Grammar and vocabulary Articles:


zero article and the
Complex prepositions Person, people, peoples
1 Articles: zero article and the
.r
1.1 Read the following explanations of how we use zero
article (no article) and the definite article (the). In
pairs, match the examples (a-k) to the explanations
(1-11).
We use zero article with plural and uncountable nouns
when we talk generally about people or things, without
definite people or things in mind. For example, we might
talk about a whole class of things in a general way (1
_b_), or about an indefinite number (2 ___) or indefinite
amount (3 ___).
We use the with singular, plural or uncountable
nouns when we expect the reader to be able to
identify the thing or person we are referring to in the
following noun. This may be because:
 it is clear from the context (4 ___).
 it is identified by information after the noun, often
in an of-phrase (5 ___).
 it is identified using a superlative adjective (6 ___).
 it is identified using an adjective such as first,
main or primary (7 ___).
 there is only one of a particular thing or
person (8__).
 there is only one group of these things or people
(9__).
When we make generalisations about classes of
things we can use either the with a singular noun
(10 ___) or zero article with a plural noun (11 ___).
a
... the primary purpose of a map ...
b
Throughout history maps have become
increasingly common ...
... followed by the printing press, and then
the computer.
... are now in widespread use by the public,
through the Internet ...
... navigation, the science of location.
and wayfinding.
When ancient peoples began to sail the oceans
c
d
e
f
1.2 Add the before the noun or noun phrase in bold in
one of each of the following pairs of sentences (a
or b).
1 a World War I was a turning point in history.
b He was a major figure in history of science.
2 a I begin by describing most significant risks
associated with outsourcing.
b All people taking part in sport know that risks
are unavoidable.
3 a Fish is probably main food for most people living
in coastal settlements.
b Food that can be prepared and served quickly is
referred to as 'fast food'.
4 a In the 20th century there were many innovations
in the material used in painting.
b Mona Lisa is a 16th-century portrait now in
the Louvre in Paris. Painting shows a woman
whose facial expression is otten described as
'mysterious' .
2 Complex prepositions
Prepositions are words like of, in and with that come
in front of a noun phrase or an -ing form. Complex
prepositions consist of two or more words. For example:
... maps and globes have now been made to show
extraterrestrial features such as the moon ...
... maps have become increasingly more common, as a
result of the appearance of paper ...
Many complex prepositions like these are common in
academic writing.
2.1 Underline the three complex prepositions in each
of the following extracts.
1
2
...
g
h
i
j
k
The earliest known maps were constructed
of sticks ...
This view shows detail of stags crossing a
river, and experts suggest that some of the
artwork represents a rudimentary map ...
Geographers who specialize in cartography ...
Computers have dramatically changed map
data collection and display.
Information that was once collected manually ...
3
A residential area is one in which housing
predominates, as opposed to industry or
commerce. As well as single family housing,
residential areas may include multiple family
housing such as apartment blocks.
With the exception of the new railway line linking the
capital to the south coast, all the major infrastructure
projects of the 1980s were completed ahead of
schedule, in spite of the difficult economic conditions
at the time.
Non-verbal communication (NVC) refers to
communication by means of gestures and facial
expressions, as distinct from speech. Some NVC is
universal in that it is understood regardless of the
culture in which it occurs.
2.2 Match the complex prepositions you underlined
in 2.1 to the following descriptions.
1
something not included in what you are saying
with the exception of
2 something that contrasts with what you have just
Mentioned and when you want to emphasise
the first one _____________________ and
3
4
5
something in addition to what you have just
mentioned ___________________ _
the way or method of doing something
an event that is more important or occurring
before one you have just mentioned
6
something that doesn't affect or influence
an event you have just mentioned
7
8
more examples of a type of thing you have just
mentioned ______________ ____ _
a fact that makes something you have mentioned
surprising
2.3 Complete the following sentences using one of
the complex prepositions in 2.1 and an ending in
the box.
Research shows that the most frequent two-word preposition in
the written academic corpus is such as. What do you think are
the next most common? Complete the list by writing the second
part of each preposition.
1 such ___as___
2 rather ________
3 according _________ 4 due ________
5 because _______
6 up _______
7 prior _________
8 together _________
9 close _________
10 as _____
Use a dictionary to check how each one is used.
3 Person, people, peoples
The usual plural form of person is
people. e.g. Perhaps as soon as
people began to communicate with
each other ...
 In academic writing, either people or
persons can be used when referring to
particular categories of people. Persons is
preferred in American English.
e.g. elderly persons/people; persons/people
with
severe mental illness
The singular noun people refers to a nation or
race. e.g. Culture can be defined as the way of
life of a people.
 Its plural form is peoples, although the
singular form can usually be used instead.
e.g. When ancient peoples began to sail the
oceans ... (or When ancient people ... ;
the plural form emphasises that there
were a number of different groups)
3.1 Complete the following sentences using the words in
the box. There may be more than one possible answer.
1
people peoples person persons a people
Harris (2000) studied social support from family members as
distinct from frieYllis .
2
The lower a person's social class, the lower their
life expectancy, _______________________,
3
A wind turbine converts wind energy to electrical
energy ____________________
4
Children were asked about their computing
experience, ______________________ ,
5
Nobody will be allowed to see individual
responses, _______________________ ,
6
In today's society people tend to put their own
interests _____________________ _
7
The class system involves differences of power
8
All African countries were represented at the
meeting, ____________________ _
Study tip Make a note of new complex prepositions as you
find them. It may help you to remember them if you group
complex prepositions according to their general meaning. For
example:
DIFFERENCE
EXCEPTION
as opposed., to
with the exception of
as distinct from
1
There are now more ____________ Iiving in urban
than in rural areas.
2 Tobacco was first used thousands of years ago by
native ___________ in South America in religious
ceremonies.
3
Providing effective primary care for homeless
_______________ is a difficult task.
4
There are more than 5000 _____________ in the
world over 100 years old.
5 The Medes were ____________ who occupied the
mountainous area of north-western Iran and northeastern Iraq.
6 Their research looked at the indigenous
_____________ of northern Australia.
7 The subjects of the study were 200 _____________
aged 65 or over.
8
In general, ___________ earn more as they get
older.