THE DEFINITE ARTICLE

We use the definite article:

THE ZERO ARTICLE

We use no (zero) article:

to refer again to something which has already been
mentioned
with the preposition by and forms of transport
eg: Shes on a camp. The camp takes two weeks.
eg: They went by bus.
with plural states and countries
eg: They went to the Netherlands and the USA.

with the words school, home, university and college

when we are referring to a particular place
eg: Im starting school next week.

with mountain ranges, oceans, seas and rivers

eg: We love to see the Himalayas/ the Pacific Ocean/ the with meals
Mississippi
eg: We had steak and chips for lunch.
with names of theatres, cinemas and hotels
eg: We stayed at the Continental Hotel in Bucharest.

with subjects and languages

eg: We are studying English and French.

with parts of the day

eg: She arrived in the morning.

with sports and games

eg: He plays chess every day.

with superlatives
eg: Its one of the coldest places Ive been to.

with streets, towns and countries

eg: She lives in Saxon Street in Winchester.

when there is only one of the thing mentioned

eg: The sun has just come out.

with abstract nouns

eg: Knowledge of languages is important.

with musical instruments

eg: He plays the violin very well.

with uncountable nouns

eg: Do you take sugar?
with general plurals
eg: I prefer teaching children.