Preamble
Articles are determiners in English . It is generally attached to the noun and cannot exist independently of the noun.
Article classification: definite article the
indefinite articles a , an
zero article no article
Position of the article: Generally, the article is placed before the noun or noun phrase. If the noun is modified by an adjective, the article is placed before the adjective.
eg. Every room has a computer with a special screen, almost as big as a cinema screen.
例句：Every classroom has a computer, and each computer has a special screen about the size of a movie screen.
1. Indefinite articles
Although the indefinite articles a and an have the concept of one, they usually do not emphasize the number, but only express the indeterminacy of the noun . It is often used before singular countable nouns , and an is used before words beginning with a vowel phoneme (pronounced a, e, i, o, u).
eg. a university of science.
Translation: a science university
eg. an honest girl.
Translation: an honest girl
There are three basic usages of indefinite articles : generic, general , andquantitative
(1) Class refers to
The kind of indefinite article refers to a kind of person or thing
eg.Cocaine is a powerfullly addictive drug.
例句：Cocaine is a highly addictive drug
Represents three cases of class referencing 1 ) Indefinite article + singular countable noun eg. A dog is a faithful animal. 2 ) definite article + singular countable noun eg. Glileo invented the telescope that year. Translation: Galileo invented the telescope 3 ) Plural or uncountable nouns of countable nouns eg. Horses are usedful animals. eg. Rice is a kind of food.
(2) refers generally to
The indefinite article is usually used when someone or something is mentioned for the first time, so when a noun (phrase) is preceded by an indefinite article, it often has an indeterminate meaning , which is equivalent to a certain (some/some).
eg. He was born in a village in Austria, the son of a peasant.
例句：He was born in a village in Austria, the son of a peasant.
In this example, both village and peasant are a general reference modified with a, which belongs to an uncertain reference
(3) Quantity means
The indefinite article can express the concept of one when it is used as a measure.
eg.Hi, everyone. My name's Ma Li. I'm a girl from Beijing.
Tips
Say a black horse and a white horse in English
a black horse and a white horse.
But in order to avoid repetition, it can also be said as
a black and a white horse.
Since they are all horses, the noun can be shared, but the indefinite article must be repeated and cannot be omitted.
Otherwise it becomes
a black and white horse.
a black and white horse
It can be seen from this that if it means a thing, it is not necessary to repeat the indefinite article,
eg. a cup and saucer.
Translation: A pair of teacups and saucers
eg. a knife and fork.
Translation: a pair of knives and forks
· Common phrases of indefinite articles
(1) Prepositions or adverb phrases
at a time every time mnemonic: time can mean the number of times
for a time
after a time
after a while
in a moment
in a way
at a distance
in a loud voice
all of sudden
in a word
as a result as a result as means as a result as a result as a result
at a loss at a loss
with a view to
with a will
in a hurry
as a matter of fact
twice a week
(2) Verb phrase class
come to an end
catch a cold
have a cold
take an interest in
take a seat
take a walk
make a fire
make a fool of
make a study of 研究
make a fortune
make a living
make a decision
make an effort
make a choice
have a word with... talk with...
have a rest
have a good/wonderful time
have a try
have a fever
pay a visit
keep an eye on
eg. He first published many novels one chapter at a time in newspapers, and some were later performed on stage.
例句：Many of his novels were serialized in newspapers, one chapter at a time, and some were later staged
eg. He always does his best and has a wonderful time in the process.
例句：He always tried his best and had fun in the process
eg. As a result, cocaine users sometimes have heart attacks.
例句：Therefore, people who smoke cocaine often suffer from heart disease
******Extension of Articles*******
1. When the article and other determiners together modify the noun
The article belongs to the median determiner in the determiner. When it modifies the noun together with other determiners, it follows the principle of " prepositional determiner + median determiner + posterior determiner + central noun"
eg. John think that the second theory is correct.
例句：John thinks the second theory is correct
Determiners are divided into three categories : anterior, median, and posterior
Prepositional qualifiers: such as: multiples, fractions, all, both, half, double, etc.;
Median determiners: such as: articles, possessive pronouns, demonstrative pronouns, possessive nouns and some, any, no, every, each, either, neiither, enough, much, whose, etc.;
Post-position qualifiers: such as: cardinal numbers, ordinal numbers and indefinite pronouns such as little, few, last, next, other, another, more, less, most, several, least, plenty of.
#The above-mentioned parts of speech replaced by Chinese will be discussed later.
However, a central noun can not be preceded by two median or two anterior determiners (except all half), but can have two posterior determiners .
Such as: my book, can not say my that book, can only say that book of mine.
Another example: all the four teachers
all your three books. all your three books.
all these last few days.
2. When there are special words before the adjectives that modify the nouns
When an article encounters a special word before the adjective that modifies the noun, that is, when the adjective is modified by words such as as, so, how, too, etc., the article should be placed after the adjective .
eg. Freddy is not so smart a guy as I thought.
Translation: Fred is not as smart as I think
# I know that my future is not just a dream .
Thank you for reading, have a good life~