Articles

Articles

1. DEFINITE (the)

   • Referred to before or common knowledge
     • I wouldn´t buy a watch from the man standing outside the bank.
   • Only one of something
     • The Earth, the Sidney Opera House.
   • Rivers, seas, mountains, regions, national groups...
     • The United States, the Netherlands, the Atlantic, the Himalayas.
   • Species
     • The cat, the polar bear.
   • Buildings
     • I´m going to the prison to visit a prisioner.
   • Superlatives
     • The biggest tower in the world.
   • Musical instruments
     • I play the piano.
   • Talking specifically about something
     • The life of an airline pilot is hard.

2. INDEFINITE (a/an)

   • Before a singular countable noun
     • It is used when we are talking about something in general or when it is mentioned for the first time.
     • I saw a man outside the bank selling watches.
     • A pet can be a good companion for the elderly.

3. NO ARTICLE

   • Most streets, countries, single mountains, towns, cities, lakes...
     • Except for the High Street
     • Austria, Mont Blanc, Tokyo.
   • Sports
     • I play football well.
   • A noun used generally
     • Life is hard.
   • Illnesses
     • She´s off school with chickenpox.

4. EXPRESSIONS

   • Go to prison, go to hospital
     • If you have been guilty of a crime, if you are ill.
   • Go to the prison, go to the hospital
     • To visit someone, to work.
   • Other
     • To go to bed
     • To have lunch/dinner/breakfast.
     • To go on holiday.
     • To go to work.
     • In Octuber.
     • To hold office.