The use of the indefinite article Before singular countable nouns Countable noun may have No modifier Descriptive premodifier Descriptive postmodifier Main functions of indefinite article: A) Indefinite specific reference (individualizing function) They have a daughter and three sons. B) Generic reference (classifying function) B) Tom wants to become a doctor. A dog is an animal. Other uses:1. Numerical functiona. Weak form of numerical sense of ONEb. one and the same2. Distributive functiona. Once a day3. Before unique abstract or material noun4. Constructions:a. What+an+A+Nb. So+A+a+N = SUCH+A+a+N

ZERO ARTICLE Generic function Indefinite article has no plural form => zero article Abstract nouns Names of languages

Use of articles with proper nouns!!