The use of the definite article with countable nouns.

The definite article in its specifying function serves to single out an object from all other objects of the same kind. The specification is carried out by means of the situation, the preceding context, the meaning of the noun, restrictive(limitting) attribute.

Situation specification occurs when the speaker is referring to some objects or person he assumes the hearer can identify in the environment they share.

An object or a group of objects may be specified by the reference to the preceding context. This use with the definite article is called anaphoric. The pub let’s call the waiter.

The definite article can also indicate unique reference/ the sun, the planets, the weather, the devil, the pope.

Specification can be carried out by various kinds of limiting attributes, in pre- and postposition to the noun phrase.

Prepositive limiting modifiers.

1. Adjectives in the superlative degree.

The general rule is that a noun modified by an adj in the superlative degree is used with the definite article.

2. Ordinal numerals.

The general rule is that a noun modified by an ordinal numeral is used with the definite article.(the first, the second…)

However when ordinal numerals are not used to indicate order but have the meaning of one more or another, the indefinite article is used.

The nouns modified by cardinal numerals are used without any article: There were four tables,

Still the defin article may be used with a noun modified by a cardinal numeral when determined by the context. Emity Brent looked at Vera.Vera Claytharne looked at Miss Brent. The two women rose.

3. Limiting adjectives and same

Limiting adj and the identifying pronoun same also particularize the reference of the noun:

the main reason the precise reason

the wrong answer the right way

only, same, central, principal, coming, following, present, former, latter, necessary, so-called

but an only child

4. Attributive proper nouns

Proper nouns in the common case may be used as prepositive attributes to class nouns, such noun phrases are used with definite article: The Pushkin Theatre.

5. Nominal modifiers

Concrete count nouns in the common case can serve prepositional attributes and the word modified is used with the defin article: the colour red, the number seven.

POstPOSITIVE limiting modifiers.

1. Prepositional of-phrase.

Often prepositional of-phrase do not have any limiting meaning. They are used with the indef article and denote: Quality: a book of interest, a man of courage

· Quantity: a distance of 3 miles, a boy of five

· Content, composition, material: a cup of tea, a group of children

2. Attributive restrictive clause(give additional information)

The defin article in its generic function indicates reference to a whole class of referents: it is used to denote a thing taken as a type.

The horse and mule live for forty years.the olive grow only in warm countries ( names of animals, plants, professions, scientific terms)

Generic reference is also indicated by the defin article used with substantivized adj and participle 2. it includes:

Words denotind sing non-personal abstract notions: best, evil, old, unknown, unreal.

Words denoting plural personal entities: French, free, aged, blind, rich.

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