use and examples on the use of definite, indefinite or zero article.

1. ARTICLES
SEPTEMBER 14TH, 2021

2. The definite article: the
1. When the person or thing referred to is unique.
• The sun came out and soon we were dry.
• The president is giving a speech tonight.
• He won a medal at the Olympic Games.
2. When the rest of the sentence makes it clear what we are referring to
• The head of my old school was called Mr Jones.
• The woman who stopped me was wearing a badge.
3. When the surrounding context makes it clear what we are referring to.
• Your shoes are in the cupboard.
• Your dinner’s is the fridge.

3. 4. To talk about previously mentioned things or people.
• A man and a woman walked past. The man was wearing sunglasses.
5. With superlatives
• He’s the bravest person in the team.
6. To talk about generic class of things (often on topics related
to science or technology)
• The bicycle was invented about 200 years ago.
• The panda is in danger of becoming extinct.

4. The definite article continued
1. With some social and national groups, when making
generalisations (followed by a plural verb).
• The unemployed need more support.
• Some of the English are descended from Danish invaders.
2. With areas such as north, centre, etc.
• Most of the population live in the north.
3. With oceans, seas, rivers and deserts.
• He’s sailed across the Atlantic.
• We went by canoe up the Orinoco.
• She said she’d driven across the Sahara.

5. 4. With plural mountain ranges and island
groups
• Are the Andes as high as the Himalayas?
• The British Isles include the Isle of Wight and
the Isle of Man.
5. With countries whose name includes a
common noun such as republic, isles,
islands, states.
• He’s from the Czech Republic, but he’s living
in the United States.

6. The indefinite article: a/an
1. With singular countable nouns (mentioned for the first time
or when it doesn’t matter which one).
• I’d like a sandwich and a glass of water.
• What you need is a rest.
• A man has come to see you.
2. To talk about (singular) jobs and interests.
• She’s a lawyer.
• I’m a big football fan.

7. 3. With these numbers: 100; 1,000; 1,000,000.
• There were over a hundred people at the wedding.
• He made a million pounds in one year.
4. In Exclamations about singular countable nouns.
• What an amazing view!

8. ZERO ARTICLE (NO ARTICLE)
1. For uncountable, plural and abstract nouns used on their general
sense.
• We had awful weather on holiday.
• Happiness isn’t the only thing in life.
2. For continents, countries, mountains and lakes.
• They’re going to visit Africa.
• Have you been to Nepal?
• He’s climbed Mount Everest.
• Is Lake Titicaca in Peru?
3. For villages, towns and cities.
• Wellington is the capital of New Zealand.

9. 4. For streets and roads.
• There are some nice houses on School Road.
5. For some illnesses.
• I’ve got flu and Sue’s got indigestion.
WATCH
OUT! I’ve got a headache and I think I’m getting a
cold.

10. There are no articles in the following expressions:
• to/at/ from
school/university/college
• at home
• go home
• in/to class
• to/in/into/from church
• to/in/into/ out of prison/hospital/bed
• to/ay/from work
• for/at/to breakfast/lunch/dinner
• by
car/bus/bicycle/plane/train/tube/boat