Articles
and Types of Nouns
Known Nouns Versus Unknown Nouns
When writers use a noun to talk about something
specific, they know what they are referring to. But they must
consider whether the reader will also know. We saw above that
a writer can use any noun (count or non-count, singular or plural)
to refer to something specific. Sometimes the reader knows what
the writer is referring to. Sometimes the reader does not know.
Specific and Known Versus Specific and Unknown
Here are some examples that contrast nouns that
are specific and known (to the reader) with nouns that
are specific but unknown (to the reader):
The Great Lakes
contain fresh water, not salt water.
(Lakes = count, specific, and known)
We camped by some beautiful lakes
last summer.
(lakes = count, specific, and unknown)
The equipment in
the Photo Lab is all new.
(equipment = non-count, specific,
and known)
We got some new equipment
in yesterday.
(equipment = non-count, specific,
and unknown)
Ensuring That A Specific Noun Is "Known"
There are several different ways that writers
can be confident that readers will know what they are talking
about or, in other words, that a specific noun can be "known."
FIRST, writers may be talking about something
that is unique. Compare, for example, the following two sentences.
In the first sentence, the house referred to is a unique
white house, specifically the residence of the President of
the United States. It is unique and known to readers, unlike
the unknown white house referred to in the second sentence.
The White House stands on Pennsylvania
Avenue.
I live in a white house.
SECOND, writers may rely on a readers' common
sense or general knowledge to know exactly what they are
talking about. Compare, for example, the following two sentences:
The college bookstore
closes at 9:00 P.M.
I bought this book at a downtown bookstore
a few days ago.
THIRD, writers can assume that readers will
know exactly what they are talking about if they have already
mentioned it:
