The definite article is used when a noun is modified by an attribute which shows that a particular object is meant, i. e. by an attribute which might be called a particularizing attribute. A particularizing attribute is used to single out an object from all the objects of the class, to point out one particular object or group of objects. The use of a particularizing attribute implies the idea of , ; , .
A particularizing attribute can be expressed by an of- phrase or an attributive clause. It is always used in post-position.
He knocked at the door of a very neat house. (Marryat)
The letters that I have here have come to me quite by accident. (Dreiser)
A particularizing attribute should not be confused with a descriptive attribute.
A descriptive attribute is used to describe an object or to give some additional information about it.
In a fortnight I got a long letter, which I considered odd. (E. Bronte)
The post on her left was occupied by Mr. Erskine of Treadley, an old
gentleman of considerable charm and culture. (Wilde)
The use of a descriptive attribute does not affect the use of the article. The same articles would be used if there were no attribute whatever.
One day in January he called at the seminary to return a book which he had
borrowed. (Voynich)
I have just spoken to the woman, who seems to have changed her mind.
(Bennett)
They went side by side, hand in hand, silently toward the hedge, where the
May flower, both pink and white, was in full bloom. (Galsworthy)
In the first example the indefinite article is used with the noun book because the object denoted by it is presented as belonging to a class. The noun woman is used with the definite article because the speaker and the hearer know what particular person is meant. The noun hedge is used with the definite article because the situation makes the object definite.
NOUNS OF MATERIAL
5. With nouns of material used in a general sense, when a certain material as such is meant, no article is used.
Honey is wholesome.
On hearing what had happened, she (Katie) ran for warm water... (Voynich)
6. When a definite part of the substance is meant (when the noun is modified by a particularizing attribute or is made definite by the situation), the definite article is used.
Pettinger gulped down a glass of the sherry which Cornelius had finally
brought. (Heym)
The meat was good and White Fang was hungry. (London)
7. When an indefinite part of the substance is meant, some is used.
We took some bread and cheese with us, and got some goats milk up there on
the pasture. (Voynich)
Nouns of material denoting different sorts of material are countables and the articles are used according to the general use of articles with class nouns.
A pleasure to give a good wine to a young woman who looked so well.
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(Galsworthy)
This use is very rare.
ABSTRACT NOUNS
8. When abstract nouns are used in a general sense, no article is used.
While there is life there is hope.
9. When abstract nouns are modified by a particularizing attribute or when the situation makes the idea definite, they are used with the definite article.
He (Cowperwood) was the courage and force of his father, the spirit and
opportunity of his brothers, the hope of his children, the dignity and
significance of the Cowperwood name. (Dreiser)
Last night I heard Carmen and enjoyed the music.
N o t e 1. It should be borne in mind that abstract nouns modified by an
attribute in pre-position are used without articles unless they are modified by
particularizing attributes: English literature, Russian art, Soviet music.
N o t e 2. The abstract noun weather is never used with the indefinite
article. What fine weather! It is burning weather. (Ch. Bronte)
When the noun weather is used in a general sense, the definite article is used.
There are people who say that the weather can influence peoples mood.
(Bennett)
10. Abstract nouns can be used with the indefinite article. In this case the abstract noun denotes a certain kind () of a quality, feeling, state, etc. The noun nearly always has a descriptive attribute.
How clever you are, Mr. Hopper. You have a cleverness quite of your own.
(Wilde)
In her eyes there was an eagerness, which could hardly be seen without
delight. (Austen)
(On the use of articles with countable abstract nouns see note on page 30.)
11. The indefinite article is used with the nouns period, population, distance, height, salary etc. followed by of + numeral + noun.
Simpson was out of the city for a period of ten days. (Dreiser)
