Articles inEnglish

Who Knows?Definite or IndefiniteCount / Noncount

Who Knows?

My love is a rose.

A roseA rose

A rose

The rose in the parkA rose

A rose

Definite or Indefinite

Definite – the sign

Indefinite – a sign

General or Specific?I put a book in your room.The book is on your desk.Do you know which book?We know which book.

Definite / Indefinite

5 sources of definitenessPreviously mentioned.I saw a one-eared cat outside my house. The cat seemed to be very suspicious when I approached it.

Superlatives or ranking adjectives make a noun definite.The best team in the league is the Gators.5 sources of definiteness

Superlatives or ranking adjectives make a noun definite.The third paragraph contains the right answer.5 sources of definiteness

The noun is a unique person, place, or thing.The sun rotates around the earth.I find many useful sites on the internet.5 sources of definiteness

A modifying phrase or clause makes the noun more definite.The student in the back row seems to know all the answers.5 sources of definiteness

A modifying phrase or clause makes the noun more definite.The girl who made the winning shotlives next door to me.5 sources of definiteness

The context of situation makes the identity clear.I am going to the library. Both students at SFCC know which library. 5 sources of definiteness

Who Knows?Definite or IndefiniteCount / Noncount

Source: http://www.rpi.edu/web/writingcenter/esl.html

the milk

a drop of milk

Did you leave the milk on the table?

What does it mean?I got the A on the exam.I got an A on the exam.The good teachers are at SFC.

Who Knows?Definite or IndefiniteCount / Noncount

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