1. When to use a/an The first time you mention something:
I saw an old man with a dog.
When you say what something is:
This is a very good textbook.
For professions:
She is a lawyer.
In exclamations with what...!:
What a beautiful day!
In expressions of frequency:
We have classes twice a week.

2. Exclamations with what...!
What a beautiful day!
What a nice surprise!
What *** nice shoes!
What *** good friends they are!
What *** awful weather!
What *** delicious food!

3. When to use the
When you’re talking about something that has been mentioned before:
I saw an old man with a dog and the dog was barking.
When there’s only one of something:
The moon goes around the earth.
When it’s clear what you’re referring to:
Can you open the door, please?
The cover of your book is mostly green.
With some places in town, like cinema and theatre:
I’m going to the cinema / to the theatre.
With superlatives:
This is the best restaurant I’ve ever been to.

4. When to use zero article
When you’re speaking in general (plural/uncount. nouns)
*** Women talk more than *** men.
Before meals, days and months:
I never have *** breakfast on *** Sunday.
Before time expressions with next, last, yesterday, tomorrow, ago:
We’ll start lesson 5C *** next Thursday.
With some places in town (), such as school, home, work, church, after at/to/from:
She’s not at *** home today.
I get back from *** work at 5.30.
She is in *** hospital because she had a car accident.

5. Institutions
Institutions = prison, church, school, university, hospital
Use zero article when you’re thinking about the institution and its general purpose.
Use a or the if you’re thinking of the building.
My cousin’s in *** hospital. The hospital is very modern.
Maluf should be in *** prison. They’re building a new prison in SP.

6. Geographical names Use zero article with: Countries: Brazil
Continents: South America
Mountains: Mount Everest
Lakes: Lake Victoria
Roads, streets, parks: Penny Lane, Central Park

7. Geographical names Use the with: Mountain Ranges: The Himalayas
Rivers: The Mississippi
Seas: The Baltic Sea
Canals: The English Channel
Deserts: The Sahara
Island Groups: The Falklands
The names of cinemas, restaurants: The Ritz, The Roxy