the selection of the appropriate articl

[Anonymous]

Hello,

the sentences below are selected for the generic reference :

A computer is a useful researchtool . ........ indefinite

The computer is a useful researchtool .........Definite

Computers are useful researchtools . .......... Zero- articl

How can the native speaker select the articl for the generic or specific refernce?

Thanks .

[Pete]

Hello,

the sentences below are selected for the generic reference :

A computer is a useful research tool . ........ indefinite

The computer is a useful research tool .........Definite

Computers are useful research tools . .......... Zero- articl

How can the native speaker select the article for the generic or specific refernce?

Thanks .
-- All of these are natural and have the same basic meaning. There is a slight difference in emphasis or context. (Note that "research tool" must be 2 words.)

>A computer is a useful research tool. ........ indefinite
-- This is very common, both in everyday conversation and in more formal contexts. The emphasis is that any individual computer is (at least potentially) a useful research tool.

>The computer is a useful research tool. .........Definite
-- This sounds much more formal. Using "the computer" as a generic reference implies that there is a formal category of things called computers, and you are making a statement that applies to all things of that category. You would more likely hear this in a formal talk or paper than in casual conversation.

>Computers are useful research tools. .......... Zero- article
-- This, like the first, is common in both formal and less formal contexts. Here you want your listener to visualize a number of computers rather than a single representative computer. The meaning is no different from the first statement, however.