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HUNGARIAN-ENGLISH GRAMMATICAL CONTRASTS: THE NOUN PHRASE The reference here is to an indefinite number or amount (often equivalent to some). This is similar to non-specific reference expressed by a(n). In such sentences some can be inserted without a significant change of meaning: 1 We have some tea and coffee, but no milk. 2 We have some friends in high places. The zero article can also express generic reference: Life is hard. Time is money. Music shall live. Words are lightly spoken. Tigers are dangerous. Proper names, which are assumed to have the zero article, have specific, definite reference: Mary, Chicago, Mount Everest, Queen Elizabeth There are also some special uses of the zero article with singular countable nouns, expressing specific, definite reference, where otherwise we would expect the or a/an to occur: He was captain of the team. He was re-elected president in November. The ceremony took place in church. He travelled from country to country. They are going out for dinner. We see eye to eye; face to face, body and soul; travel by air/car/horse; send by satellite link THE INDEFINITE ARTICLE Only singular countable nouns can take the indefinite article. The indefinite article expresses indefinite meaning, which means that we assume that the listener cannot identify the person/thing that we are talking about, although we have a specific person/thing in mind (indefinite, specific reference). I have brought you a book. There is a policeman behind you. Therefore, a(n) is used to introduce a new specific entity into the discourse. It can often be found in the first line of news items: A Long Melford pensioner was in council accommodation last night after a blaze in her home. A passer-by who noticed smoke billowing from the premises raised the alarm. .73 +
