basic rules: a / an / the, no article

1 My neighbour has just bought a dog.

The dog is an Alsatian.
He got into the car and drove to the
Town Hall.
2 Men are better at parking than women.
I don't like sport or classical music.
I stayed at home last weekend.
1 Use a an when you !ention so!ebody
so!ething "or the "irst ti!e or say who
what so!ebody so!ething is.
Use the when it's clear who what
so!ebody so!ething is #e.g. it has been
!entioned be"ore or it's uni$ue%.
& 'on't use an article to speak in general
with plural and uncountable nouns( or in
phrases like at home /work, go home to
bed, next last (week), etc.
NB: rule 2: (non-use of the definite article when generalizing) is an area where students often mae mistaes!
"nstitutions
(church, hospital, school, etc.%
My "ather's in hospital. They are building a new hospital in !y town.
) *ith prison, church, school, hospital, and university, etc. don't use an article when you
are thinking about the institution and the nor!al purpose it is used it "or. I" you are
just thinking about the building( use a or the.
The use and non+use o" the with church, hospital, and school can be di""icult but it has a clear rule.
e.g.
I'm studying at university (= I a! a student there% ,-T ...at the university. .
The university is in the centre o town. (= we are talking about the buildings%.
I go to church every !unday. The murderer is in prison (= no de"inite article%
The shop is next to the church on "aul !treet.(Talking about the building)
-ther words which are used like this are college, mos#ue /synagogue #and other places o" worship%.
#eographical Names
1 Tunisia is in ,orth A"rica.
& .el"ridges( one o" /ondon's biggest depart!ent stores( is in -0"ord .treet.
1 /ake 2ictoria and Mount 3ili!anjaro are both in A"rica.
4 The 5iver 'anube "lows into the 6lack .ea.
7 The ,ational 8allery and the 6ritish Museu! are /ondon tourist attractions.
) *e don't nor!ally use the with9
1 !ost countries( continents( regions ending with the na!e o" a country continent(
e.g. ,orth A!erica( .outh :ast Asia( islands( states( provinces( towns( and cities
#e0ceptions9 the U.A( the U3 United 3ingdo!( the ,etherlands( the ;<ech 5epublic%.
& roads( streets( parks( shops( and restaurants #e0ceptions9 !otorways and nu!bered
roads( the M=( the A&7%.
1 individual !ountains and lakes.
) *e nor!ally use the with9
4 !ountain ranges( rivers( seas( canals( deserts( and island groups.
7 the na!es o" theatres( cine!as( hotels( galleries( and !useu!s.