Question 79: How do I know which article to use?
Answer: If it is a specific noun, or one that has already been referred to in the text, then you will probably use "the" (the street where you live).
If it is not specific but is countable, you will probably use "a", or "an" in front of a vowel sound (a train will get you there; an ostrich is a nasty bird).
If the noun is plural, abstract, meant in a general sense, or is not countable, then it may not require an article at all (children love to shout; liberty is all I ask; students need more sleep; music of the coal miners inspired the poet).
When trying to determine which article to use, ask these questions about the noun: Is it specific? Has it been referred to in the text? Is it singular or plural? Is it countable? Is it abstract or general?
问题79：怎样决定冠词的使用？
回答：如果是一个具体名词或者在前文中那个词已经被提到过了，我们通常用the。
例如：the street where you live
如果是一个复数名词或是抽象名词，而且没有什么特殊意义或者不可数，那么，我们通常不使用任何冠词。
例如：children love to shout; liberty is all I ask; students need more sleep; music of the coal miners inspired the poet
在决定选用什么冠词前，我们通常可以想一下这几个问题：是具体的、在前文中提到过的词吗？是单数还是复数？可数吗？是抽象的还是普通的？
79：怎样决定冠词的使用？
»
