GRAMMAR REFERENCE ARTICLES 3.

1 The definite article: the We use the definite article the: 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. the London Marathon, the Olympic Games to talk about specific things when the context makes it clear what we are referring to Your shoes are in the cupboard. Your dinner's in the fridge. to talk about previously mentioned things A man and a woman walked into the room. The man was wearing sunglasses. with superlatives He's the bravest person in the team. to talk about a generic class of things The bicycle was invented about 200 years ago. The tiger is in danger of becoming extinct. with oceans, seas, rivers and deserts He's sailed across the Atlantic and the Pacific. We went by canoe up the Orinoco. 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. with continents and countries whose name includes a common noun He's from the Czech Republic, but he's living in the United States. areas There is a range of mountains in the north. with hotels, cinemas, theatres They had afternoon tea at the Ritz. That new Polish film is on at the Odeon. with newspapers The Times, The Guardian, The Independent with national groups The English are a mixed race.

3.2 The indefinite article: a/an Use the indefinite article a/an: with (singular) jobs, etc. She's an architect. Is your sister a football fan, too? 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 orange juice. What you need is a rest. with these numbers: 100, 1,000, 1,000,000 There were over a hundred people at the wedding. He made a million dollars in one year. in exclamations about singular countable nouns What an amazing view! 3.3 The zero article 1 We use no article (the zero article) when talking about: uncountable, plural and abstract nouns used in their general sense We had awful weather on holiday. Happiness isn't the only thing in life. continents and countries They are going to visit Africa. Have you been to Nepal? mountains and lakes They are going to climb Mount Everest. Is Lake Titicaca in Peru? villages, towns and cities San Marco is a pleasant little fishing village. Saffron Walden is a small market town near Cambridge. Auckland is the biggest city in New Zealand. streets, roads, etc. In London, there are some good shops on Oxford Street. magazines Do you read Time magazine? 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.

2 Also use no article 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/at/from work for/at/to breakfast/lunch/dinner by car/bus/bicycle/plane/train/tube/boat on foot by accident/chance