Andrew: Welcome back, Bella! How was your holiday? Isabelle: Hi, Andrew. It was fantastic. It's a shame you didn't come. Andrew: OK, don't make me jealous. Just tell me all about it. Isabelle: Well, Greece was amazing. I took lots of pictures, but I got sunstroke. Andrew: How awful! Isabelle: Well, I should have been more careful. Anyway, after Greece, I went to Italy, but I got seasick on the ferry. Andrew: Oh, poor thing! Hope it didn't spoil your holiday. Isabelle: No, not at all. Italy was fantastic! The people are very friendly and I loved Italian cuisine. You have to go to Rome some day. It's beautiful. Andrew: Yes, maybe next year. Did you manage to go to Spain? Isabelle: Yes, but I had a bit of trouble in Barcelona. Andrew: Really? What happened? Isabelle: My purse was stolen while I was waiting for a bus. Luckily, there wasn't much money in it. Andrew: That's bad luck! Isabelle: I know, but these things happen and I didn't let it spoil my holiday. Andrew: Good for you! Anyway, the important thing is that you're back safe and sound, and you had a good time. Isabelle: That's true, and I'm thinking of going back next year if you're interested. Andrew: Sounds good!
Перед существительным во множественном числе неопределенный артикль в английском языке не употребляется никогда, зато определенный неизменяем независимо от количества существительных. Отсюда два вывода: 1) если в тексте встречаются существительные во множественном числе без артикля, значит в единственном каждое из них фигурировало бы с неопределенным артиклем; 2) наличие артикля the перед существительными во множественном числе является признаком того, что собеседнику или читателю эти существительные должны быть известны.
1) By this time next year you will have graduated from the University. 2) All last week he was preparing for the examinations. 3) That man has been teaching at the University since 1985. 4) Water changes into ice when the tempreture drops below zero. 5) Kindly repeat what you have just said. 6) I only succeed in solving the problem after I have been working on it for several hours. 7) He reminded me that we had been classmates at school. 8) I heard that you had given up the idea of learning English. 9) By the time he is thirty he will have become a good engineer. 10) My friend went to Moscow last summer and he had been working there since then. 11) When I get back they probably will be working at the computer. 12) When I go to the library the next day I will find the book exactly where I have left it.
Isabelle: Hi, Andrew. It was fantastic. It's a shame you didn't come.
Andrew: OK, don't make me jealous. Just tell me all about it.
Isabelle: Well, Greece was amazing. I took lots of pictures, but I got sunstroke.
Andrew: How awful!
Isabelle: Well, I should have been more careful. Anyway, after Greece, I went to Italy, but I got seasick on the ferry.
Andrew: Oh, poor thing! Hope it didn't spoil your holiday.
Isabelle: No, not at all. Italy was fantastic! The people are very friendly and I loved Italian cuisine. You have to go to Rome some day. It's beautiful.
Andrew: Yes, maybe next year. Did you manage to go to Spain?
Isabelle: Yes, but I had a bit of trouble in Barcelona.
Andrew: Really? What happened?
Isabelle: My purse was stolen while I was waiting for a bus. Luckily, there wasn't much money in it.
Andrew: That's bad luck!
Isabelle: I know, but these things happen and I didn't let it spoil my holiday.
Andrew: Good for you! Anyway, the important thing is that you're back safe and sound, and you had a good time.
Isabelle: That's true, and I'm thinking of going back next year if you're interested.
Andrew: Sounds good!