1) The limiting function.

The definite article singles the object named out of a class of similar objects. The noun with the definite article stands for an object, person or thing known from the circumstances, the situation, the context. The limitation expressed by the definite article is not necessarily based on the earlier introduction of the object named but on the situation. That's why the definite article is the situational article.

In its limiting function the definite article is often used with nouns modified by limiting attributes the purpose of which is to single out the object or the person named. E.g. This is the house that Jack built. She was the smartest girl in the room.

The definite article is also used with the names of particularization (the sun, the moon, the earth, the air, the world, the cosmos, etc). In this case the limiting function of the definite article is based on the exclusiveness of the object named.

2) Sometimes the definite article is used with a noun which stands for the whole of a class of similar objects. E.g. The telephone (as a means of communication) was invented by Bell in the 19th century.

This may be called the generic function of the definite article.

3) The definite article is usually used with a noun which expresses “the known” in a communication. E.g. The door opened and a man entered the room.

Instead of the definite article in English the possessive pronoun is sometimes used. The possessive pronouns are usually used with nouns naming parts of body, articles of clothing, etc. E.g. He laid his hand on his sword. Such possessive pronouns are not rendered into Russian and are not meant to express “possession”.

This substitution of the article by possessive pronouns is only possible, however, when the objects expressed by the nouns with possessive pronouns belong to the subject of the sentence, otherwise we must use the definite article.

cf. He took the matter into his hands.

He took the child by the hand.

The absence of the article before a material or abstract noun has a nominating function. E.g. Life goes on.

20. Lexico-syntactical stylistic devices

LSSD: there are certain structures that emphasis depends not only on the arrangement of the sentence members but also on their construction with definite demands on the lexical-semantic aspect of the utterance.

Antithesis is a figure of speech based on opposition or contrast of ideas, expressed by parallelism of strongly contrasted words placed at the beginning and at the end of the sentence or clause. It is often based on the use of antonyms.

Too brief from our passion, too long for our peace.

*Climax is a figure of speech based on such arrangement of part of an utterance which secures a gradual increase of semantic significance or emotional tension.

*Anticlimax is a figure of speech based on such arrangement of part of an utterance which secures a gradual increase of semantic significance or emotional tension. It is aimed at destroying the effect achieved by climax.

Simile is imaginated comparison of 2 unlike objects belonging to different clauses. It consists of 2 semantic parts (poles) which are connected by one of a following link-words: like, as, as like, as…as, such as, as if, seem. Two objects are compared on the grounds of similarity of some quality. If the link between members is expressed by notional verb (resemble, look, seem) is called disguised.

Litotes is a two-component structure in which 2 negations are joined to give positive evaluation. The first component is always the negative particle not, while the second is always negative in semantics.

Her face was not unpretty.

Periphrasis: is a very specific (peculiar) SD which basically consists of using round about form of expression instead of a simple one.

Figurative p. is based on metonymy oк metaphor – root of evil (money), young blood (enthusiasm).

(metonymic, metaphoric)

Logical p. is based on the logical connotation of the periphrasis and in the specific features of the object – strong/weak sex. (figurative periphrases is based on a metonymy or a metaphor)