General Statements

Preview　（腕試し）

Which of the following sentences are natural?

（次の文章の中では、どれが自然でしょうか？　チェックボックスも利用できます。）

1. I like cat and dog.

2. Do you like computers?

3. Many people think computers are very useful machines.

4. I don't really care for rainy day. How about you?

5. The dolphin is a very interesting animal.

A. 1, 2, & 4

B. 2, 3 & 5

C. all

D. none

　

Quick Glossary （用語辞典）

general = 一般的な

specific = 特定の

plural = 複数の

countable = 数えられる

uncountable = 数えられない

Explanation （説明）

We often use general statements when talking about things such as our likes and dislikes or when giving our opinions. There are several different ways in which you can make general statements.

EVERYDAY CONVERSATION

1. Use a plural noun for countable nouns.

I like cats.

Samuel hates rainy days.

Computers are useful tools. I'm interested in computers, especially Macs.

2. Use an uncountable noun.

Which do you like better, pizza or sushi?

Pizza is very tasty, but it's not good to eat a lot of it.

Do you like chocolate cake? (Note that cake can also be a countable noun, but in a general question or statement the uncountable noun sounds more natural.)

SPECIFIC vs. GENERAL

Specific: Joey likes a book called Oliver Twist.

General: Joey likes books.

FORMAL

1. Use "the" or "a" before a singular noun. Note: This usage is a little bit formal--you won't often hear it in casual conversation.

The cat is an intelligent creature.

(Note: If you say "I like the cat," the listener may think you like a specific cat, such as "the cat in the window" or "the cat that lives in the house next door." If you say "I like a cat," the listener may ask, "which cat?")

A rainy day is a depressing thing, isn't it?

The computer is a useful tool. I'm very much interested in the Mac.

Exercises（練習）

1. Which do you prefer, cats or dogs cat or dog ?

2. Are you interested in computer computers ?

3. Do you think dolphin the dolphin is really an intelligent animal?

4. Ayako says she doesn't really care for soft drinks like Coca-Colas Coca-Cola .

5. I don't know about you, but I think action movie action movies are not so interesting. I really prefer to watch comedies.

6. Fumiko said she wasn't interested in computer animation computer animations , so we didn't talk about movies such as "Toy Story" and "A Bug's Life."

7. Takako was interested in classical music classical musics when she was in school, but now she's more interested in jazz.

8. The scientist in the documentary said that the cheetah cheetah is the fastest animal on earth.

9. Do you like to drink coffees coffee with your breakfast?

10. Cindy likes cool weather, so she prefers cloudy days cloudy day to sunny ones.

　

Answers:

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

6. 7. 8. 9. 10.