Articles - Unspecific

Articles
A - Unspecific	Framed \| Unframed

Read & Contrast

"A" violin has two possible references.

We could be speaking about a violin, one as a typical example of all violins, or we could be introducing a specific violin.

click to hear a violin

ANY ONE - UNSPECIFIC	ONE - SPECIFIC
STATING CHARACTERISTICS OF ONE AS AN EXAMPLE OF ALL	MENTIONING AN ITEM THE FIRST TIME (SECOND MENTION USES "THE")
A violin is an important part of a symphony. It takes several years to learn to play a violin well. A cello is larger than a violin. A violin has four strings. It's much easier to carry a violin than a bass cello.	A violin was given to the conservatory. A student will be learning to play the violin. A recital in which the student will play is scheduled in June. A reception will follow the recital.

Practice 1

A - an example (not a specific one)

Fill in each blank with the correct article.

A violin is a stringed instrument. It has four strings: E, A, D, G. violin should be tuned often and carefully. Proper storage of violin is very important. violin should be kept in a dry place that is not too warm or too cold. If violin is stored in a damp place, the dampness can cause the wood to swell. A felt lined violin case is the best place to store violin so that it does not get woodworms. A good strong case will also protect violin from getting knocked about.

Compare your responses above with the answers below:

Practice 2

A - one as an example or one in particular?

READING	YOUR RESPONSE
PARIS (Reuters) - An anonymous American bidder paid $920,000 at a Paris auction Tuesday for a violin crafted by Italian master instrument-maker Antonius Stradivari in 1714.	"a violin" refers to: one specific violin any violin - unspecific
A second Stradivarius, said by experts to have been made in 1698 but modified afterward, was purchased by an anonymous European bidder for about $716,000, French auctioneers Drouot said. The sales were the high points of Tuesday's auction of 115 stringed instruments and bows at Drouot's Paris headquarters.	"A second Stradivarius" refers to: one specific violin any violin - unspecific
Auctioneer Jacques Tajan had predicted before the sale that the violin made in 1714 -- which he described as an exquisite instrument -- would sell for between $583,000 and $833,333 "If it sold for a million dollars, this would make me very happy," he had said.	"an exquisite instrument" refers to: one specific instrument any instrument - unspecific
A Stradivarius violin is extremely rare and may fetch an extraordinary price when it comes up for sale. A British woman paid about $617,000 in London in June, 1995, for a Stradivarius for her 10-year-old daughter, a music student in Germany.	"A Stradivarius violin" refers to: refers to one particular Stradivari violin refers to any Stradivari violin

Smithsonian. " Stradivarius Violins" http://www.si.edu/resource/faq/nmah/stradv.htm

Read & Compare

SPEAKING IN GENERAL - ANY ONE (UNSPECIFIC)	SPEAKING SPECIFICALLY OF ONE
MENTIONING QUALITIES AND CHARACTERISTICS OF ONE	INTRODUCING ONE IN PARTICULAR
A *ukelele is a four-stringed instrument.	A ukelele found at a garage sale turned out to be excellent.
A red car is more visibile to a Highway Patrol Officer.	A red car stopped by a Highway Patrol Officer was speeding.
A joke can be a good way to start a speech.	A joke told at the beginning of his speech made everyone relax.

*a small Hawaiian guitar

identifying clauses are highlighted

Practice 3

Identify "speaking in general" or "speaking specifically of one"

#	YOUR RESPONSE /	CHECK ANSWER
1.	A violin sold for over a million dollars in an auction today brought in a record price.
2.	A violin is created through a long painstaking process.
3.	A wolf hunts often hunts in a pack.
4.	A wolf caught in a henhouse devoured the farmer's flock of hens. . devoured = ate
5.	A used car costs much less than a new car.
6.	A used car stolen from the lot of Ace Dealership in Burlingame was later found in San Bruno.
7.	A glass of wine with dinner is relaxing.
8.	I have a glass of red wine with dinner every night.
9.	I spilled a glass of wine on the table cloth and it stained the cloth.
10	I broke a glass and had to replace it.

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Julie Sevastopoulos - College of San Mateo - San Mateo, CA 94402 USA