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The Class / A Member (unspecific)

Stating typical characteristics and behavior

 

 

 

The / A — Unspecific Determiners
THE — THE CLASS AS A WHOLE

We use the before a noun to indicate the quality, characteristic or behavior the class. "This is true of all members of the class." The is used before nouns specifying biological classifications, and other classifications, such as, architectural styles, cooking styles, clothing styles, cinema styles, and so on. The (class) is also commonly used in encyclopedia descriptions. 
ANIMALS

The LionThe lion sleeps much of the day.
Environmentalists are trying to protect the polar bear.
The prairie dog is native to central North America.
PLANTS

Banana TreeThe banana grows in equatorial zones.
Vitamin C and are contained in the orange.
The banana fruit grows in hanging clusters.
 

VEHICLES, AIRCRAFT AND SHIPS

Compact CarThe sub-compact is a North American classification.
The hybrid offers consumers fuel economy.
 
MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS

tromboneThe trombone is a brass wind instrument.
Tommy Dorsey plays the trombone.

 
A  — ONE AS AN EXAMPLE OF ALL

We also use a to mention the quality, characteristic and behavior of one member as an example of all; an unspecific one.  "Take any individual (member) and this will be true for the rest."  This determiner is commonly used in speech and writing.
ANIMALS

A lion sleeps much of the day.
Villagers know that a hyena can be very dangerous.
The parakeet is a native of Australia.
PLANTS

A banana makes an excellent snack.
A banana is a seedless fruit.
A plantain is similar to a banana.
VEHICLES, AIRCRAFT AND SHIPS

A sub-compact is a popular size car.
A hybrid is a fuel-saving car.
MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS

A trombone is a very portable instrument.
I love the sound of a trombone.
 

 

 

 

 

The – Classification

Instruments – Violin

violins in Cremona, Italy shop

 

 

 

Classification is used in various fields of study — biology, architecture, linguistics, business, economics, performing arts, and so on— as a system of placing items into increasingly specialized groups. 

Instruments > Stringed Instruments > The Violin   

The violin refers to any and all violins of the class of stringed instruments called "violin". 

"The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which also includes the viola, the cello, and the double bass. The violin is sometimes informally called a fiddle, regardless of the type of music played on it." — Wikipedia

"The violin emerged in its definitive form between 1520 and 1550 in Northern Italy." — Hopkins

 

 

Note the determiners:
CONTEXT REFERENCE EXAMPLE


CLASS OF INSTRUMENT


unspecific


Yehudi Menuhin plays the violin. 

ONE PARTICULAR INSTRUMENT

specific

Yehudi Menuhin was given a violin when he was seven.

ANY INSTRUMENT

unspecific

Yehudi told his students that learning to playing a violin took hours of practice each day.

ALL

unspecific

Yehudi believes that violins are the most soulful of all instruments.

 

 

 

 

Practice 1

Famous Musicians and their Instruments

musician
 

 

Which instrument did each musician play?
  1. Select the response from the list that best completes the sentence. 
  2. Compare your response to the answer by clicking the "check" button.

 

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Practice 2

Common or Scientific Usage?

 

 

Does it refer to "the class" or "one as an example of all"?
  1. Select the response from the list that best completes the sentence. 
  2. Compare your response to the answer by clicking the "check" button.

 

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