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  • Indefinite article: A or AN
    The indefinite article is used to refer to something not specifically known to the person you are communicating with. We normally use it:

– To introduce s.o./sth. that has not been mentioned before:
I saw an elephant this morning.
I ate
a banana for dessert. 

– To talk about professions:
I am an English teacher and he is a builder.
She is eager to work
as a barrister.

– To express rates:
My wife earns little over 1.200€ a month.
He was driving at only 50 kilometres
an hour when the police stopped him.

Note: we use ‘a’ or ‘an’ depending on the first sound of the next word, not the letter. If it’s a consonant sound, ‘a’; if it is a vowel sound, ‘an’.
        Let me get an umbrella.
        I’ll have it finished in an hour.
If I could, I’d like to work in a university.


  • Definite article: THE
    We use normally ‘the’:

– To talk about something you have already mentioned:
She’s got two children; a boy and a girl. The boy is eight and the girl is fourteen. 

– To talk about geographical points on the globe, rivers, oceans and seas:
The North Pole is probably the coldest place on Earth.
The River Nile is in Africa. 

– To refer to certain nouns when there is only one:
It’s a beautiful day thanks to the sun.
The Pentagon is one of the safest places in the US.

– To say that a particular person or thing is the best, most famous, etc.:
If you love burgers, Foster’s Hollywood is the place to go. 

– To talk about countries with the words ‘kingdom’, ‘states’, ‘emirates’, ‘republic’:
I spent my last summer in the United Kingdom learning English. 

– To talk about countries or territories with multiple areas:
Apparently, marihuana is legal in
the Netherlands.
I have been told that
the Philippines are wonderful!

– To talk about numbered roads and motorways:
We drove on the A25 for three kilometres before taking the exit onto the M6. 

– To use superlatives and with first, second, third when they are adjectives:
John won the first prize. He wrote the best story.

– To express groups with adjectives:
With this crisis, the poor are growing poorer whilst the rich are growing richer.

– To talk about the names of theatres, cinemas, hotels, galleries and museums:
The National Gallery and the British Museum are London tourist attractions.  


  • Zero article
    We don’t normally use an article:

– To talk about things in general:
People drive me crazy with their spelling mistakes.
Unfortunately,
money is at the chore of everyone’s problems. 

– To talk about sports:
My best friend loves football.
Golf must be one of the most expensive sports to practise.

– Individual mountains and lakes:
Lake Victoria and Mount Kilimanjaro are both in Africa.

– To talk about most countries:
Italy is a lovely place to live in.

– With certain expressions: at home, go home, go to bed, be at home/work, next/last + time expression, etc.
I’ve been at
home all weekend.
We might go to the cinema
next week. 

– To talk about institutions and their normal purpose: church, hospital, school, prison, university, etc.
After the accident, Jimmy had to spend a week in
hospital.
If I didn’t want to go to university, I wouldn’t be in
school now, would I?

– To talk about roads, streets, parks, shop and restaurants when the name is given:
Boots is a famous pharmacy franchise in the UK.
I’d love to have lunch today in
McDonald’s

 

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