§ 4. The use of articles with class nouns modified by attributes.

The definite article is used when a noun is modified by an attribute which shows that a particular object is meant, i. e. by an attribute which might be called a particularizing attribute. The use of a particularizing attribute implies the idea of ‘тот, который’; ‘именно тот, этот’.

The letters that I have here have come to me quite by accident.

A particularizing attribute should not be confused with a descriptive attribute. A descriptive attribute is used to describe an object or to give some additional information about it.

In a fortnight I got a long letter, which I considered odd.

§ 5. Nouns of material

With nouns of material used in a general sense, when a certain material as such is meant, no article is used.

Honey is wholesome. On hearing what had happened, she ran for warm water...

When a definite part of the substance is meant, the definite article is used.

She put down a glass of the sherry which Cornelius had finally brought. The meat was good and White Fang was hungry.

When an indefinite part of the substance is meant, some is used.

We took some bread and cheese with us, and got some goat's milk up there on the pasture.

Nouns of material denoting different sorts of material are countables and the articles are used according to the general use of articles with class nouns.

A pleasure to give a good wine to a young woman who looked so well.

This use is very rare.

§ 6. Abstract nouns

When abstract nouns are used in a general sense, no article is used.

While there is life there is hope.

When abstract nouns are modified by a particularizing attribute or when the situation makes the idea definite, they are used with the definite article.

Last night I heard Carmen and enjoyed the music.

Note . — The abstract noun weather is never used with the, indefinite article.

What fine weather it is.

When the noun weather is used in a general sense, the definite article is used.

There are people who say that the weather can influence people’s mood.

Abstract nouns can be used with the indefinite article. In this case the abstract noun denotes a certain kind (оттенок) of a quality, feeling, state, etc. The noun nearly always has a descriptive attribute.

How clever you are, Mr. Hopper. "You have a cleverness quite of your own.

The indefinite article is used with the nouns period, population, distance, height, salary, etc. followed by of + numeral + noun.

Simpson was out of the city for a period of ten days.

Note. —With countable abstract nouns the use of the articles is the same as with class nouns.

Use of articles with proper nouns

§7. Names of persons.

1.Names of persons are used without articles.

Sarie looked at Lanny and Celia.

2. Names denoting the whole family are used with the definite article.

The Dashwoods were now settled at Berton.

3. When names of persons are used to denote a representative of a family, the indefinite article is used.

“Florence will never, never, never be a Dombey,” said Mrs. Chick.

4. Names of persons modified by a particularizing attribute are used with the definite article.

You’re not the Andrew Manson I married.

5. Names of persons used as common nouns take the article according to the general rule on the use of articles.

“Why, you are quite a Motite Cristo.” Mozart has been called the Raphael of music.

6. Nouns denoting military ranks and titles such as academician, professor, doctor (both a profession and a title), count, lord, etc. followed by names of persons do not take the article. In such cases only the proper noun is stressed: Colonel 'Brown, Doctor 'Strong.

Common nouns denoting professions followed by names of persons are generally used with the definite article. In this case both nouns are stressed.

The painter Gainsborough has left many fine pictures.

Note. However if the name of a person is nearly always used with the common noun denoting his profession, the word group becomes an indivisible unit and the article may be omitted: judge Brown.

7.Nouns expressing relationship followed by names of persons do not take the article: Aunt Polly, Uncle James.

Nouns expressing relationship not followed by a proper noun and the nouns nurse, cook, baby do not take the article when used by members of the family.

“I’d like to see Mother,” said Emily.

If other people’s relations are meant, the article is used.

The son is as clever as the father.

8. The use of articles with names of persons modified by adjectives is varied.

In most cases no article is used with names of persons modified by the adjectives old, young, poor, dear, little, honest, lazy.

... she is the widow of poor Giovanni Bolla ...

When modified by other adjectives and participles names of persons take the definite article.

The astonished Tom could not say a word.

9. Names of persons modified by the adjective certain are used with the indefinite article.

I heard it from a certain Mr. Brown.