Page 129 - Grammar for Great Writing B

9.3 Using the Definite Article (continued)

Notes
1. Use the definite article the with quantity phrases such as all of, most of, some of, and none of.
Most of the participants in the study felt they benefited from one-on-one tutoring.
2. The definite article is sometimes used to refer to geographical names. For more information, see Appendix 3,
Capitalization and Punctuation, page 218.
The United States is home to the Mississippi River, the third longest river in North America.
3. The definite article is used with a singular noun to make a general statement, especially in technical and scientific
writing.
The computer has influenced the way people communicate in several ways.

9.4 Using No Article (Ø)
Sometimes no article occurs before a noun. Do not use an article:

1. to refer to general categories or groups Polar bears cannot live on land due to their
inability to dig with their paws.

2. to make a general statement with a noncount Pollution is one of the most pressing
noun environmental problems countries face today.
3. to make a general statement with a plural Studies show that many consumers are not
noun saving enough for their retirement.

4. to refer to some diseases or illnesses: The number of people suffering from diabetes is
arthritis, cancer, AIDS, polio, heart disease, expected to increase sharply over the next two to
diabetes, high blood pressure three decades.

Notes
1. An article is not used to refer to proper nouns: specific places, people, businesses, and publications.
Sam Walton founded both Sam’s Club and Walmart.
2. An article is generally not used to refer to days, months, seasons, and holidays.
December 21, the first day of winter, has a long history of celebrations dating back to Stonehenge.
An exception is that the can be used to refer to a specific season in a specific place.
The winters in Saskatchewan are much colder than the winters in Florida.

Common Uses 119

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