ARTICLES

The definite article: the

We use the definite article the:
1. When the person or thing referred to is unique:
EG. The sun came out and soon we were dry.
2. To talk about specific things when the context makes it clear what we
are referring to:
EG. Your shoes are in the cupboard.
3. To talk about previously mentioned things:
EG. A man and a woman walked into the room. The man was wearing
sunglasses.
4. With superlatives:
EG. He is the bravest person in the team.
5. To talk about a generic class of things:
EG. The tiger is in danger of becoming extinct.
6. With oceans, seas, rivers and deserts.
EG. He sailed across the Atlantic and the Pacific.
We went by chance to the Orinoco.
She said she had driven across the Sahara.
7. With plural mountain ranges and island groups
EG. Are the Andes as high as the Himalayas?
The British Isles include the Isle of Wight and the Isle of Man.
8. with continents and countries whose name includes a common noun.
EG. He is from the Czech Republic but he is living in the United States.
9.Areas: EG. There is a range of mountains in the north.
10. with hotels, cinemas, theatres :
EG. They had afternoon tea at the Ritz.
That new Polish film is on at the Odeon.
11. with newspapers: The Times, The Guardian ..
12. with national groups : EG. The English are a mixed race.
 THE IDEFINITE ARTICLE : A/AN
We use the indefinite article a/an:
1. With (singular) jobs . EG. Is your sister a football fan, too?
2. With singular countable nouns (mentioned for the first time).
EG. I would like a sandwich and a glass of orange juice.
3. With these numbers: 100, 1000, 1000000
EG. There were over a hundred people at the wedding.
4. In exclamations about singular countable nouns.
EG. What an amazing view!

THE ZERO ARTICLE

We use no article when talking about:
1. Uncountable, plural and abstract nouns used in their general sense
EG. We had awful weather on holiday! Happiness is not the only
thing in life.
2. Continents and countries:
EG. They are going to visit Africa.
Have you been to Nepal?
3. Mountains and lakes:
EG. They are going to climb Mount Everest.
Is lake Vidraru in Romania?
4. Villages, towns and cities
EG. San Marco is a pleasant little fishing village.
5. Streets, roads etc
EG. In London, there are some good shops on Oxford Street.
6. Magazines: EG. Do you read Time magazine?
7. Illnesses:
EG. I have got flu and Sue has got indigestion.
Watch out! I have got a headache and I think I am getting a cold.
We also use no article in the following expressions:
To/at/from school/university/college
At home
Go home
In/to class
To/in/into/from church
To/in/into/out of prison/hospital/bed
To/at/from work
For/at/to lunch/dinner
By car/bus/plane/tube/boat
On foot
By accident/chance