the zero article

a

1. https://pixabay.com/photos/books-bookstore-book-reading-1204029/shared under CC0
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The Zero Article
https://pixabay.com/photos/books-bookstore-book-reading-1204029/shared under CC0

2. 2
Lesson Vocabulary!
Term Definition
implied not stated openly,
butunderstoodtoexistor to betrue

3. Today’s Class
1. The zero article goes with plural countable nouns with general
meaning, uncountable nouns, and some proper nouns .
a)Chairs need to have four legs.
b)Coffee is delicious.
c)Nastashya is on time today.
2. ‘Some’ states a quantity of something.
Do you have some black pants?
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https://pixabay.com/illustrations/artificial-intelligence-brain-think-4389372/shared under CC0

4. Review ‘a’ and ‘the’
1. I do not wantagunin my house(any gun or one gun).
singular countable, general meaning
2. Thegunis in his closet(implies there is a specific gun).
singular countable, specific meaning
3. Thegunsare in his closet (implies there are specific guns).
plural countable, specific meaning
4. I am afraid of guns(all guns in general).
plural countable, general meaning
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https://pixabay.com/illustrations/artificial-intelligence-brain-think-4389372/shared under CC0http://www.butte.edu/departments/cas/tipsheets/grammar/articles.html

5. Zero article ‘ ‘
Why do we need a zero article?
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https://pixabay.com/illustrations/artificial-intelligence-brain-think-4389372/shared under CC0

6. Zero article ‘ ‘
Why do we need a zero article?
Every common noun needs an article but there are several
circumstances where neither ‘the’ nor ‘a/an’ is appropriate. We use
the zero article with plural countable nouns with general meaning,
with uncountable nouns, and with proper nouns.
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https://pixabay.com/illustrations/artificial-intelligence-brain-think-4389372/shared under CC0

7. Zero article ‘ ‘
1. Jeans look nicer when they fit your body well.
Jeans is a plural countable noun with general meaning.
2. Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius.
Water is an uncountable noun with general meaning.
3. Iman and Imene spell their names differently but
the pronunciation is similar.
Iman and Imene is a, compound, proper noun.
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https://pixabay.com/illustrations/artificial-intelligence-brain-think-4389372/shared under CC0

8. The zero article and plural countable nouns
When using the singular form of the noun you can use the indefinite
article ‘a’.
a. We’re expecting a visitor.
When using the plural form of the noun you can’t use ‘a’ but you also
can’t use ‘the’ if the noun has a general meaning.
b. We’re expecting visitors.
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https://pixabay.com/illustrations/artificial-intelligence-brain-think-4389372/shared under CC0

9. The zero article and plural countable nouns
Write three sentences for each of the following nouns.
1. Book
2. Apartment
example/ Bicycle
a. A bicycle is cheaper than a car. singular countable, general
b. The bicycle was here a minute ago! Oh no! singular countable,
specific
c. Bicycles need to be locked securely or they could be stolen. plural
countable, general
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10. The zero article and uncountable nouns
When using a countable noun you can use the indefinite article.
a. He picked up a stone.
Stone is a countable noun and has the same meaning as a rock.
When using an uncountable noun with general meaning you can’t
use either ‘a’ or ‘the’.
b. The wall is made of stone.
Stone is an uncountable noun and it is a type of building material.
c. Money is helpful.
Money is an uncountable noun
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11. The zero article and uncountable nouns
Write a sentence for each of the following nouns.
1. advice
2. information
example/ knowledge
True knowledge is gained through hard work.
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12. The zero article before names
When using a general name such as the name of a flower type, rose, you
can use the article ‘a’.
a. She gave him a rose.
Rose the general name for a type of flower.
When using a specific name, a proper noun, you can’t use either ‘a’ or ‘the’
b. Her sister’s name is Rose.
Rose is the name of a specific person.
c. This is Winnipeg.
d. Where is Nastashya?
Write three sentences using the zero article with a name.
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13. A juicy grammar tidbit!!
Juicy: exciting and desirable
Tidbit: something small
and extra
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https://pixabay.com/photos/nectarine-peach-fruit-deciduous-1074997/

14. A juicy grammar tidbit!!
You can use boththe zero article and ‘some’ with plural nouns and
uncountable nouns.
So how can you choose between using the zero article and using
‘some’?
1.We’re expecting some visitors.
2.We’re expecting visitors.
These two sentences have different meanings. What is it?
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https://pixabay.com/illustrations/artificial-intelligence-brain-think-4389372/shared under CC0

15. A juicy grammar tidbit!!
You can use boththe zero article and ‘some’ with plural nouns and
uncountable nouns.
So how can you choose between using the zero article and using
‘some’?
1.We’re expecting some visitors.
2.We’re expecting visitors.
These two sentences have different meanings. What is it?
Sentence one states how many visitors you’re expecting.
Here, ‘some’ is a quantity.
Sentence two states that you’re expecting visitors,
the quantity isn’t important.
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https://pixabay.com/illustrations/artificial-intelligence-brain-think-4389372/shared under CC0

16. A juicy grammar tidbit!!
Let’s look at another example.
1.Would you like some tea?
2.Would you like tea?
What is the difference in meaning between these two sentences?
Sentence 1 is offering you a quantity of tea.
Sentence two is offering you a drink but the quantity isn’t emphasized.
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17. A juicy grammar tidbit!!
What is the difference in meaning between these two sentences?
1. Do you want black coffee?
2. Do you want some black coffee?
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https://pixabay.com/illustrations/artificial-intelligence-brain-think-4389372/shared under CC0

18. A juicy grammar tidbit!!
What is the difference in meaning between these two sentences?
1. Do you want black coffee?
2. Do you want some black coffee?
Sentence 1 is offering the object, the noun, ‘black coffee’ and
sentence 2 is offering a quantity of something.
Write two sentence pairs. Use the zero article in the first second and
‘some’ in the second sentence.
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19. 19
Review
1. What are the three types of nouns that need the zero article?
2. What does the article ‘a’ mean?
3. What does the article ‘the’ mean?
https://pixabay.com/photos/books-pages-story-stories-notes-1245690/shared under CC0

20. 20
Review
1. What are the three types of nouns that need the zero article?
Plural countable with general meaning, uncountable, some proper
nouns.
2. What does the article ‘a’ mean?
That the noun is general and/or there is only one of it.
3. What does the article ‘the’ mean?
That the noun is specific and/or special.
https://pixabay.com/photos/books-pages-story-stories-notes-1245690/shared under CC0

21. 21
Review
4. What is the difference in meaning between these two sentences?
a. I need some time to think about what to do.
b. I need time to think about what to do.
5. What is the difference in meaning between these two sentences?
a. Would you like milk?
b. Would you like some milk?
https://pixabay.com/photos/books-pages-story-stories-notes-1245690/shared under CC0

22. 22
Review
4. What is the difference in meaning between these two sentences?
a. I need some time to think about what to do.
b. I need time to think about what to do.
Sentence one emphasizes the quantity of time needed ‘some’.
Otherwise the sentences have the same meaning.
5. What is the difference in meaning between these two sentences?
a. Would you like milk?
b. Would you like some milk?
Sentence one is offering the object, the noun, ‘milk’ and sentence two
is offering a quantity of something.
https://pixabay.com/photos/books-pages-story-stories-notes-1245690/shared under CC0

23. Summary
1. The zero article goes with plural countable nouns with general
meaning, uncountable nouns, and some proper nouns .
a)Chairs need to have four legs.
b)Coffee is delicious.
c)Nastashya is on time today.
2. ‘Some’ states a quantity of something.
I want some more soup, thanks.
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24. Questions?
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25. Thank you!
Nastashya Wall
204-946-5140 ex. 201
[email protected]
livelearn.ca