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Jacek From Kwidzyn (Pomesania) Posted 21 years ago
Grammar
"zero article" once again
Hello,
Once more I'd like you help me explain a similar problem:
Which rule has been used in the below sentence that before "shift" the zero article was used:
At the end of shift you need to do another full calibration measurement, for which an appropriate sequence would be..
The word "shift" is countable, so because of this fact it is not clear to me.
thank you in advance
Jacek
Once more I'd like you help me explain a similar problem:
Which rule has been used in the below sentence that before "shift" the zero article was used:
At the end of shift you need to do another full calibration measurement, for which an appropriate sequence would be..
The word "shift" is countable, so because of this fact it is not clear to me.
thank you in advance
Jacek
Top answer
Hi Jacek, I'd say it's because you are using the word 'shift' in a general and non-specific way, instead of talking about 'your shift' or 'my shift'. ' Please write again if you have any more questions about this. Best wishes, Clive
- Hi Jacek, I'd say it's because you are using the word 'shift' in a general and non-specific way, instead of talking about 'your shift' or 'my shift'.
- ' Please write again if you have any more questions about this.
- Best wishes, Clive
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10 Answers
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Hi Jacek,
I'd say it's because you are using the word 'shift' in a general and non-specific way, instead of talking about 'your shift' or 'my shift'.
It's like 'class' in 'After class, everyone leaves.'
Please write again if you have any more questions about this.
Best wishes, Clive
I'd say it's because you are using the word 'shift' in a general and non-specific way, instead of talking about 'your shift' or 'my shift'.
It's like 'class' in 'After class, everyone leaves.'
Please write again if you have any more questions about this.
Best wishes, Clive
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thank you, Clive
Now it's clear..
best whishes
Jacek
Now it's clear..
best whishes
Jacek
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I think it should be "at the end of your shift" or "at the end of the shift".
Without the determiner it impresses me as simply telegraphic style.
I don't place "shift" in the same group of words as "class" (academic sense) or "mass" (religious sense), but rather in the same group as "day", "hour", "week", all of which require "the" in the cited context.
Maybe it's a British tu
Without the determiner it impresses me as simply telegraphic style.
I don't place "shift" in the same group of words as "class" (academic sense) or "mass" (religious sense), but rather in the same group as "day", "hour", "week", all of which require "the" in the cited context.
Maybe it's a British tu
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I don't think it's a BrE turn of phrase, CJ. I'd go with telegraphic.
MrP
MrP
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Let me check it out on Google.
at the end of one's shift 33,170
at the end of the shift 24,800
at the end of a shift 13,400
at the end of each shift 12,800
at the end of shift 823
My dictionary says 'shift' is countable.
paco
at the end of one's shift 33,170
at the end of the shift 24,800
at the end of a shift 13,400
at the end of each shift 12,800
at the end of shift 823
My dictionary says 'shift' is countable.
paco
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Hi,
Interesting results. However, they make me wonder, not for the first time, how reliable a guide Google is to the way people actually speak. I find it hard to believe that in the world of shift-work, and even in Britain, the commonest spoken phrase is 'at the end of one's shift'. It seems a little more 'refined' than I would have expected.
Best wishes, Clive
Interesting results. However, they make me wonder, not for the first time, how reliable a guide Google is to the way people actually speak. I find it hard to believe that in the world of shift-work, and even in Britain, the commonest spoken phrase is 'at the end of one's shift'. It seems a little more 'refined' than I would have expected.
Best wishes, Clive
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I must be misgoogling. I only get about 20 for at the end of one's shift; but 5770 for at the end of your shift.
I suppose people could be discussing their undergarments.
MrP
I suppose people could be discussing their undergarments.
MrP
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In my posting, "one's shift" means "my/your/his/her/our/their shift".
paco
paco
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Misgoogling sounds serious, but I'm sure I saw a pill advertised the other evening for people who suffer from it.
Clive
Clive
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Paco2004In my posting, "one's shift" means "my/your/his/her/our/their shift".Ah, sorry! Didn't realize.
paco
MrP
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