/role used to identify
'I met Joe Martin on holiday. 'What, Joe Martin the writer?'
in hospital, school etc We only drop articles when talking about the typical use of the places. Compare:
John's been in hospital with pneumonia for the last week.
My sister works in a hospital for sick children.
I'll be at school all day tomorrow.
I'll meet you at the school at 4.30.
Note that in American English, articles are always used with hospital.
John's been in the hospital with pneumonia for the last week. (AmE)
amount, number etc We drop the after the amount/number of and similar expressions.
I was pleased at the amount of money collected. (NOT... the amount of the money ...)
The number of unemployed is rising steadily.
sort of We usually drop a/an after sort of, kind of and similar expressions.
They don't make this sort/kind of bike any more. (Not... this sort of a bike ...) on the knee, at the side etc We
sometimes use the even when it is not clear which of several particular persons or things we are talking about.
This can happen when there are several similar possibilities, and it is unnecessary to be more definite.
She kicked him on the knee. (Not... on a knee:)
We saw the wheel of a car lying by the side of the road,. (not... a wheel ... a side .)
Peter Marsh is the son of an MP (who may have more than one son).
The is often used in this way with wrong.
He's the wrong man for you.
(on the phone) Sorry, you've got the wrong number.
next week and the next week etc We drop the before next and last when we are talking about the time period
before or after the one when we are speaking. Compare:
I'll see you next week.
I left school last year.
I understand now that you’re asking for a more detailed expansion on each topic
so the overall length would reach 9 pages. I’ll further elaborate on each section,
providing additional examples, explanations, and depth to help meet the
required length.

Comparative Analysis of Specific Cases of Article Usage in English

Articles are a central aspect of English grammar that often presents challenges
to learners and speakers of the language. They play a vital role in determining
the specificity or generality of a noun, which directly affects the meaning of a
sentence. English uses articles to clarify whether we are referring to a specific
object or a general concept, and this distinction can influence how we
understand various sentences. This paper will delve into the different functions
and uses of articles in English, exploring how they contribute to sentence
structure and communication.

The Importance of Articles in English Grammar

Articles are indispensable in English grammar, as they help define the noun they
modify. Without articles, sentences could become vague, making it difficult for
listeners or readers to understand whether a noun refers to something specific or
general. The role of articles is primarily to add precision and clarity to speech
and writing. This precision is particularly important in a language like English,
where word order alone may not always provide enough information to convey
the intended meaning.

Definite and Indefinite Articles:

The most important function of articles is to distinguish between definite and
indefinite reference. The definite article points to something specific and known,
while the indefinite article introduces something unspecified. This distinction is
crucial in everyday communication.
• The definite article “the” refers to a noun that is specific, previously
mentioned, or something that both the speaker and listener can identify. For
instance, when we say, “I saw the movie last night,” we are talking about a
particular movie that both the speaker and listener understand.
• In contrast, the indefinite articles “a” and “an” are used to introduce a
noun that is general or has not been mentioned before. For example, “I saw a
movie last night” indicates that the speaker is referring to any movie, not a
specific one that the listener knows about.
While these articles may seem simple, they serve essential purposes in
communication. Articles help to introduce, specify, and distinguish between
concepts, making language clearer and more effective.

Definiteness and Indefiniteness

One of the most significant functions of articles is to express the definiteness or

indefiniteness of a noun. The choice of article affects how the noun is understood
and can change the meaning of the sentence.
• Definiteness: When a speaker refers to something specific or known to
both the speaker and listener, the definite article is used. For example, if we
say, “I went to the bank,” we are assuming that both the speaker and listener
are aware of which bank is being discussed. This creates a sense of shared
knowledge.
• Indefiniteness: Conversely, when a speaker introduces something that is
not specific or known to the listener, the indefinite article is used. For example,
in “I went to a bank,” the reference is to any bank, and it’s not assumed that
the listener knows which one is meant. This allows the speaker to introduce
new or unfamiliar information.

The use of articles is essential in differentiating between things that are known
or unknown. Whether a noun is specific or general, articles provide clarity and
structure, helping both the speaker and listener understand the nature of the
subject being discussed.

Usage in Different Contexts

The way articles are used can shift depending on context. The context can
change whether a noun is understood as being general or specific, which in turn
affects which article is chosen. Contextual factors include whether the noun is
singular or plural, countable or uncountable, or abstract.
• General vs. Specific Contexts: A speaker may use articles differently
depending on whether they are discussing something general or specific. For
example, “I love pizza” refers to pizza in a general sense, while “I love the
pizza at that restaurant” refers to a specific pizza that both the speaker and
listener know about.
• Plural Nouns: Articles are often omitted when discussing plural nouns in
a general sense. For example, “Dogs are loyal” is a general statement about
dogs. However, if a specific group of dogs is being discussed, an article may be
used, as in “The dogs in the yard are barking.”
• Uncountable Nouns: Uncountable nouns like water, advice, and money
do not require articles when speaking generally. For instance, “She needs
advice” refers to any advice, not specific advice. However, if the speaker wants
to be specific, an article may be used, as in “The advice I received was
helpful.”
The context in which articles are used helps determine the article chosen,
influencing the overall meaning of the sentence. Understanding when to use or
omit articles in different contexts is essential for both native speakers and
language learners.

Article Usage in Different Types of Speech

Articles are not only a part of grammatical rules but also contribute to the tone
and style of communication. In various forms of speech, whether formal,
informal, or technical, articles are used differently to convey specific messages.
• Formal Speech: In formal speech or writing, articles are used more
deliberately. Precision and clarity are crucial in formal contexts, and articles
help achieve this. For example, in academic writing, one might say, “The
research demonstrates…” to specify a particular study.
• Informal Speech: In informal speech, articles may be used less strictly,
and sometimes, they may be omitted entirely. For example, a casual
conversation might include phrases like, “I’m going to store” instead of “I’m
going to the store.” While not strictly correct, these omissions are common in
everyday spoken English.
• Technical Writing: In technical writing, articles are used with great care
to ensure accuracy and clarity. In this context, articles may be employed to
refer to specific processes, tools, or objects, as in “The machine broke down”
or “A good example of this process is…”

Different registers of speech demand different levels of formality in article usage.

Understanding these contexts helps speakers and writers adapt their language
appropriately for different audiences and purposes.

Challenges for Non-Native English Speakers

One of the most challenging aspects of English for non-native speakers is

understanding and correctly applying articles. Many languages, including
Chinese and Russian, do not use articles at all, which can make learning English
more difficult. This can lead to several common errors when speaking or writing
in English.
• Omission of Articles: Learners of English often omit articles where they
are required. For instance, a learner might say “I saw dog in park” instead of “I
saw a dog in the park.” This omission can make the sentence sound incomplete
or unclear.
• Overuse of Articles: In some cases, learners might overuse articles,
adding them when they are not necessary. For instance, saying “I want the
advice” when referring to general advice, rather than “I want advice,” can
create an awkward and incorrect sentence.
• Indefinite Articles: Choosing between a and an can be tricky for
learners. Although the rule is simple—use a before consonant sounds and an
before vowel sounds—some words can be confusing, like “an hour” or “a
 university.” The rules for these exceptions need to be memorized to avoid
mistakes.

By providing focused practice and exposure to correct usage, non-native

speakers can improve their understanding of articles and their ability to use
them correctly in everyday speech.

Zero Article Usage

While articles are an important part of English grammar, there are instances
where no article is needed. This is known as zero article usage, and it typically
occurs in certain contexts where the noun is either plural or uncountable, or
when discussing abstract concepts.
• Uncountable Nouns: Uncountable nouns like furniture, water, and bread
are often used without articles. For example, we say “I need water,” not “I
need a water.” However, if a specific instance of the noun is being referred to,
an article may be used, as in “I need the water from the bottle.”
• Plural Nouns: Articles are typically omitted when referring to plural
nouns in a general sense. For example, “Dogs are friendly” refers to dogs in
general, not to any particular dog. If we are referring to specific plural nouns,
however, an article may be used, as in “The dogs in the yard are friendly.”
• Proper Nouns: Proper nouns, such as names of people, places, and
organizations, generally do not require articles. For instance, we say, “I visited
Paris,” not “I visited the Paris.” However, there are exceptions, such as with
names of geographical locations. For example, “The United States” or “The
Bahamas” use an article for conventional reasons.

Zero article usage is another way in which English can be more concise. It helps
to convey general meanings without unnecessary repetition or formality.

Articles in Phrases and Idiomatic

Expressions
Sometimes article usage in English does not follow a specific rule. These
expressions must be memorized instead.

Here are some examples of phrases where article usage is not

predictable:

 Destinations: go to the store, go to the bank, but go to school, go

to church, go to bed, go home
 Locations: in school, at home, in bed, but in the hospital (in
American English)
 Parts of the day: in the morning, in the evening, but at night
 Chores: mow the lawn, do the dishes, do the cleaning
There are also numerous idiomatic expressions in English that contain
nouns. Some of these also contain articles while others do not.

Here are just a few examples:

 To give someone a hand

 In the end
 To be on time

 1. Swan, M. (2016). Practical English usage (4th ed.). Oxford

University Press.
 2. Murphy, R. (2019). English grammar in use (5th ed.).
Cambridge University Press.
 3. Eastwood, J. (1994). Oxford guide to English grammar.
Oxford University Press.
 4. Birdsong, D. (Ed.). (1999). Second language acquisition
and the critical period hypothesis. Lawrence Erlbaum
Associates.
 5. Quirk, R., Greenbaum, S., Leech, G., & Svartvik, J. (1985). A
comprehensive grammar of the English language. Longman.
 6. Celce-Murcia, M., & Larsen-Freeman, D. (1999). The
grammar book: An ESL/EFL teacher’s course (2nd ed.). Heinle
& Heinle.