Articles and Determiners

A/an and the

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Agenda

Definition: A/An Usage: A/An Definition: The Usage: The Definition and Usage: No Article Summary: Plurals Example

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Definition: A/ an (singular)

a and an = indefinite articles to refer to something in a less specific manner (unspecified count noun).

“one among many”

A newspaper has an obligation to seek out and tell the truth.

unspecifiedOne among many

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Usage: A/ An

1. Unspecific singular count nouns:

A computer is a useful tool.

2. When you can add “in general”A repeater takes a weak signal from one segment and passes it to the next segment.

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Definition: The (singular and plural)

The = definite article usually precedes a specific noun previously mentioned or part of a group

A new chip was introduced yesterday. The new chip will radically improve the performance of most PCs and will cost less than the older model.

unknown

known specific

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Usage: The

1. A specific representative of a category:

The Windows Operating System is still the determining factor for the implementation of most software.

2. An essential phrase follows the noun:

The chip which was described above is expensive to build; the circuits on the chip are etched using copper and platinum, platinum being the most expensive of the materials used in this experiment.

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Usage: The

3. The noun refers to a class as a whole:

The CPU sets the requirements for all other components in a PC.

4. An of phrase follows the noun:

Platinum is the most expensive of the materials used in this experiment.

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Definition: no article at all

Always indefinite Singular: used with abstract and

noncount nouns not otherwise specified Plural: plural of a/an

Innovation involves the integration of products, markets, and technologies

abstract (singular)

abstract(plural)

indefinite

indefinite

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Summary: Plurals

The (singular) The copper etching on the chip is less exact than the platinum etching.

The (plural) The two etchings differ in their quality.

A (singular)

Instead of using a Windows platform, we should have considered using a flavor of Linux.

Zero-article (plural) Linux operating systems are more flexible than Windows platforms.

specific not specific

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Example0Innovation involves the integration of 0products, 0markets, and 0technologies. This conclusion may appear obvious, but the integration seldom occurs. Apparently, it is easier to suffer the negative results of not integrating, than taking the time to integrate. 0New products generally require 0new technologies; 0new products often depend on 0new markets or 0market segments. 0New technologies without 0product or 0market applications provide no benefit. 0New products without 0new technologies will not survive in the marketplace. 0Products without 0market acceptance, regardless of 0technological advances and their internally perceived benefits, consume 0resources without providing any added value.

http://www.ieee.org/organizations/eab/icet/TEarticles/tutorials/innovation/organizationalrequire.htm

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More information

http://webster.commnet.edu/grammar/determiners/determiners.htm

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