ion 2. the generic function The restricting functionThe defining functionAbsence of the articleWith plural nouns - the nominating function + more-than-oneness Additional functions: 1) indefiniteness 2) classifying 3) communicatingThe nominating function
Note. The above description of the functions of articles shows that their use is built up around a number of oppositions. There arc two main types of these .. Oppositions based on the category of number:
opposition is found when the article is associated with uncountable nouns or nouns having no reference to the category of countability.
We find the two above given kinds of opposition within the same function of the indefinite article and the zero article, ie the nominating function .. Oppositions based on the structural meaning of the articles:
, we find one more special kind of opposition where the indefinite article in its aspective function is opposed to both the definite article and the zero article, neither of which possesses aspective force [29, c.87] . use of the indefinite articlenouns are used with the indefinite article:
. When the speaker presents the object expressed by the noun as belonging to a certain class. In this case the indefinite article has the meaning of «який-небудь, якийсь, один» (In the meaning of «якийсь»). Has a watch of her own.the green surface of the lake a little boat, with white wingsfluttering, rocked in the dewy breeze. (Voynich) beside them grew a rose-bush covered with scarlet hips. (Voynich) the plural no article is used in this case. If the idea of ??number is implied the noun is preceded by the pronoun some.liked the room because there were flowers in it.
«I have brought you some flowers ...» «1 hate to wear flowers.» (Voynich)
. With a predicative noun, when the speaker states that the object denoted by the noun belongs to a certain class.Sharp 's father was an artist. (Thackeray)
«Is your brother an agreeable man, Peggotty?» «Oh, what anman he is!» (Dickens) works as a chemist. (Cronin) the plural neither the article nor the pronoun some is used.are good children, no doubt. (E. Bronte) «... they were business men when I was in the nursery.» (Voynich) the conjunction as a predicative noun is often used without an article.was engaged as governess.
3. When the noun is used in a general sense. What is said of one representative of a class can be applied to all the representatives of the class. The article has the meaning of «every».
A drowning man catches at a straw.the plural neither the article nor the pronoun some is used. Real friends should have everything in common. (Wilde)
4. There are cases when the indefinite article preserves its old original meaning of «one».
A stitch in time saves nine.had hardly spoken a word since they left Riccardo's door ... (Voynich) meaning is generally found with:
(a) nouns denoting time, measure and weight.
A week or two passed. (Ch. Bronte)
«I'll overtake you in a minute,» said Godfrey. (Eliot)
(b) the numerals-hundred, thousand, million and the n...
