使用零冠词的典型情形
所谓用零冠词,即既不用定冠词,也不用不定冠词。这类情况主要有:
1. 表泛指的不可数名词或复数名词前。如:
Snow was failing. 正在下雪。
Children get a better education today than at any time in the past. 现今孩子们受的教育比过去任何时候都好。
2. 倒装的让步状语从句中:在as(虽然)引导让步状语从句前面的单数可数名词前不用冠词。如:
Child as he was, he knew how to help others. 他虽是个孩子,但已知识如何帮助别人。
3. 某些特殊词前:例如在man(人,人类), word(消息)的前面不用冠词。如:
Man is a rational animal. 人是理性的动物。
Word came that he had married again. 有消息说,他又结婚了。
又如动词 turn(变成),go(变成)后作表语的名词前通常用不用冠词。如:
He was a teacher before he turned writer. 他在成为作家之前是教师。
4. 独立主格结构中:在表示伴随或补充说明用用的独立主格结构中,名词前不用冠词。如:
The teacher came in, book in hand. 老师走进教室,手里拿着书。
He was sitting in the chair, pipe in mouth. 他坐在椅子里,嘴里叼着烟斗。
5. “(a) kind [sort] of+名词”结构的“名词”前:该结构中的“名词”不管是单数还是复数,其前都通常用零冠词。如:
This kind of book is very interesting. 这种书很有趣。
He is the sort of person I really dislike. 他这种人我真不喜欢。
6. 表抽象意义的单数名词前:当单数可数名词含义抽象化具有形容词意味时,通常用零冠词。如:
I was fool enough to accept his offer. 我接受他的提议真是太傻了。
Are you man enough for this dangerous job? 你有勇气敢做这项危险的工作吗?