Why do some plural nouns need [strike]an[/strike] the article "the" in front of them?
Is "an" placed correctly in the above sentence?
Thank you,
Anna
Use of an article is not based on whether a noun is singular or plural. It's based on context and sentence structure.
Here are a couple of examples but there are plenty of other constructions.
Birds have wings. (General statement - no article.)
The birds have wings. (We know which birds are being referred to - article necessary.)
I have birds in my loft. (There are some birds in my loft - no article.)
I have the birds in my loft. (We know which birds are being referred to - article necessary.)
If we make general statements, can we say "The birds have wings" and "A bird has wings"?
As general statements: 'Birds have wings'; 'A bird has wings'.
Generalisations with singular countable nouns
Sometimes we talk about things in general by using 'the' with a singular countable nouns. (68 Articles (8): talking in general by Michael Swan)
I was wondering what 'sometimes' mean in the above sentence. If we make general statements, can we say "The bird has wings" as well as "Birds have wings" and "A bird has wings"?
Thanks for your help.
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