EXCEPTIONS TO USING THE DEFINITE ARTICLE "THE"

EXCEPTIONS TO USING THE DEFINITE ARTICLE "THE"

1. There is no article:

   • with names of countries (if singular)
     • Germany is an important economic power.

2. There is no article:

   • With names of countries (if singular)
     • Germany is an important economic power.
       • But: I’m visiting the United States next week.
         • There are beautiful beaches in the Philippines.
   • with the names of languages
     • English uses many words of Latin origin.
       • Indonesian is a relatively new language.
   • with the names of meals.
     • Lunch is at midday.
       • Dinner is in the evening.
         • Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.
   • with people’s names (if singular)
     • Raul is my cousin
       • But: we're having lunch with the Morgans tomorrow.
   • with titles and names:
     • Prince Charles is Queen Elizabeth’s son.
       • President Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas.
         • But: the Queen of England, the Pope
   • After the ‘s possessive case
     • His brother's toy.
       • Peter's truck

3. There is no article:

   • with professions
     • Engineering is a useful career
       • He’ll probably go into medicine.
   • with names of shops
     • I’ll get the card at Smith’s
       • Unless is part of the name – e.g. The Body Shop
   • with years
     • 2020 was a chaotic year.
       • Do you remember 1995?
   • With uncountable nouns
     • Milk is often added to tea in England
       • War is destructive
   • with the names of individual mountains, lakes and islands
     • the Himalayas
       • the Panama Canal
         • She lives near Lake Windermere
   • with most names of towns, streets, stations and airports
     • Can you direct me to Bond Street?
       • They’re flying from Heathrow.
   • In some fixed expressions
     • By air
       • At school
         • On holiday
           • In bed