5A (Articles)

**ARTICLES**

Here are some basic rules.

1) A/an (indefinite articles)

Use a/an to refer to a singular countable noun which is indefinite - either we don´t know which one, or it doesn't matter which one.

E.g.: They live in a cozy apartment.
I'm watching a good movie.

Use a/an to describe what sth or sb is:

E.g.: He's a dentist.
She's an actress.
That's an instrument for opening letters.

2) The (definite article)

Use "the" before a singular or plural noun, when both the speaker and the listener know about what is being referred to.

E.g.: The book I'm reading is about fairy tales.
The woman whom I saw is old.

We also use "the" with certain public places and before a noun if it's the onlly one.

E.g.: The Earth.
The Atlantic Ocean.
I have never gone to the theater.
I need to go to the bank.

With some geographical areas, "the" is used:

seas - the Mediterranean
rivers - the Mississippi
mountain groups - the Alps
deserts - the Sahara

3) Zero Article

Use no article with plural and uncountable nouns when talking about things in general.
Compare:

a) Money is good. (general)
Do not forget to put the money in your wallet. (specific)

b) Love is a beautiful feeling.
The love I had for you is over.

We have no article with streets, roads and squares:

E.g.: Oxford Street
Calixta Road
Leicester Square

Other nouns which take no article are:

lakes - Lake Superior
countries - Spain, China, Brazil
continents - Asia, Europe

**ATTENTION: The United States.

Some types of noun take no article when referred to generally:

games - football, soccer, chess
academic subjects - medicine, chemistry, English
abstract nouns - freedom, friendship
meals - breakfast, lunch, dinner

See you :)