1. Some fixed expressions don’t follow these rules:
Name or normal noun?
Includes a normal noun? x
the
Countable or uncountable?
Singular or plural?
General or specific?
a(n)
Articles* no
Created by Sandy Millin
yes
name
haven’t met it before
not important which one
general
singular
met it before
important which one
specific
normal
plural
haven’t met it before
not important which ones
countable
general
met it before
important which ones
<Including countries in plural
specific
uncountable
haven’t met it before
not important which ones
general
*Works about 90% of the time!
Some fixed expressions don’t follow these rules:
at home, at school, at work
for breakfast, for lunch, for dinner
on holiday by bike, by car, by train, etc.
go (for a purpose): go to bed, go to school, go to hospital etc.
met it before
important which ones
specific