It seems that these little words are not needed.Indeed, why articles in the English language?It seems to complicate the life of all foreigners.But this is not so, they can be expressed very accurately and concisely, the main thing - the right to use them.
article in English
Like most Europeans, the British used in the speech part of speech that is confused and a little frightened by the Russian-speaking.Of course this article.They are also in the German, French, Italian, yes, I think, in all Roman-Germanic languages.But they are not in Russian, so for many it becomes a serious challenge.
So, how much of articles in the English language?Modern linguists recorded only three: definition, indefinite and zero.The fact that they are essential, says at least the fact that in today's text, they take up about 9%.But how do they get there, and why?
History and development
indefinite article a occurred from word one - "one."Sometimes, for ease of pronunciation it takes the form an
Functions Part
In the English language for centuries has formed a fairly simple for European language grammatical system.Here, the article serves as a determinant of the noun, but it provides the minimal information - it is a concrete or abstract, countable or not, whether it was mentioned earlier.This simplifies the matter, because, for example, in German, the same part of speech gives additional information about the case, number and kind of following him lexical unit.
The proposal article is placed directly before the word to which it relates, or in front of its definition.Incidentally, it may be not only a noun, and adjective participle substantivized and verbal form.However, it is possible to carry grammatical jungle.So for the sake of simplicity, you can assume that all the parts of speech, nouns - so they most often translated into Russian.Also do not forget about adjectives and numerals, but more about that later.
Types of articles
So, as already mentioned, linguists are three types: specific, indefinite and zero.The latter can be confused with the absence of the article in general, but it is not - they are used in front of each noun and no exceptions.It is only important to understand and remember how to set them, and then the number of errors has fallen sharply.
Use
Certain types of articles in the English language is obviously needed in different situations.But how does it learn?Every noun has a qualifier before - the first thing that you must remember.And what he can influence a lot, until the meaning of the word.But more often than not so bad, and even if at all ignore the articles in question, native speakers will understand it.Look this, however, it is a bit strange, for example, if all the nouns in the usual sentence in Russian were only in the nominative case.By studying foreign grammar, it should proceed from the fact that it has developed not just so, and therefore it is respected.
In general, the rules of use are:
- indefinite article a used with nouns in the singular (specific and countable), mentioned for the first time.This also applies to the design there is.In addition, the indefinite article is used when referring to a person / object as one of the many others like him.
There is a ball on the floor.
I have a doll.
My brother is a student.
- definite article the in the English language is necessary when it is already a familiar object or set.Also, it is always used with collective nouns and adjectives in front in excellent shape.The same applies to the limiting definitions, and then translated article would mean "the same".
There is a ball on the floor.The ball is red.
I have the best doll.
Now he is again the Bob I told you about.
If there before the noun possessive (my, your, his, and so on. D.) Or pointing (this, that, these, those) pronoun or a numeral, then they replace the article, and it is no longer needed.
It would seem simple.But that's not all, and we need to know about some of the features that may be encountered.
Special cases
The study would go a lot easier if it was so easy to explain where and how to place articles.Exceptions in the English language, unfortunately, is not uncommon, but without them there is a lot of nuances, without which, alas, it will remain illiterate.
ARTICLE A (AN):
- adjacent to an abstract noun, if there is a descriptive definition;
- may be used before the name of its own in the sense of "a", "one";
- stands before nouns, if is set to "one" or "one" (sometimes with uncountable);
- used in certain set phrases.
ARTICLE THE:
- in English stands next to the names denoting the whole entire family;
- used when referring to the concept, the only one of its kind (Sky Queen);
- used with the names of some states, including the word kingdom, federation, republic, and so on. Etc .;
- cost structures after one of, most of, and both often after all (only countable);
- used with animate nouns to emphasize the prominence of persons whom they represent;
- needed before people in the meaning of "people";
- indicates a collective term denoting the various social strata;
- noun in the singular form, indicating a variety of subjects;
- placed before the definitions of same, next (within the meaning of the "next"), last (previous), following;
- need to ordinal numbers;
- always used with the parties of light;
- oceans, seas, rivers and most other water bodies, except for exceptions (individual bays and lakes);
- archipelagos with names, groups of islands;
- with names of mountain ranges, systems;
- with the names of most of the international and national political and other organizations;
- often with names of famous theaters, art galleries, museums, and so on. Etc .;
- with the names of major sporting events;
- used in certain set phrases.
Yes, an impressive list, but it should be remembered that the theory does not matter if the knowledge is not used in practice.
zero article
Even if it seems that it is not, it certainly is.The absence of the article in the English language, that is, its form of zero - is also information about the word that comes after the space.So, like the use of the following cases:
- presence of another determinant (pronouns, numerals or denial no );
- first used a plural noun;
- own name, the names of cities, continents, countries (except for exceptions), months, days of the week, schools;
- abstract noun;
- name of science;
- name of the newspaper, the article if there is not included initially;
- uncountable nouns;
- names of some islands;
- names of lakes and bays;
- names of individual peaks;
- headlines / magazines;
- noun, serving as treatment;
- in combination, means playing musical instruments or sports;
- family members in relation to each other;
- some collocations.
It seems that it is very difficult, but it is not so.This knowledge will come gradually in the course of the study, so that specifically remember these rules is usually not required.And, by the way, this is the section usually mastered much faster than the question of how the article is used the in the English language, because there are exceptions and special cases, much more.
How to remember?
As in any other field of knowledge, there is only practice.Knowing the theory, it is necessary to constantly find her application.Of course, being in the Russian-speaking environment, it is difficult to find a companion, especially if the study has only just begun.But in an age of universal computerization is not a problem to look for other online correspondence.However, it is worth considering that the practice should be comprehensive and should be trained in first oral communication skills.First you have to suffer and blush, picking up words and remembering the familiar expression, but then do not even have to think about where to put the article the in English, and where - a .Well, if there are serious doubts, you can go on a little trick and replace it with a possessive pronoun or word some.
