Przedimki i kwantyfikatory (Articles & Quantifiers)
UΕΌycie a/an, the, zero article oraz some, any, much, many, few, little, each, every
Articles and Quantifiers β Complete Guide
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Part 1: Articles (a/an, the, zero article)
A / AN β Indefinite Article
Use "a" before consonant sounds, "an" before vowel sounds:
- a book, a car, a university (sounds like /juΛ/), a one-way street
- an apple, an hour (silent h), an honest man, an umbrella
When to use A/AN:
- First mention of something: I saw a dog in the park.
- One of many (not specific): She's a teacher. / He's an engineer.
- With singular countable nouns in general statements: A dog is a loyal animal.
- With "what" in exclamations: What a beautiful day!
- Meaning "per": twice a week, 60 km an hour
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THE β Definite Article
When to use THE:
- Second mention (already known): I saw a dog. The dog was brown.
- Unique things: the sun, the moon, the Earth, the Internet
- Superlatives: the best student, the tallest building
- Ordinal numbers: the first time, the second floor
- With of-phrases: the capital of Poland, the beginning of the story
- Musical instruments: She plays the piano.
- Specific groups: the rich, the poor, the elderly, the British
- Geographical names (see table below)
- When both speaker and listener know which one: Close the door. (we both know which door)
THE with geographical names:
| THE | NO article |
|-----|-----------|
| the United States, the UK | Poland, France, Italy |
| the Netherlands, the Philippines | Most countries (single name) |
| the Pacific (Ocean), the Mediterranean | Lakes: Lake Baikal |
| the Alps, the Himalayas | Mountains: Mount Everest |
| the Amazon, the Nile, the Thames | Single islands: Crete, Sicily |
| the Sahara (Desert) | Continents: Europe, Asia |
| the Canary Islands | Cities: Warsaw, London |
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Zero Article (no article)
When to use NO article:
- Plural/uncountable nouns in general statements: Books are important. Water is essential.
- Meals: Let's have lunch.
- Sports/games: She plays tennis.
- Languages: He speaks Polish.
- Days, months: See you on Monday. I was born in July.
- Academic subjects: I study mathematics.
- Home, school, work, church, hospital, prison (as institutions): She went to school. He's in hospital. (BUT: She went to the school to meet the teacher. β specific building)
- By + transport: by bus, by train, by car (BUT: on the bus, in the car β inside)
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Part 2: Quantifiers
Countable vs. Uncountable β key distinction:
| Countable (policzalne) | Uncountable (niepoliczalne) |
|----------------------|---------------------------|
| book, car, student, idea | water, music, information, advice |
| one book, two books | β two waters, β two informations |
| a book, books | water, some water |
Common uncountable nouns (czesto mylone):
- information (NOT ~~informations~~)
- advice (NOT ~~advices~~)
- news (NOT ~~a news~~)
- furniture, luggage, equipment
- homework, research, knowledge
- money, weather, traffic, progress
- bread, rice, sugar, coffee (as substance)
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Quantifiers Table:
| Quantifier | Countable | Uncountable | Both |
|-----------|-----------|-------------|------|
| some | | | β (affirmative) |
| any | | | β (negative/question) |
| many | β | | |
| much | | β | |
| a lot of / lots of | | | β |
| few / a few | β | | |
| little / a little | | β | |
| several | β | | |
| each / every | β (singular) | | |
| enough | | | β |
| no | | | β |
| plenty of | | | β |
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Few vs. A Few / Little vs. A Little:
| Quantifier | Meaning | Example |
|-----------|---------|---------|
| few | almost none (negative) | Few students passed. (very small number β bad) |
| a few | some, enough (positive) | A few students stayed to help. (some β good) |
| little | almost none (negative) | There is little hope. (barely any β bad) |
| a little | some, enough (positive) | I have a little money left. (some β fine) |
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Some vs. Any:
| Rule | Some | Any |
|------|------|-----|
| Affirmative | I have some friends. | β |
| Negative | β | I don't have any friends. |
| Questions (general) | β | Do you have any questions? |
| Questions (offers/requests) | Would you like some coffee? | β |
| After "if" | β | If you have any problems... |
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Each vs. Every:
| Each | Every |
|------|-------|
| Individual members of a group | The whole group together |
| Each student received a certificate. | Every student must take the exam. |
| Can be used alone: each of them | Cannot be used alone: β every of them |
| Usually 2-3+ items | Usually 3+ items |
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Najczestsze bledy (Common Mistakes):
- β I need an information. β β I need some information. / I need a piece of information.
- β She gave me an advice. β β She gave me some advice. / She gave me a piece of advice.
- β I have much friends. β β I have many friends.
- β She plays the tennis. β β She plays tennis. (sport = no article)
- β The life is beautiful. β β Life is beautiful. (general = no article)