• Can you restate each noun phrase in the "count singular" column as a plural noun phrase, and each one in the "count plural" column as a singular noun phrase?
  
• Look at the nouns in the "noncount" column:
  • Do any of them surprise you? (Can you see how the writer considered them to be "without boundaries" in this context?)
    
  • Can you add countable nouns as "counters" to "quantify" them? Or restate the same idea using a different, countable noun?
    
  • Are there any cases of the same noun appearing in both a "countable" column and the "noncount" column? Can you see the difference in meaning?
  • Can you use any of the "noncount" noun phrases as "countable" nouns, and imagine a context for them? Can you imagine "noncount" contexts for any of the "countable" nouns?

• Can you see how the writer considered each noun phrase in the "definite" columns to be "unique" in some way? .. and each in the "indefinite" columns NOT to be so? (You can refer to the chart below)
• Are any of the noun phrases in the "definite" column really "generic"? (see the explanation below:) How does this affect their use? (What about the noun phrases in the "indefinite" columns?)
• Can you imagine a "definite" context for each definite noun phrase, and restate it as such? Can you restate the "indefinite" noun phrases to fit a "definite" context?

DEFINITE NOUNS Specific reference for speaker and hearer (or reader and writer) (The speaker or writer knows and does not expect the listener or reader to wonder "Which ..?") Situations in which a speaker/writer might assume that the listener/reader will not wonder "which (noun)?": A. The noun is enough. Everyone understands which one(s), because there's only one logical possibility... ... in the world: ... in the setting: ... for the social group: the moon / the stars / the equator the blackboard(s) / the clock / the bench / the answers the President / the teachers / the father B. The speaker/writer adds enough information that the listener/reader knows which one(s).    This might be by: ... mentioning it earlier: ... adding an "exclusive" modifier: ... adding a description: ... pointing (by gesture): (verbally): ... indicating possession: I saw a dog and a cat. The dog .. the last sentence / the same book / the biggest shoes the brown house on the corner / the books I bought ( -->) the chair that chair his chair / a boy's fears

GENERIC NOUN PHRASES

A. Most generic nouns look just like indefinite nouns. You need to look very closely to find any differences, but here are two:

• Singular and plural generic count nouns can be almost interchangeable.
  A book makes a good gift for a friend.
  Books make good gifts for friends.
  
  (Both sentences = All books make .....)

• "Second mention" of generic nouns doesn't require the. (since we're still not talking about specific people or things known to the speaker/writer and listener/reader):
  Q: What's an equestrian?
  A: An equestrian is a person who rides a horse.

  "The following is a test of the emergency system. It is only a test."

B. A few generic countable nouns look like definite nouns (they follow the), even though they do not refer to specific, unique things! (they are NOT definite) These are much less common than the ones that look like indefinite nouns.

• The and a singular count noun can refer to a whole group (not just one specific member). This occurs often in formal writing, and with inventions, musical instruments, parts of the body.

  The lion is endangered The heart is like a pump When was the radio invented? She plays the piano. The inexperienced student may need help.

  (which lion? not just one lion, but all lions) (which heart? all hearts) (which radio? not the radio in my apartment, but the idea) (which piano? She has this general ability.) (which student? Any inexperienced student.)

• The and a plural count noun can occasionally refer to all members of a human group in general .. not just particular people konwn to the speaker/writer and listener/reader. This is the least common kind of generic nouns, usually referring to a religiously, politically, or professionally-based group of people.

  The Germans are known for their beer. The Republicans will meet in Philadelphia

  (which Germans? all of them) (which Republicans? representatives of all of them)

  The can also be followed by an adjective (with no noun) to refer to a whole class (usually of people):

  The blind leading the blind The rich and the poor

  (which blind what? all blind people) (which rich/poor what? all rich/poor people)

Ann Salzmann
Intensive English Institute
University of Illinois