Articles

[|Use of articles]

[|Exercises]

The definite article //(//// the ////) is// most commonly used:
 * Articles**


 * when there is only one of something, either in existence or in a particular context.

//I'd like to speak to// // the // //manager, please.//
 * // when something is mentioned again. //

//I've read three novels and two plays by Camus.// //What did you think// //of// // the // //plays?//
 * // when both listener and speaker know what is being referred to. //

//Hurry up!// // The // //film starts in 10 minutes.//
 * // when talking about a specific aspect of something, where the noun is followed by //o f // . //

//We're studying the history// // of // //architecture.//
 * // to speak generally about certain groups of singular countable nouns. //

a. Inventions: // The // //mobile phone is thought to pose a serious threat to health.// b. Animal species: // The // //whale is still hunted by some countries such as Japan.// //Not enough is being done to help the homeless.// //Who is// // the // //greatest footballer in the world?// //I’d love to learn to play// // the // //piano.// //Shall we get// // the // //bus or take a taxi?// //We're going to// // the // //mountains rather than the coast.//
 * with adjectives referring to general classes of people, eg //the homeless, the blind, the deaf, the rich, the poor, the old, the young, the French, the Spanish//
 * with superlatives.
 * with musical instruments.
 * with types of transport which have a fixed timetable.
 * with some countries, eg //the USA, the UK//
 * with oceans, mountain ranges, deserts, rivers, etc, eg //the Atlantic,// // the // //Pyrenees, the Sahara, the Thames//
 * with some geographical areas.

// A // //man went into a bar with a fish.// //It's quiet in here. Shall I put// // a // //record on?// //My father is// // a // //nuclear scientist.//
 * B. The indefinite article** **//(//****// a/an //****//) is//** **most commonly used:**
 * when a singular countable noun is mentioned for the first time.
 * when referring to any one of several things.
 * when talking about a person's job.
 * with some numbers, eg //a hundred and one dalmatians, a thousand people, a million pounds//
 * when it means `per' in some expressions, eg //twice a day, 50 miles an hour, £80 a week//

a. Plural countable nouns //Do you think computers will replace teachers?// b. Abstract nouns. //We sang songs o////f l ove and peace. // //c.// Other uncountable nouns //Alan won't eat cheese or meat.// //I went to Bond Street when I was in London.//
 * C.** **No article is used:**
 * ** when referring ** to nouns in a general sense **** . ** **
 * // with most streets, towns, cities and countries. //
 * with public buildings in towns: eg //Luton Airport, Oxford University//
 * // in many common expressions, eg //to go home, to go to work/school/university/prison/hospital/church/bed, to go on holiday, to be at home/work/ school/university, to be in hospital/church/bed/prison, to go by car/bus/coach/train/plane, to have breakfast/ lunch/dinner (but have a meal), at night (but in the morning/ afternoon/evening)// //