the / a / nothing

IP: 85.222.32.* 24.11.08, 12:46
Hi Jonathan!
I already know basic rules when to use "a" or "the" before a noun. However
could you explain to me please, when can I omit both "a" and "the" before a
countable noun?

There is one more thing i'd like to ask you. I give you two examples of the
sentence:
1. Cakes taste better after dinner.
2. Cakes better taste after dinner.
What is the correct place in a sentence for word better. Of course I ask for a
rule. What is the place in sentences for adjectives.

Thank you!
rgds
kpk
    • jonathan.oakley Re: the / a / nothing 24.11.08, 14:18
      Hi,
      1: "Cakes taste better after dinner" is correct
      2: " better taste" we would use to compare two things such as: "cake
      has a better taste than custard."
      3: A countable noun is a type of noun that can be presented in both
      the singular and plural form-we tend to omit the articles 'a'
      or 'an' with plural nouns.
      4: Eaxmple (singular noun) "A dog walked past my window."
      5: Example (Plural Noun) "Some dogs walked past my window."
      • Gość: kpk Re: the / a / nothing IP: 85.222.32.* 24.11.08, 15:01
        thank you, it helped me.

        But I saw in a book a sentence like:
        I was laying in bed.
        A noun bed is a countable noun. Even though it was written ..laying in bed. Does
        it mean that it is HIS/HERS bed?
        If that is true can I omit A or THE when I talk aobut thing that belongs to me?
        Like: I am sitt in car? ( it is my car)
        Thanks in advance
        kpk
        • jonathan.oakley Re: the / a / nothing 24.11.08, 21:25
          Hi,
          All things in the English language are neuter (with the exception of
          ships which are "her" such as Her Majestys Ship HMS due to Lloyds
          Shipping having used such termology for eons)so to understand whose
          bed it is we can use a possessive adjective like HIS/HERS before the
          noun.

          You can't always omit A or THE when talking about something that
          belongs to you. For example, let's say I asked you what in your room
          belongs to you. You might say, "The T.V, a book..." and so on..:-)
          • wybitniemadry kmiocie i palancie 04.12.08, 13:37
            ucz sie zywego jezyka, miedzy anglikami albo sluchaj zywego jezyka z radia czy tv. angielski ma tylko jedna regule, wszystko ma wyjatki. jestes kmiotem kompletnie nie zanjacym jezyka ktory probuje w nim pisac. Ksiazka Prejbisz/Jasinka/ski? - gramatyka angielska z 78 roku, kawa na lawe nawet taki dupek jak ty zrozumie zasady jezyka bez zadawanie debilnych pytan.
            • jonathan.oakley Re: kmiocie i palancie 04.12.08, 17:53
              This is a forum where you can practise your English-I assume your
              Polish is fine. :-)
              • facet_normalny Re: kmiocie i palancie 06.12.08, 11:50
                I think this person have very strong knowledge with english. Like you can see on
                every he topic try to add something... mostly with nothing really.

                BTW, in poland we call person like that "troll". Have to talk about everything,
                always be on top etc. Is that any special expression in english for this
                behevior? apart of "wrong, bad, frustrated" etc
                • jonathan.oakley Re: kmiocie i palancie 06.12.08, 17:17
                  Like you, I think forums are here to help-to provide ideas and
                  (hopefully!) insight...I know the Gazeta operate many forums for
                  various topics. My wish is that people who use this forum use it for
                  the right reason so thye can get the maximum out of it. :-)
              • viking2 Re: kmiocie i palancie 11.12.08, 05:08
                jonathan.oakley napisał:

                > This is a forum where you can practise your English-I assume your
                > Polish is fine. :-)

                You're giving him too much credit, I'm afraid...:)
                To be quite honest, his Polish is somewhat chaotic, poorly spelled, and it looks
                like his keboard has a broken "shift" key...
      • Gość: kpk Re: the / a / nothing 1 IP: 85.222.32.* 24.11.08, 15:02
        thank you, it helped me.

        But I saw in a book a sentence like:
        I was laying in bed.
        A noun bed is a countable noun. Even though it was written ..laying in bed. Does
        it mean that it is HIS/HERS bed?
        If that is true can I omit A or THE when I talk aobut thing that belongs to me?
        Like: I am sitting in car? ( it is my car)
        Thanks in advance
        kpk
        • Gość: iza Re: the / a / nothing 1 IP: 83.1.112.* 03.12.08, 21:48
          English people say:
          -go to bed - because it is made for sleeping in
          "It's time to go to bed"
          -be in - because of the same reason
          "This morning I had breakfast in bed"
          BUT :
          "I sat down on THE bed" - because it is a particular piece of furniture
          or " I would like to buy a comfortable bed" -it is a particular piece of
          furniture I have been looking for recently
          Be careful with "work" and "home"
          you go to work
          you are at work
          you start work
          you finish work
          you go home,arrive home,come home,are at home

          the are some rules about "the"
          you will go to prison if you commit crime
          you will go to THE prison if you want to visit somebody there

          you will go to church to pray
          but if you want to take some photos,you will go to THE church

          I hope it helps
          • Gość: iza Re: the / a / nothing 1 IP: 83.1.112.* 03.12.08, 21:50
            there are some rules INSTEAD OF the are..I' ve made a mistake,sorry
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