Page 91 - Practical English Usage 3ed - Michael Swan, Oxford

- Would you like some more rice? (An indefinite amount - as much as the listener wants.)
We need rice, sugar, eggs, butter, beer, and toilet paper. (The speaker is thinking just of the things that need to be bought, not of the amounts.)
- Is there any water in the fridge? (The speaker wants a limited amount.)
Is there water on the moon? (The interest is in the existence of water, not the
amount.)
- This engine hardly uses any petrol. (The interest is in the amount.)
This engine doesn't use petroL (The interest is in the type of fuel, not the amount.)
We do not use some/any when it is clear exactly how much/many we are talking about. Compare:
- You've got some great books.
You've got pretty toes. (A definite number - ten. You've got some pretty toes would suggest that the speaker is not making it clear how many - perhaps six or seven!)
For details of the difference between some and ally, see 547. For full details of the uses of some, see 546; for ally, see 55.
68 articles (8): talking in general
1 the does not mean 'all'
We do not use the with uncountable or plural nouns to talk about things in general- to talk about all books, all people or all life, for example. The does not mean 'all'. Instead, we use no article. Compare:
- Move the books offthat chair and sit down. (= particular books)
Books are expensive. (NOT The bBBies are e!(Hffl3itJe.)
- I'm studying the life ofBeethoven. (= one particular life)
Life is complicated. (NOT The life ... )
- Where's the cheese?""I ate it. - Why has the light gone out?
I love cheese. Nothing can travel faster than light.
- I've joined the local Dramatic Society.
It's not always easy to fit in with society.
- I never really understood the nature of my father'S work.
She's very interested in nature, especially animals and birds.
- Write your name in the space at the bottom of the page.
Would you like to travel into space?
Note that most (meaning 'the majority of) is used without the.
Most birds can fly. (NOT The 1'/ItiSt •••)
Most of the children got very tired. (NOT The 1'/Itnt • ••)
2 generalisations with singular countable nouns
Sometimes we talk about things in general by using the with a singular countable noun.
Schools should concentrate more on the child and less on exams.
This is common with the names of scientific instruments and inventions, and musical instruments.
Life would be quieter without the telephone. The violin is more difficult than the piano.
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articles (8): talking in general 68
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