John kenter Posted 13 years ago
Grammar
Zero Article
Hi, guys, I'd like to ask a question related to usage of zero article. I found some sentences that include such usage when I was reading an article featuring Chinese show business.
The first one is:"THE buildings on the studio lot of China Film Group, a vast government-owned company, are grey, windowless and identical. The air, even 20km outside Beijing, is heavy with pollution. Inside, Jiang Wen is filming his newest movie about a dance competition in 1920s Shanghai. He is standing on a stage with sequined dancers. Around 400 extras in black tie look on from a Gaudiesque theatre, built for the shoot. Mr Jiang, in a grey T-shirt and 3D glasses, scurries up and down the stage giving directions. . Cameras swivel around the dancers, capturing their gyrations and the audience’s reaction."
My question is why would the author use zero article "cameras" to refer to the cameras being used in the movie the author is talking about? I have trouble figuring it out since the author uses the definite article "the buildings" at the start of this article to refer to the buildings surrounding the studio lot.
The second one :
" Some say that the censors are loosening up a bit. A racy scene was cut from “So Young”, for example, but several abortions were left in. “No Man’s Land”, a sinister thriller, was held up for more than two years because censors thought it was “too dark” and “too distant from real life”
My question is if the author uses the definite article " the censors " at the begining, then why would the author change it to zero article "censors" afterwards?
I'd be grateful if you could explain for me. Thank you.
The first one is:"THE buildings on the studio lot of China Film Group, a vast government-owned company, are grey, windowless and identical. The air, even 20km outside Beijing, is heavy with pollution. Inside, Jiang Wen is filming his newest movie about a dance competition in 1920s Shanghai. He is standing on a stage with sequined dancers. Around 400 extras in black tie look on from a Gaudiesque theatre, built for the shoot. Mr Jiang, in a grey T-shirt and 3D glasses, scurries up and down the stage giving directions. . Cameras swivel around the dancers, capturing their gyrations and the audience’s reaction."
My question is why would the author use zero article "cameras" to refer to the cameras being used in the movie the author is talking about? I have trouble figuring it out since the author uses the definite article "the buildings" at the start of this article to refer to the buildings surrounding the studio lot.
The second one :
" Some say that the censors are loosening up a bit. A racy scene was cut from “So Young”, for example, but several abortions were left in. “No Man’s Land”, a sinister thriller, was held up for more than two years because censors thought it was “too dark” and “too distant from real life”
My question is if the author uses the definite article " the censors " at the begining, then why would the author change it to zero article "censors" afterwards?
I'd be grateful if you could explain for me. Thank you.
Top answer
john kenter THE buildings on the studio lot of China Film Group , The article is due to the phrase in red, which tells us which buildings are meant. " There's no such defining phrase after cameras. Another example of an article: The cameras [which/that are] used in this studio are of excellent quality.
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john kenterTHE buildings on the studio lot of China Film Group,The article is due to the phrase in red, which tells us which buildings are meant.
john kenterCameras swivel around the dancers, capturing their gyrations and the audience’s reaction."There's no such defining phrase after
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