5

The Article

Lesson 2

Articles with Countable Nouns Modified by Attributes

Plan

1. Types of attributes

2. Attributes expressed by:

2.1 Adjectives

2.2 Pronouns

2.3 Numerals

2.4 Verbals:

1. participles

2. infinitives

1. Types of Attributes

In accordance with their role in the choice of articles attributes may be divided into limiting and descriptive.

Attributes

DEFINITION	A Limiting Attribute (LA) is used to point out a particular object(s) as distinct from all other members of the class, as unique under the circumstances. She accepted the cigarette he offered her. A LA specifies the object and makes it possible for the recipient to identify it. I went to the hotel that had been recommended to me. ( - a particular object)	A Descriptive Attribute (DA) describes an object(s) or gives additional information about it/them. It does not single it out of a class, but only narrows the class to which it belongs. He wrote a good historical novel. The recipient is often more interested in the quality expressed by the attribute, not the object itself. I went to a hotel that had been recommended to me. (What kind of hotel? - A recommended one)
THE USE OF ARTICLES	A noun modified by a LA is always used with the definite article in its specifying meaning.	A DA does not affect the use of articles. The choice of articles with nouns modified by a DA depends on the context. The big steamer dropped our mail and went on its way.

Attributes modifying nouns may be expressed by

• separate words,

• word groups

• clauses.

They may be prepositional or postpositional.

2. Attributes expressed by:

2.1 Adjectives

Adjectives usually serve as descriptive attributes.

She drove an old car.

We lay lazily on the steep bank, looking at the tall reeds.

*However, adjectives may become limiting when contrast is implied in the situation:

The tall man remained sitting and the short one approached us.

There are three factors that are to be taken into consideration when determining the nature of the attribute expressed by an adjective in the sentence.

1. The degree of comparison

Adjectives in the superlative degree are always limiting attributes.

She was the smartest girl in the class.

NB! Compare:

This is the most interesting book I’ve ever read.

This is a most (= very) interesting book.

NB! The following are set expressions: a best suit (выходной костюм), a best seller

2. The nature of the adjective, its meaning.

The following adjectives serve as limiting attributes, they are limiting by nature, that is, according to their meaning:

1. These adjectives are always limiting:

only, very, same, principal, main, wrong, right (правильный), right, left, central, present, former, following, next, last, latter (последний из двух названных), former (первый из двух названных)

We shall probably eat at the next table to him.

My chief is the right man in the right place.

The questions you ask are the very questions I am putting myself.

Of silk and nylon the latter is cheaper (than the former).

Note 1

The adjective only is used as a descriptive attribute in combinations with the nouns daughter, son, child when these nouns mean “somebody’s child, an offspring”.

She is as spoiled as if she were an only child.

But: She was the only child in the room.

Note 2

The adjectives next and last

- are preceded by the “zero” article when used with nouns denoting time (day, night, morning, afternoon, week, year, etc.) in present time contexts.

They got married last year.

- in past time contexts are usually used with the definite article, but its use is not obligatory.

The next day he looked for her on the beach, but there was no sign of her or the children.

- are used with the definite article when they are followed by a cardinal numeral.

The next three months I studied art.

NB! on Monday last

2. These adjectives more often occur as limiting attributes, though they can serve as descriptive attributes too:

alleged (утверждаемый, часто голословно; предполагаемый), necessary, opposite, previous, lower, upper, usual, so-called

The alleged victim’s evidence could not be relied upon.

The so-called easy method turned out to be the hardest of all.

He came surrounded by the usual crowd.

A cup of coffee and a roll is a usual continental breakfast.

3. The position of the adjective in relation to the noun modified

(pre- or postposition)

The following postposed adjectives (and adjectivized participles) function as limiting attributes:

absent , present, involved (вовлеченный во что-л., рассматриваемый), concerned ( связанный с чем-л., имеющий отношение к чему-л.), proper (собственно, в прямом смысле слова)

Does he live in the town proper or in the suburbs?

The project has been a great success and I would like to thank all the colleagues involved.

I suggest you have a quick word with the person concerned.

2.2 Pronouns. The pronoun “other”

OTHER

Adjective pronoun	Noun pronoun
I have no other friends but you.	That may be your opinion, but the others think differently. One of his daughters is married to a teacher; the other’s husband is a doctor.

The use of articles (Adjective Pronoun) .

	Number of the Noun	Usage	The Article	Example
1.	Singular	1) Only two objects of the kind are present in the situation.	DEFINITE “the other” + N	Give me the other glove.
	Singular	2) When there are more than two similar objects in the meaning a) “one more”, “an additional one” or b) “a different one”.	INDEFINITE “another” + N	Can I have another apple? Give me another pen, please. This one won’t write.
2.	Plural	3) Two groups are opposed; the meaning implied is “the rest”, “the remaining”	DEFINITE “the other” + Ns	I’ve read two of the books you gave me. I’ll bring the other books next Monday.
	Plural	4) There is no definite division into two groups; there may be more than two groups implied.	ZERO “other” + Ns	Do you want to know what other people think of you?

2.3 Numerals

Numerals

CARDINAL	ORDINAL
Usually serve as descriptive attributes. They received three invitations on Sunday.	Usually serve as limiting attributes. She was the fourth celebrity I interviewed.
But: The article may be required by the situation: The three days seemed an age to him.	But: If an ordinal numeral means “another”, “one more”, and the order is of no importance, the Indefinite Article is found. ..The boy took a third helping of the pie.
NOTE: The “zero” article is used in the construction X NOUN + CARDINAL NUMERAL page five; Chapter ten	Note the set expressions: a first night; a first prize, at first sight; at first hand; on second thought; to do smth first thing

2.4 Verbals

2.4.1 Participles

Participles

Prepositional	Postpositional
Usually descriptive, but may also serve as limiting attributes. You are a grown boy. The alarming news spread quickly. The bat made up his mind to join the winning side.	Usually serve as limiting attributes. He was the cleverest of all the young people attached to the Foreign Office. Over the bed was a fat little cherub dangling a lamp..

2.4.2 Infinitives

Usually descriptive, but may also serve as limiting attributes depending on the context or situation.

At a time like that there are things to be glad of.

Maybe he is the man to ask about work.