23. The use of articles with uncountable nouns

Abstract nouns like concrete nouns, fall into two classes: countables and uncountables. Uncountable arstract nouns are used only in the singular. Some abstract nouns are used as countables in one meaning and as uncountables in another:

Work-работа, a work- произведение

Silence- тишина,a silence- пауза…

Some of the nouns that generally tend to be uncountable are in certain constructions regularly used with the indef art (comfort, disgrace, disappointment, pity, pleasure, relief, shame… )

They are found with the indef art when they used as predicatives after a formal it as a subject or after the exclamatory what! (it is a pleasure to see u. What a pity!)

As a general rule, uncountable abstract nouns are used without any article(indifference and pride look very much alike) The absence of the article serves the same purpose as the indef art with countable nouns(performs the nominating function(when in distress people look for a friend. When in distress people look for friendship))

The def art is used with uncountable nouns when they are modified by a limiting attribute, which may be expressed in different ways. Smt. The limitation is clear from the context(he was a state of the greatest excitement)

The def art is also found with substantivized adjectives denoting abstract notions(the ordinary, the average(do u believe in the supernatural?))

The indef art is used with uncountable abstract nouns when they are modified by a descriptive attribute which brings out a special aspect of the notion expressed by the noun(there seemed to be a wonderful excitement everywhere in the world(aspective function))

In some causes the attribute does not bring out a special aspect of the notion expressed by the noun. The attribute may express degree (great, huge, utter..),time(endless, modern..)nationality, origion, geography…..

But in such causes the def art can be used in such combinations as: French poetry, modern art, german philosophy… if there it is limiting attribute(the French poetry of the 19^th centiry)

Some nouns are never used with the indef art. They are nouns of verbal character denoting actions,activity,prosses.. such as admiration, advice, applause, approval, concern, information, permission, progress…… this rule applies also to the foll. nouns: change, fun, health, luck, money, nature, news, space, weather…..

Names of materials are generally used without any article. The absence of the article has nominating force(this sleeping pills should be dissolved in water)

Unlike uncountable abstract nouns, names of materials are modified by a descriptive attribute(I ticked off the names written in violet ink). The def art in its restricting function is used with names of materials if they are restricted in their quantity or by reason of locality(the boss took up a pen and picked a fly out of the ink)

Smt owing to a change in meaning names of materials become countable and as such they are used with articles in accordance with the rules 4 countable nouns.

Nanes of materials become countable nouns in the following cases:

a)when various sorts of food products and materials are meant(there is a cotton in the shop window)

b)when a portion of smth is meant

c)smt the change of meanihg is quite considerable the noun comes to indicate an object made of a certain material(a full glass of orange stood beside him)

№24

Attr.cl.serve as an attribute to a noun(antecedent )in the princ.cl.Attr.cl. are divided into relative & appositive.

Relative cl. qualify the antecedent (the facts those men were so eager to know had been visible,open to the senses),appos.cl. disclose its meaning(the fact that the rector’s letter didn’t require an answer would give him time to consider).Atrr.cl. are joined by means of connectives,appos-by means of conj.

Attr.rel.cl. can be restrictive &descriptive.

Restr. Restricts the neaning of the antecedent.It’s closely connected with princ.cl. & is introduced by relat.pronouns(who,whose,which,that,as),relat.adverbs(where,when),asyndentically.

Descript. Doesn’t restrict the meaning,it adds some information.Introduced by relat.pronouns(who,which),relat.adverbs(where,when)

Attr.appos.cl. disclose the meaning of the noun which is expressed by an abstract noun.Introduced by conj.*that*,*whether*,adverbs*how,why*.Don’t join asyndentically.(he stopped the hope that she would speak.There was no reason why she shouldn’t read it.)

The use of relat.pronouns.

1.If the noun denotes an inanimate object-*which*

2.If the noun denotes a living being-*who*

3.both living &inanimated-*that*.But the use is limited.

a)noun is the pronoun *all,everything,nothing*

b)noun is modified by an adj. in superlative degree,by *only*,by *any*

#25 Indefenite tenses

The ind.form merely shows that the action takes place in present,past or future.The form of the verb gives no indication as so its duration or completion.

Present:

-Customary,repeated actions(I usually get up at 7)

-Permanent situations or states(She works as a nurse)

-Universal truths,laws of nature( Water boils at 100C;Money doesn’t buy happiness)

-Timetables,programs(The plane leaves at 13.00)

-Reviews,sports commentaries,dramatic narrative(Meryl Streep acts brilliantly in this film)

- Future action in adv.cl.of time&condition after when,till,until,as soon as…(I don’t want see him till he asks me)

Past: - denote an action performed in the past(jack called you an hour ago)

-a succession of past actions(She sealed the letter,put a stamp on it and posted it)

- Repeated actions in the past(He went to school on foot)

- Action which happened at a definite past time although the time is not mentioned(Shakespeare wrote a lot of plays)

Future: -decisions taken at the moment of speaking(since it’s getting dark I’ll turn on the lights)

-actions/predictions which may happen in the future or actions which we can’t control(He’ll be 10 next year)

-things we are not sure about or haven’t decided to do yet(She’ll probably be promoted)