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Victork Posted 11 years ago
Grammar
"The" with plural nouns
Hello!
I know that in English plural nouns have either zero article or, in some situations, the definite article. Can the following rule be summarized:
You use zero articles (no article) with plural nouns where, if that noun were singular, you use an indefinite article. (Commissions = A commission)
My English go-to guy says that it is 'one way to look at it' but not a rule by any means.
What do you think?
Thanks, Vic
I know that in English plural nouns have either zero article or, in some situations, the definite article. Can the following rule be summarized:
You use zero articles (no article) with plural nouns where, if that noun were singular, you use an indefinite article. (Commissions = A commission)
My English go-to guy says that it is 'one way to look at it' but not a rule by any means.
What do you think?
Thanks, Vic
Top answer
victork You use zero articles (no article) with plural nouns where, if that noun were singular, you use an indefinite article. (Commissions = A commission) It seems to me that this "rule" is just saying that you can use the zero article with the plural form of count nouns. I can't think of an exception, but the use of articles in English is quite complicated, so there might be!
- victork You use zero articles (no article) with plural nouns where, if that noun were singular, you use an indefinite article.
- (Commissions = A commission) It seems to me that this "rule" is just saying that you can use the zero article with the plural form of count nouns.
- I can't think of an exception, but the use of articles in English is quite complicated, so there might be!
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4 Answers
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victorkYou use zero articles (no article) with plural nouns where, if that noun were singular, you use an indefinite article. (Commissions = A commission)It seems to me that this "rule" is just saying that you can use the zero article with the plural form of count nouns.
I can't think of an exception, but the use of articles in English is quite complicate
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victorkYou use zero articles (no article) with plural nouns where, if that noun were singular, you use an indefinite article. (Commissions = A commission)We not infrequently use some/any with plural nouns where, if the noun were singular, we would use am indefinite artice,
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Thank to both of you, but I am still a bit unclear. I am sorry. 
Here is an example (I think I am refuting my own rule now):
Here is an example (I think I am refuting my own rule now):
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victorkThe product costs $2000 and $2100 with commissions.Fine. Commission is a count noun.
He does not get a commission.
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