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Anonymous Posted 15 years ago
Grammar
Why the 'Zero Article' in this example?
Hi there,
Could anyone explain why the zero article is used in the following example?
"...companies find it surprisingly difficult to translate standards in their codes of practice into ____ case studies that employees can take away and apply to their everyday existence"
The example comes from Business Benchmark Advanced (Bec Higher) Student's Book by Guy Brook-Hart (Cambridge University Press, 2007) page 103, Grammar Workshop: Articles. The Grammar Workshop on page 116 offers the following 'rules':
The definite article is used:
- when the noun is followed by a defining relative clause
The example sentence is indeed a defining relative clause, yet the use of the zero article is correct here.
The following 'rule' is also offered:
Do not use the definite article:
-when talking in general and in the plural.
But can we be said to be talking in general in the example sentence? Does not the very nature of the defining relative clause make 'case studies' something specific as opposed to something general?
I am English teacher with years of experience and a degree in Lingusitics and this one has me stumped. I know that no native speaker would use an article here, but I cannot explain why to my students. Any help would be most appreciated.
Many thanks.
Could anyone explain why the zero article is used in the following example?
"...companies find it surprisingly difficult to translate standards in their codes of practice into ____ case studies that employees can take away and apply to their everyday existence"
The example comes from Business Benchmark Advanced (Bec Higher) Student's Book by Guy Brook-Hart (Cambridge University Press, 2007) page 103, Grammar Workshop: Articles. The Grammar Workshop on page 116 offers the following 'rules':
The definite article is used:
- when the noun is followed by a defining relative clause
The example sentence is indeed a defining relative clause, yet the use of the zero article is correct here.
The following 'rule' is also offered:
Do not use the definite article:
-when talking in general and in the plural.
But can we be said to be talking in general in the example sentence? Does not the very nature of the defining relative clause make 'case studies' something specific as opposed to something general?
I am English teacher with years of experience and a degree in Lingusitics and this one has me stumped. I know that no native speaker would use an article here, but I cannot explain why to my students. Any help would be most appreciated.
Many thanks.
Top answer
The definite article is not required and is therefore often omitted when speaking of generalities, as here.
- The definite article is not required and is therefore often omitted when speaking of generalities, as here.
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1 Answers
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The definite article is not required and is therefore often omitted when speaking of generalities, as here.
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