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Articles: 'a', 'the', 'nothing' (the zero article) - BACK TO STUDY ENGLISH

Rules of Formation

There are many rules, which influence the choice of a native speaker when using articles in English.  Here are some of the most important ones.

Rule 1

We use a before singular nouns when we are presenting new information to a listener:

    There is a letter for you.           

     We have a new car.

In both the above examples, the noun (letter, car) is new for the listener, probably not for the speaker.

Rule 2

We use the before singular nouns when we are talking about something familiar to both the speaker and the listener:

    Who was the letter from?   My brother.

   What make is the car?   It's a Skoda.

Rule 3

The is also used in a similar way before plural nouns.  A is not used before plural nouns.  We use some instead:

    There is a letter for you.    -becomes-     There are some letters for you. 

    Who was the letter from?  -becomes-     Who were the letters from?

Rule 4

A is used to mean any or any one when it doesn't matter which one:

    Could you pass me a spoon, please?

Rule 5

The is used when it is clear to the speaker and listener what you are talking about. 

    I put your shirt on the bed.

    I went for a swim in the sea this morning.

Rule 6

The is also used when there is only one:

    Have you got the time, please?

    The sun's hot today, isn't it?

Rule 7

The is also used regularly before certain geographical features, including the names of seas, oceans, rivers, mountain ranges, groups of islands:

    the Alps     the river Thames     the Canary Islands

Rule 8

The is very common with superlatives, because, in the context, there is only one.

    Here's the address.  It's the best garage I know.

    Throw away the oldest copy of the catalogue, and keep the newest one.

Rule 9

No article is used before the names of countries, cities, streets, continents, lakes, mountains, villages, etc:

     He lives in Toronto, a large city in Canada, on the shores of lake Ontario.

Rule 10

No article is also common before uncountable, plural and often abstract nouns when we are talking about things in general:

     Have we got any milk?

     Oranges are nicer than apples.

     Democracy is a far more widespread system of government than communism.

Please Note:  This material was created and is owned by Jason Anderson (c) 2003. 

Exercise 1

Which article fits best?    

In each gap, write one of the 3 options:

      a   an   the  

or leave the gap blank (zero article)

1. I’ve always been very interested in ______ Middle East.

2. They say it’s ______ most famous cigarette in ______ world.

3. “What do you study?” “Oh, let’s just say I’m _____ student of _____ life!”

4. It’s _____ first time I’ve been to _____ USA.

5. We were glad when we reached _____ top of _____ mountain.

6. John’s been _____ teacher for _____ very long time.

7. ______ bungee jumping can be quite _____ dangerous activity.

8. I’m off to _____ supermarket. Have you got _____ list of _____ things you want?

9. That’s _____ unusual colour for _____ jeans!

10. He’s _____ tallest person in _____ class.

11. “_____ apple _____ day keeps _____ doctor away”. (Famous proverb)

12. I didn’t really like ____ end of _____ film.

13. “Once upon ____ time, there was _____ strange old woman who lived in _____ old house in Edinburgh ...”

14. The Cayman Islands are _____ ideal place for _____ relaxing holiday.

15. It’s _____ very difficult problem but they might be able to solve it in _____ future.

Answers

Please Note:  This exercise was created and is owned by J. Morley (c) 2003. 

Answers

Exercise 1

1. I’ve always been very interested in the Middle East.

2. They say it’s the most famous cigarette in the world.

3. “What do you study?” “Oh, let’s just say I’m a student of life!”

4. It’s the first time I’ve been to the USA.

5. We were glad when we reached the top of the mountain.

6. John’s been a teacher for a very long time.

7. Bungee jumping can be quite a dangerous activity.

8. I’m off to the supermarket. Have you got a list of the things you want?

9. That’s an unusual colour for jeans!

10. He’s the tallest person in the class.

11. “An apple a day keeps the doctor away”. (Famous proverb)

12. I didn’t really like the end of the film.

13. “Once upon a time, there was a strange old woman who lived in an old house in Edinburgh ...”

14. The Cayman Islands are an ideal place for a relaxing holiday.

15. It’s a very difficult problem but they might be able to solve it in the future.

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