|
English communication is usually about something specific or
about something general. Specific things include the history
of a place or event, a person's autobiography, a story about a particular
place or person or event. General things are statements of theory or
general facts or general beliefs.
Here's an example of a specific event. This story is about what
happened to my sister:
On Friday afternoon, a car hit my sister. The car was driven by
an old man. The old man had taken some strong medicine. The medicine
made him sleepy. My sister had a broken arm, but she was not hurt
so bad that she had to stay in the hospital. The doctors and nurses
in the emergency room were very kind as well as very efficient. We
plan to send them a letter to thank them for their help.
Here's an example of a generic statement. It is not about particular
accountants but about accountants in general.
Accountants are trained to keep accurate financial records for
different types of organizations. Some accountants work for corporations
or for the government. Other accountants have businesses to help members
of the public. These accountants are called CPAs--Certified Public
Accountants.
Why does this matter?
If you are writing something specific, you use nouns and articles in
a particular way. If you are writing something general, you use nouns
and articles in another way. Many of the exercises here in Chapter 9
are built on the difference between specific and generic meaning.
|
Nouns & Generic
Meaning
|
|
Nouns are used in special ways when we communicate about general
topics. Nouns are used for generic meaning in definitions, explanations
of theory, and other communication focused on generalizations.
Here are the ways that nouns are used for generic meaning.
|
|
1. Generic-1.
Singular with a/an. To
mean "one example" of a larger category. It is generally
restricted to statements that are giving definitions.
|
A student is a person who studies.
A teacher is a person who helps students.
An accountant prepares and analyzes financial records.
A computer is a machine that does calculations.
My brother is a lawyer.
I am a teacher.
I really need a computer that can handle graphics better.
|
|
2. Generic-2.
The + Singular Noun. This
use is very formal and more often found in scientific and technical
writing. Generic-3 is similar in meaning.
The following versions have the same meaning as the versions with
the + singular:
Computers
have changed modern life.
Tigers
are greatly feared by rural Indians.
|
The computer has changed modern life.
The tiger is greatly feared by rural Indians.
|
|
3. Generic-3.
Plural Noun with no article. This
noun phrase is used to refer to a whole category--and means "all
members of this category." It is very commonly used in both
writing and speaking--and in both formal and informal uses.
|
Students
often
study in the library.
Accountants work
in corporations, for the government, and in private businesses.
Computers
are
basic tools
for modern scientists.
I think that teachers should not give
so many tests.
|
| 4.
Generic-4. The
with plural noun. This
version is not used often and will not be included in the exercises
in Chapter 9. |
The Germans
are supposed to like sausage and beer. |
|
4. Generic-5:
Noncount noun with no article.
Noncount nouns have generic meaning as part of their basic meaning--they
refer to classes or groups or collections rather than to individual
items.
|
Sugar
is Cuba's most important agricultural product.
Music
is found in all human groups.
|
| |
|
