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Different approaches to the classification of the parts of speech., 2.…

- - - - The classifying function of the indefinite article is realized in the so-called classifying utterances. Their invariant sentence pattern is: N + Vbe + N1. Those are:
        a) structures with the verb “to be”, for example:
        e.g. This is a computer.
        b)exclamatory sentences beginning with “what” or such.
        e.g. What a long story! He is such a nuisance!
        c) sentences including an adverbial modifier of manner or comparison, for example:
        e.g. You look like a rose! She works as a teacher.
      - The indefinitizing function is realized when the referent of the noun is not a real thing, but it exists in the speaker’s imagination only. Those are sentences containing modal verbs or verbs with modal meaning, forms of the Subjunctive Mood, Future Tense forms, negative and interrogative sentences.
        
        e.g. I wish I had a home like you do.
        Have you ever seen a living tiger?
      - The introductory function
        
        Before sharing some information about the object, we need to introduce it to the hearer. Fairy tales can be used as ideal illustrations of the use of the indefinite article in its introductory function.
        
        e.g. Once upon a time there lived an old man. He had a wife and a daughter. He lived in a small house.
      - The quantifying function
        
        The indefinite article developed from the numeral “one”. The meaning of “oneness” is still preserved when the article is used with nouns denoting measure, like “a minute”, “a year” or “a pound”.