VO Grammatik im Kontext Englisch .docx

Ind. article for numbers or percentages which is modified (noun like “teacher” – any teacher – bad teacher) by an adjective.

INFORMAL ENGLISH (grammatically wrong, only spoken – Global English, not use in test)

-          We’ll need an extra 10 pounds. (Combination between the indefinite article and the plural form of the noun)

-          He’s been waiting for a good 2 hours.

-          She spent a happy ten minutes looking through the photos.

-          I’ve had a very busy three days (We need the adjective here! Otherwise it doesn’t work, we can’t say: a three days)

-          The inflation rate sank to a surprising low 4 percentage.

-          A good few + plural à extremely informal

-          I bet that house could tell a good few stories.

Ind. article in expressions of price, speed, time, ratios (Verhältniszahl; 2 of 4), etc.

-          The flour is 70 penny a pound.

-          You went along with a speed of 50 miles an hour.

-          This contract expires after half a year.

-          To the town it’s only half a mile. (BrE)

-          To the town it’s only a half-mile. (AmE)

-          They talked for a quarter of an hour.

-          He washes four times a day.

-          This door is open 24/7. (24 hours a day, 7 days a week)

-          I attend evening classes twice a week.

-          He ran up the steps taking two at a time.

-          I’ll be back in a moment/in a minute.

one day (not a day) – eines Tages

-          One evening, while I was relaxing at home, I heard a strange noise.

-          One day I’ll be a famous writer.

3. VO / Thursday, April 2, 2009

Indefinite article referred to religion, job, nationality, political parties,…

-          She was a company director when she retired.

(Because she is not the only director; this is not a unique position)

-          Mr. Smith who might got to know to the exhibition…

-          His wife has been a Euro MP (Member of Parliament) for two years.

-          Mr. Stuart was a catholic while Luther was a protestant.

-          As a catholic, an economist and an expert in social policy I cannot condemn these policies.

-          …as a manager and a …

-          I didn’t realize that Roy Black was a German.

-          Later in his life he became a socialist.

-          Later in his life he turned socialist (zero article after “to turn”)

-          He will never turn traitor.

For unique positions we use no article.

-          Arnold Schwarzenegger has been appointed Governor of California.

-          They chose Mr. M. chairman of the…

-          His duties as head of the institute…

-          She’s been president…

In sentences with position of, post of, role of à zero article before the job title

-          Professor Will Smith has taken on the position of head of department.

Zero article also for uncountable nouns

-          advice

-          information

-          progress

-          experience

-          …

-          You’ve made very good progress.

-          The doctor said that he had considerable experience in midwifery.

-          This is excellent news.

-          Such information can create a competitive advantage.

-          I’ll give you a piece of/some advice (Ich werde dir einen Rat geben.).

-          I have interesting news for you (Ich habe eine interessante Neuigkeit für dich.).

-          I’ve an interesting piece of news for you.

a/an not with weather and English

-          We’re heaving terrible weather (Wir haben ein furchtbares Wetter.).

-          She speaks very good Englisch (Sie spricht sehr gutes Englisch.).

zero article is also used for nouns consisting of 2 parts

-          scissors

-          trousers

-          To cut this material you need very good scissors.

-          To cut this material you need a pair of scissors.

-          Why should I pay a $ 100 for a pair of trousers (Warum sollte ich 100 Dollar für eine Hose bezahlen?).

Illnesses and pains are usually uncountable. Therefore no article à but only in BrE

-          I think I’ve got measles.

-          He has had got a appendicitis.

-          I’ve got toothache again.

INFORMALLY the definite article “the” can be used with less common diseases.

-          She’s never had the measles.

-          I think I got the flue.

BUT

-          I’ve got a terrible cold.