ARTICLES

Which article? A dog is a domestic animal. (indefinite article) The dog next door barks all the time. (definite article) Dogs are not allowed in this shop. (zero article)

A / an when we don’t know which person or thing we are talking about Tim works in a factory. Leila has got a German car. Sarah works in an office near Times Square. to describe the job or character of a person Peter is an engineer. John is a fool. if we refer to something for the first time I’ve bought a new mobile phone. The phone connects to the Internet. BE CAREFUL: an apple, an elephant, an umbrella; BUT: a uniform, a university, an hour

The when it is clear which thing or person we are talking about Tim works in the factory down the road. The Second World War started in 1939. if we refer to something that we mentioned before I’ve bought a new mobile phone. The phone connects to the Internet. if there is only one of something How many astronauts have landed on the moon? for nationalities or other groups I really admire the Italians.

The playing musical instruments for time expressions for superlatives Do you play the guitar? for time expressions in the past / in the future (but: at present) for superlatives This is the highest building I’ve ever seen in my life. for name of ships We sailed on the Neptune. for oceans and rivers the Pacific / the Amazon

No article (zero article) with plurals and uncountable nouns to talk generally material This chair is made of plastic and leather. food/drinks I love chocolate, but I don’t like orange juice. abstract ideas War is a terrible thing languages Spanish is spoken by about 300 million people. activities Speaking is not allowed during the exam. with most countries, states and cities Mary comes from France. Los Angeles is in California. with geographical areas, lakes, mountaines and islands We climbed Mt. Everest in record time.

No article (zero article) with most streets I bought this dress from a shop in Bond Street. with names of buildings with a place name before We visited Canterbury Cathedrale. with meals when we refer to them in general Dinner is at 7 p.m. with ‘by’ for forms of transports We went there by car.

No article (zero article) with certain buildings/institutions/public places where the purpose of the building is more important than the place itself I am normally at home before 7 p.m. He is in prison. Jenny has already gone to bed. court – prison – hospital – work – class – school – university

BE CAREFUL! After ALL, we need the definite article All the books were interesting. We knew all the people at the party. Before MOST, we don’t have an article when it defines a noun Most people were really friendly. (The most people…) He performed well at most of the exams. (at the most…) Before MOST, we have an article when it is used with an adjective ( superlative) This is the most interesting task. The most famous of them was Joanna.