2017-09-12 Grammar: generic/particular, definite/indefinite

Greg Malivuk
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http://www.pastebin.com/u/gmalivuk - notes from all classes
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Homework: exercise 4 - Try to write one generic and one particular statement for each word
2 A new car is safer than an old car.
  Peter bought a new car.
3 The English language is very popular around the world.
  The English language spoken in Australia is different from American English.
4 Bostonians travel in public transportation.
  I can go to the party if I can find transportation.
5 England drinks a lot of tea. Tea is my favorite drink.
  I want some tea. I drank tea with my lunch.
6 Salespeople are very important to every company. I hate when salespeople call during dinner.
  I need to hire salespeople for my new store.
7 Brings bring knowledge to their readers.
  Some books are on the shelves.
8 Construction is hard work. Hard work is important for success.
  Paul needs to do a lot of hard work for his job.
9 Chinese food is delicious. I love Chinese food.
  There is Chinese food in the refrigerator, if you’re hungry.
10 Teenagers cause trouble.
   If you drive over the speed limit, you will be in big trouble. I’m having trouble with this grammar.
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Particular indefinite uses of noncount nouns and plural count nouns mean the same with or without “some”.
	There is Chinese food in the fridge. = There is some Chinese food in the fridge. (part.)
	Chinese food in Boston is not good. != Some Chinese food in Boston is not good. (gen.)
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In general, if you can add a quantifier without really changing the meaning, it’s particular, but if the quantifier makes the meaning different, the original was generic.
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Definite and Indefinite Articles
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For particular statements, the definite article (“the”) means both the speaker and the listener know which one(s) the sentence is about. Indefinite articles (a/an, some) or the zero article means at least one of the speaker or listener doesn’t know.
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I want to buy a new car. - I don’t know which one, and you don’t know which one.
I just bought a new car. - I know which one, but you don’t know which one.
I heard you bought a new car. - I don’t know which one, but you know which one.
The new car that I bought yesterday is really nice. - We both know which one (it’s the one that I bought yesterday).

Did you watch the game yesterday? - I think you know which game I’m talking about.
Please give me the pencil. - I think you know which pencil (probably because there is only one).
Please give me a pencil. - I don’t know which one you’ll give me (and probably don’t care).
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p. 319 exercise 5 - Who knows which one(s) the sentence is about?
1 Neither listener nor speaker knows which one.
2 Speaker knows. Listener doesn’t know.
3 Speaker knows. Listener doesn’t know.
4 Both know.
5 Listener doesn’t know. Speaker may have an idea.
6 Speaker doesn’t know. Listener knows.
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Homework: p. 319-320 exercise 6 and 7