A/an, the, no article – the use of articles in English

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  • A/an, the, no article – Grammar chart

    Grammar chart explaining the use of English articles 'a/an', 'the', and when to use no article, with examples for each scenario.

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    Use a/an

    First mention

    We use a/an when we mention something for the first time.

    • I saw an old woman with a dog in the park.

    Jobs and descriptions

    We use a/an to talk about people’s jobs or to say what kind of person or thing something/somebody is.

    • Paula is a teacher.
    • Paris is an interesting city.
    • When I was a teenager, I enjoyed sleeping.

    Note that you cannot use singular countable nouns alone (without a, the, my, etc.)

    • I don’t have driving license. blank
    • I don’t have a driving license. blank
    • This hotel doesn’t have spa. blank
    • This hotel doesn’t have a spa. blank

    Use the

    Second mention

    We use the when we mention something for the second time.

    • A man and a woman sat in front of me. The man was British, but I think the woman wasn’t.

    Specific things

    We use the to talk about specific things or people –when it’s clear which things or people we are talking about.

    • ‘Where are the kids?’ ‘They’re in the garden.’ (=We know which kids and which garden.)
    • Can you open the door? (=We know which door.)

    There is only one

    We use the when there’s only one of something.

    • This company is very profitable. The manager must be really good.
    • I’d like to live in this country, but not in the capital.
    • The moon looks beautiful today.

    Common places in town

    With places in a town where we commonly go (the park, the cinema, the doctor, etc.)

    • I’m going to the bank.
    • I found Peter at the station.
    • I’m at the library.

    Superlatives

    We use the before superlative adjectives.

    • This is the best restaurant in town.

    Musical instruments

    We use the before names of musical instruments.

    • Margaret plays the guitar and I play the flute. 

    Use no article

    General meaning

    We do not use an article before plural or uncountable nouns to talk about something in general.

    • I don’t drink milk.
    • Women drive more cautiously than men.

    Compare:

    • I love music. (=Music in general.)
    • I loved the music at the party. (=Specific music.)
    • Children are often difficult. (=Children in general.)
    • They are a nice family. The children are very funny. (=The children in that family.)

    Meals

    We do not use an article before the names of meals: breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

    • Dinner is served at 8.
    • I always have breakfast with my children.

    Years, months and days

    We do not use an article before names of years, months and days of the week.

    • Friday is my favourite day of the week.
    • I think 2020 will be an excellent year.

    TV

    We do not use an article with TV (when used as a broadcasting service, NOT as an appliance)

    • I saw it on TV.
    • I don’t watch TV.

    But: Turn off the TV. I’ve bought a new TV.

    Names of languages and school subjects

    We do not use an article before the names of languages and school subjects.

    • He doesn’t speak English.
    • I study biology. 

    Next, last

    We do not use an article before next and last + time expression (when they mean before or after now).

    • The meeting is next Thursday.
    • I saw him last week.

    Compare:

    • Last year we spent one week in London (Last year= the year before now).
    • We really loved London. The last day we were really sad. (The last day= the last day of that trip. NOT the day before now)

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