ARTICLES

Use the definite article, THE:

v     With singular or plural nouns, when you expect the person who is listening to know which person or thing you are talking about:

-         Thank you for the flowers ( the ones that you brought me)

-         This is the CD I told you about.

v     With the names of oceans, rivers, groups of islands or mountains, deserts:

-         The Thames goes through Oxford and London.

-         Where are the Seychelles?

-         He was the first person to row across the Atlantic.

v     When talking about playing musical instruments:

-         I’ve been learning the piano for four years.

NOTE: the is not usually used when you are talking about modern music such as jazz, rock, etc…

v     He plays bass in a band.

Use the indefinite article a/ an:

v     When the other person does not know which person or thing you are talking about or when you are not referring to a particular person or thing:

-         He’s got a new bike. (I haven’t mentioned it before.)

-         Could you bring me a knife? (any knife will be okay.)

v     When talking about a type or class of people or things, such as when you mention a person’s job:

-         She’s an accountant.

-         He works as a waiter.

v     In prices, speeds etc…:

-         The top speed is 70 kilometers an hour.

-         I go to the gym three times a week.

v     Sometimes with hundred, thousand, million, etc..:

-         He won a thousand pounds on the lottery.

NOTE: a/ an is used only with singular countable nouns.

A is used before a consonant sound, an before a vowel sounds:

 - a shirt, a house

- an eagle, an hour an MP

Use no article

v     With uncountable nouns or with countable nouns in the plural, when you are talking in general:

-         I love flowers. (all flowers)

-         Honey is sweet. (all honey)

-         Are nurses well-paid here? (nurses in general)

v     With most names of countries, counties, states, streets, towns, or lakes:

-         I’m going to Turkey.

-         She’s from Yorkshire.

-         They live in Iowa.

-         Toronto is on lake Ontorio.

-         We bought a house in Harpes Road.

v     With the name of religions:

- Christianity has its roots in Judaism.

v     With a person’s title when the name is mentioned:

-         President Kennedy. (BUT the president of the United States)

-         Doctor Jones

v     With the words for meals, months, and days of the week:

-         Why don’t you come for dinner?

-         See you on Tuesday.

-         She was born in December.

NOTE: Articles are used when you are describing a particular meal, month or day:

-         They lunch they provided was excellent.

-         We set off on a sunny Tuesday in August.

v     When a school, prison, jail, or court is being referred to as an institution:

-         When do the children finish school?

-         He was sent to prison for two years.

NOTE: the is used when you are talking about a particular building:

-         I’ll meet you outside the school.

Use a possessive (not an article)

v     When talking about possessions or parts of the body:

-         She sprained her ankle and broken her arm.

-         I’ve left my phone on the bus.

-         Where did I leave my car?

-         He’s had his hair cut.