Personal Notes from: Grammar Dimensions.
Frodesen, J, & Eyring, J. (2007). Grammar dimensions 4, fourth edition: form, meaning, and use. Heinle &
Heinle Pub.
Focus 1: Definite vs. Indefinite.
Definite:
the
-specific or one both/all parties can identify
a/an -not specific; one of a group;
-answer question which
-answer question what
Indefinite:
Ø
-non count nouns or plural nouns
Some -a “nonspecific” number with plural or noncount nouns; note it is used instead of the/a/an
Focus 2: First and Second Mention
a/an
the
-first mention because it is not something specific yet
-second mention because it is already identified
Focus 3: indefinite articles with singular, plural and noncount nouns
a/an
-the sound tells which one should be used
-a consonant sound
-an “vowel” sound
-if there is an adj. before the noun, the first sound of the adj. tells which one should be used
Some -plural count nouns, noncount nouns
Ø
- plural count nouns, noncount nouns
Focus 4:some instead of Ø
Some -plural count nouns and non-count nouns when you want to talk about QUANTITY
-it is not stressed when it is used instead of Ø
-it is usually optional, but yous it when you want to STRESS the quantity part of the noun phrase
Ø
-use it when you talk about ALL members of a groups of similar things
Focus 5: The with singular, plural and noncount nouns
The
-with all nouns that can be specifically identified where both parties know what thing you are
talking about
-when talking about “shared resources” that’s why we can say “the hospital, bank and movies”
Focus 6:Making general statements with no article/Ø
Ø
-when you want to make a general statement
-can usually put “in general” before general statements
Focus 7: The with Unique/Easily Identified nouns
The
-with nouns universally known (sun)
-with nouns regionally well known (Wilk)
-with nouns locally well known (cats) everyone in the immediate vicinity can identify it
Focus 8: The: second mention, related mention and certain adjectives.
The
-with nouns talked about before (2nd mention)
-with nouns that are related to something talked about before (He bought a suit but the jacket
had a button missing.)
-adjectives like “first, last, next, only and right”
-superlatives like “best, hardest and hapiest”
(****the latter two describe “one of a kind”)
-with “same”
Larsen-Freeman, Diane, Series Director. Grammar Dimenstions: Form Meaning Use (4th Ed.). Australia:
Thomson-Heinle, 286Focus 1: Classification vs. Identification meaning of articles
a/an -classifies a noun and shows it represents a type, group or a class distinct from some othre t, g,c.
Ø
-“ “
The
-identifies a noun that has been singled out in some way
Focus 2: Special uses of the definite article
The
-with unique nouns
-before superlatives
-before ordinals
-before modifiers that make the noun that follows specific: “same, sole, chief, only, single,
solitary, main, etc.)
-phrases that refer to a specfic part of a whole group i.e. “each of they boys”
-identifiable nouns that are followed by an “of phrase”
-before adjective sthat represent groups of people “the poor”
-with certain nouns to refer to a general example of something rather than a secific object the
speaker has in mind (“the radio”)
-before locations associated with certain typical or habitual activities
Focus 3: Review and special uses of Ø
Ø
-with nonspecific nouns
-nouns that have a general or generic reference
-nonspecific nouns that do not refer to a specific quantity
-certain nouns associated with familiar destinations (home)
-certain nouns of time (night, dusk, noon, midday, midnight, etc.)
-names of seasons
-names of meals
-means of transportation (by boat, by plane, on foot)
-means of communications (by phone, by mail, by telegram)
-certain idioms:
-phrases joined with by, in or and (day by day, arm in arm, neck and neck)
-paticiple + preposition + noncount noun (wounded in action, lost at sea)
-phrases joined by and (bread and butter)
-verb+ object +preposition
Focus 4: Particular vs. generic
Generic
Particular
-all representatives of a particular class
-one member of a class
Focus 5: The + plural nouns for generic reference
The
-when combined with a plual noun it indicates a general reference
-often plant and animal groups that are the target of special attention
-social, political, religious and national groups (some nationalities do not have plural
endings)
Focus 6: abstract generic vs. concrete generic
Generic
The + singular count nouns
a/an + singular count nouns
Ø + plural count nouns
Ø + noncount nouns
Two types of generic:
Abstract
-uses the+singular countable nouns and noncount nouns to refer to certain well-defined
entire classes of entities. (humans, animals, complex inventions, etc. non simple
inanimate objects)
-can also use a/an if there are subsequent references
Concrete
-all of the representatives of a class rather than a class itself
a/an + singular count noun
Ø + plural noun
Ø + noncount noun
(carriers, an operation, ultrasound)
-singular concrete describe generalized instances of something (one member of the
class is being referred to at a time
a/an ( A police officer carries a gun.)
Abstract
Focus 7:Definition of common nouns
-Generic nouns apear in the subject of these definitions
A dinosaur, the dinosaur, dinosaurs
-Definitions include: classifications, attributes and comparisons
Focus 8: Articles with names of bodies
The
-when generally refering to names of organs, parts of the body or body fluids
-singular body pars
-Massive areas or fluids of the body
-plural or paired body parts
Focus 9: Articles with Names of Illness
The + Noun
a/an
The+ Plural
Ø +noncount
flu, gout, plague
cold, hernia, headache, heart attack, ulcer, stroke, earache, sore throat
mumps, measles, hiccups
influenza, pneumonia, malaria, arthritis, cancer, leukemia, diarrhea, mononucleosis,
cardiovascular disease, tuberculosis
Ø +noun(with final s) diabetes, rabies, herpes, AIDS