Cohesion and Clarity
12- 30
Definite
Nouns that refer to the following are preceded by definite articles:
▪ something specific (including ordinal numbers [ first, etc.] and superlatives [ most, etc.]) ▪ something already mentioned ▪ something identified by a word, phrase, or clause that follows ▪ something unique ▪ something known (understood) by both the speaker and the listener or reader These nouns can be count (singular or plural) and noncount. the erb-B gene …expression of erb-B. The gene… the study supporting our hypothesis [the only study] But: a study supporting our hypothesis [one of several studies] the sun the phone (Can you please answer the phone?)
Note: Organs of the body are usually preceded by the. He was hit in the stomach. Damage eventually occurs to the liver.
Note: Count nouns that refer to a class of items can use the indefinite article (a/an or Ø ) or the definite article (the) — without changing the meaning of the statement.
Indefinite, singular and plural: a rodent, rodents A rodent develops cancer relatively easily in response to chemical carcinogens. Rodents develop cancer relatively easily in response to chemical carcinogens.
A human body is like a sophisticated computer. Human bodies are like sophisticated computers.
Definite, singular only: the rodent The rodent develops cancer relatively easily in response to chemical carcinogens. The human body is like a sophisticated computer.
Proper Nouns
Proper nouns are the names of particular people, places, journals, organizations, etc. George Washington, Houston, American Cancer Society
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