Articles With General and Abstract Ideas
I can distinguish general concepts, identified instances and singular count nouns.
Try the activities, then check your answers.
Try the activities, then check your answers.
Choose a short recording.
Start with the contrast
Technology can change a workplace describes a broad concept. The technology in this studio is unreliable identifies a particular system. A useful technology names one type. The same noun can be construed generally, specifically or as a countable category; article choice follows that meaning.
Read the situation transcript
Technology can change a workplace describes a broad concept. The technology in this studio is unreliable identifies a particular system. A useful technology names one type. The same noun can be construed generally, specifically or as a countable category; article choice follows that meaning.
Why does the second sentence use the?
Compare your idea
The phrase in this studio identifies the particular technology under discussion.
How it works
General plural nouns and uncountable concepts often take no article: artists need time; creativity matters. Use the when the reference is identifiable in context: the creativity of this design. Use a/an for a singular countable instance or type when appropriate.
Do not treat abstract as synonymous with never having an article. Context and countability can change the construal: experience as knowledge differs from an experience as an event. Specificity alone does not automatically force the if the referent has not been made identifiable.
General plural/mass: zero article. Identifiable reference: the. One non-identified singular count instance: a/an.
Notice this
Creativity matters in this fictional workshop.
The concept is general.
Compare this
The creativity of this design surprised us.
The reference is identified by the following phrase.
Hear the examples
Creativity matters in this fictional workshop.
The concept is general.
The creativity of this design surprised us.
The reference is identified by the following phrase.
Working there was an unusual experience.
Experience means a countable event.
She has experience of restoring furniture.
Experience means accumulated knowledge.
One mistake worth avoiding
Instead of: She has an experience of restoring furniture, meaning general practical knowledge.
Say: She has experience of restoring furniture.
Use uncountable experience for accumulated practical knowledge in this intended meaning.
You say
Hear the prompt, answer aloud, then deliberately reveal or hear one possible model. Check it and retry with a changed detail.
Your turn 1
State a general idea without turning it into a particular instance.
Compare a possible model
Reveal the model text
Creativity takes time.
Check yourself: Use the mass concepts generally.
Retry with one detail of your own. Other wording is welcome when it meets this check.
Your turn 2
Identify a particular manifestation of that idea.
Compare a possible model
Reveal the model text
The creativity of this design impressed me.
Check yourself: Give the identifying context.
Retry with one detail of your own. Other wording is welcome when it meets this check.
Your turn 3
Contrast knowledge and a memorable event with experience.
Compare a possible model
Reveal the model text
She has experience of teaching, but yesterday’s workshop was a new experience for her.
Check yourself: Keep the two construals clear.
Retry with one detail of your own. Other wording is welcome when it meets this check.
Two guided self-checks
Say or write your answer before opening a model.
Self-check 1
Explain the contrast: “experience” / “an experience”.
Compare a model and explanation
Practical knowledge versus one event someone undergoes.
The article change accompanies a countability and meaning change.
Self-check 2
Add an article only where the reference is identified: ___ technology in this studio.
Compare a model and explanation
The technology in this studio.
The modifier identifies the particular system.
Check your understanding
Choose one answer to each question, then check your answers. One of the ten questions is listening.
Automatic scoring needs JavaScript. Use the answer key after attempting all ten questions.
Answer key with explanations
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For a general concept: ___ creativity matters.
No article: Creativity is used as an uncountable general concept.
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For the identified system: ___ technology in this studio is unreliable.
The: The following phrase identifies the particular technology.
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A single memorable event was ___.
an unusual experience: Use an before the vowel sound in unusual for a singular countable event.
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Which sentence uses experience as accumulated knowledge?
She has experience of restoring furniture.: Uncountable experience refers to knowledge gained through doing.
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Does abstract meaning forbid the in every context?
No: An abstract idea can be identified in a particular instance or manifestation.
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Correct “It was a interesting experience.”
It was an interesting experience.: A/an depends on the following sound; interesting begins with a vowel sound.
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Which sentence refers to a general class?
Artists need time to experiment.: The bare plural artists gives the general class reading.
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Which experience is described as one event?
The unusual workshop: An unusual experience describes the workshop as a countable event.
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Which contrast preserves the intended meanings?
Experience helps; the experience of this particular team is relevant here.: The correct pair contrasts a general mass concept with an identified instance.
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What should guide article choice?
Countability, identifiability and the intended general or particular reading: Article choice is meaning-sensitive, not a fixed label attached to a word.
Take it with you
I can distinguish general concepts, identified instances and singular count nouns.