Style of using articles

[mbortas_art55]

Hello everyone,
I'm interested in the rules of using English articles. My questions are:

1. When do we use the indefinite or definite article for a generic noun?
   As far as I know, we can use the definite article when we refer to some classes, categories, groups, instruments, or anything in general (the rich, the poor, the guitar, the police, the radio, etc.). I wanted to define the term "lawyer" as a class by writing this: "The lawyer is the person who defends the client in front of the judge." A lot of native speakers complained that this sentence sounds awkward, and they would rather use the indefinite article or plural ("a lawyer" or "lawyers"). I've also heard that the definite generic noun is often used in formal situations. If so, why haven't I yet found any dictionary, statute, or anything else that defines classes like employees, lawyers, the rich, students, etc.?
2. Does every article have "its own style"?
   I've heard that articles can sound either formal or informal. Apparently, they have their own style of use.
   For example, using the definite article can sound formal in:
   
   academic writings: the dog, the pawn (chess), "The scientist seeks truth through observation."
   poetry
   philosophy: "The truth will set you free," "The end justifies the means."
   proverbs/idiomatic expressions: "The early bird catches the worm."
   technical writings/instructions: press button

while informal styles would include:

• using the indefinite article/plural for definitions ("a lawyer" or "lawyers")
• proverbs ("A good person always arrives at a goal" instead of "The good person always arrives at the goal.")
• using the definite article for emphasis
• omitting articles for sports events or instructions.

I asked ChatGPT about that. You can check it and tell me is it right, or wrong?

1. Why are articles used alternately in sentences?

For example

"Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. Furthermore, no distinction shall be made on the basis of the political, jurisdictional or international status of the country or territory to which a person belongs, whether it be independent, trust, non-self-governing or under any other limitation of sovereignty." (Article 2. UDHR)

Why are the words "rights", "basis", "political status", "country" defined if there are unknow and unspecified?

"Over the past three and a half years, we have made a great progress as a Nation." (Joe Biden, July 21, 2024.)

Biden in his letter in general alternately use definite and indefinite article and I choose one example of that usage. If "three" uses definite article, why "half" use indefinite article?

Are there any tricks which could helps me to know should I use definite or indefinite article?

Thank you in advance!

 

[SoothingDave]

Why do you think the rights are unknown and unspecified when you are citing the very document that defines and specifies them?

 

[teechar]

Hi there, and welcome to the forum.

Please note that we ask members to ask one question at a time, even if they're just discussing the one topic/theme.
Also, we encourage members to first read through similar existing threads, which may well hold the answers to their questions.
Having said that, the use of articles in English is quite a complex area, in the sense that although there are certain rules governing their use, there are also many exceptions.

I'll answer your first question.

I wanted to define the term "lawyer" as a class by writing this: "The lawyer is the person who defends the client in front of the judge."

For professions, the indefinite article is typically used.

 

[mbortas_art55]

Why do you think the rights are unknown and unspecified when you are citing the very document that defines and specifies them?

Because the same document use indefinite article for rights: "All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights" (Article 1.)

 

[mbortas_art55]

Hi there, and welcome to the forum.

Please not that we ask members to ask one question at a time, even if they're just discussing the one topic/theme.
Also, we encourage members to first read through similar existing threads, which may well hold the answers to their questions.
Having said that, the use of articles in English is quite a complex area, in the sense that although there are certain rules governing their use, there are also many exceptions.

I'll answer your first question.

For professions, the indefinite article is typically used.

Does that means that I have to delete all questions and leave one?

 

[SoothingDave]

Where are you seeing an indefinite article in that?

 

[mbortas_art55]

Where are you seeing an indefinite article in that?

Alright, it doesn't have an indefinite article, but the point is that sometimes the declaration doesn't always use the article for words like right like in Article 1.

 

[teechar]

Does that means that I have to delete all questions and leave one?

No, but you can start new a thread for each of the other questions. Do not start more than two or three at a time, please!

 

[BobK]

Does that means that I have to delete all questions and leave one?

It means...
[It does mean...] This was the form used many years ago (before my grandfather was born. You will see it in historical texts and in poetry)
Does that mean...

A way of remembering it is: There's only one S - either in the main verb or in does

 

[jutfrank]

I may be able to save some time.

When do we use the indefinite or definite article for a generic noun?

We don't. We use the zero article for that.

As far as I know, we can use the definite article when we refer to some classes, categories, groups, instruments, or anything in general (the rich, the poor, the guitar, the police, the radio, etc.).

No. These are all specific. The meaning of 'the' is always essentially the same—to specify.

I wanted to define the term "lawyer" as a class by writing this: "The lawyer is the person who defends the client in front of the judge." A lot of native speakers complained that this sentence sounds awkward

If it's meant as a general definition, it's not just awkward, it's wrong.

,and they would rather use the indefinite article or plural ("a lawyer" or "lawyers").

You need the indefinite article for this: A lawyer is a person who ...

I've also heard that the definite generic noun is often used in formal situations.

What is a definite generic noun?

If so, why haven't I yet found any dictionary, statute, or anything else that defines classes like employees, lawyers, the rich, students, etc.?

I don't understand this question. How can a dictionary define a class? What do you mean?

Does every article have "its own style"?

No. Articles don't have any style.

I asked ChatGPT about that. You can check it and tell me is it right, or wrong?

I say it's pretty much all wrong.

Why are articles used alternately in sentences?

They aren't.

For example

Why are the words "rights", "basis", "political status", "country" defined if there are unknow and unspecified?

None of those are defined.

Biden in his letter in general alternately use definite and indefinite article and I choose one example of that usage. If "three" uses definite article, why "half" use indefinite article?

Over the past three and a half years, we have made a great progress as a Nation." (Joe Biden, July 21, 2024.)

The word three does not use a definite article—the definite article is determining the word years. Only nouns use articles. The word half is a noun here.

The article before great progress is wrong here.

Are there any tricks which could helps me to know should I use definite or indefinite article?

No. I'd suggest you try and learn the very basic meanings, but it's really not easy and it might be a waste of time. It's probably a better idea to just try to learn this naturally by exposure and practice.

 

[mbortas_art55]

We don't. We use the zero article for that.

Definitive generic: the giraffe, the pawn, the guitar, the working class
Indefinite generic: a lawyer, a country, a rock
Zero article generic: nobility, upper class, bread

Sources: the British council and Grammarly

What is a definite generic noun?

Generic noun

I don't tunderstand this question. How can a dictionary define a class? What do you mean?

The classical wikipedia regularly define classes like the giraffe, the pawn, the working class

None of those are defined.

"Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. Furthermore, no distinction shall be made on the basis of the political, jurisdictional or international status of the country or territory to which a person belongs, whether it be independent, trust, non-self-governing or under any other limitation of sovereignty." (Article 2. UDHR)

All bolded articles use the article. The articles suggest that nouns are specific, but in this context we don't know which countries and political status are talking about. If we want to talk in general, we are supposed to use indefinite article, which means that we should replace the articles with a articles. If the text dears to use the article for unknow things, than the same text should have to said "the person" instead "a person"

I've heard that legal, academic and scientific texts use definite articles (e.g. the cell) due to formality, and also sounds authoritative. I haven't find yet this official rule, but this is what have I heard from native speakers on a Discord server

 

[emsr2d2]

I don't understand this question. How can a dictionary define a class? What do you mean?

The classical Wikipedia regularly defines classes like the giraffe, the pawn, the working class.

1. Wikipedia is not a dictionary.
2. What is this "classical" Wikipedia?

 

[mbortas_art55]

2. What is this "classical" Wikipedia?

Classical wikipedia
SImple english wikipedia

1. Wikipedia is not a dictionary.

Native speakers use Wikipedia so they can't made mistakes using articles

 

[mbortas_art55]

No. Articles don't have any style.

Definite article in some cases can sounds formal acording to some native speakers, in some cases can empesise things (I saw THE bear). Sometimes can have different meaning: school vs. the school, money vs. the money, shit vs. the shit

 

[jutfrank]

I'm happy to answer any further specific questions about this difficult topic in greater depth if you'd like.

 

[mbortas_art55]

I'm happy to answer any further specific questions about this difficult topic in greater depth if you'd like.

Sure

 

[5jj]

Native speakers use Wikipedia so they can't made mistakes using articles

What do you mean?

 

[emsr2d2]

Classical Wikipedia
Simple English Wikipedia

You must remember to capitalise proper nouns.

Native speakers use Wikipedia so they can't made make mistakes using articles.

Who told you that? Native speakers don't struggle with using articles in their own language. If we struggled with it, we'd consult a grammar textbook or specialist. We certainly wouldn't look at Wikipedia.