Articles: The Exceptions

By Matthew, 9 February 2010 - 5:18pm
5
 
 
Grammar name (English): 
Articles

Articles (a/the) and the special cases—exceptions to the rules when using articles.

Odd one out: Photo: Cynergist via FlickrOdd one out: Photo: Cynergist via FlickrThere are many exceptions and special cases with articles. That is one of the reasons that they are so hard. You have a couple of choices about how to learn these:

  1. Memorise all the rules and try to follow them;
  2. Memorise the most common cases and then guess the rest;
  3. Understand articles and why we use them—study our article on articles carefully and try to use them.

The best way uses something of all three ways. Study articles a little, then work on the common examples. Use the common cases a lot in your writing and the examples you remember. Finally, let experience help you get a feeling for the rare and difficult cases. If, after all that, you are still not perfect, then don't worry about it!

Zero Articles—The Common Cases

When we talk about some things, we need no article. We will give you the common cases first. Learn them, and the example. Try to make up your own example to help you remember that case.

Case Example Note
on TV I saw my friend on TV! If you say "on the TV", that means physically on the TV. For example: There is a photo of my wife on the TV.
on air The show is on air for half an hour. "On air" means "being broadcast".
at school I'll see you at school tomorrow.  
in class Please be quiet in class. This means during the lesson, but "in the classroom" means the place.
at work I left my coat at work. But we say, "at the office".
in church I enjoy singing in church on Sunday.  
at home Call me at home tomorrow.  
in bed I'm sick—I think I will stay in bed.  
in prison/jail He spend 7 years in prison/jail.  
on holiday/vacation She is on holiday/vacation until Monday.  
on business I went to Germany on business.  
on foot It's about ten minutes from the station on foot.  
by air/plane It is faster to go by plane/air.  
by rail/train It is cheaper by rail/train.  
by road/car/taxi/bus Just go by road/car/taxi/bus.  
by bicycle It takes 20 minutes by bicycle.  

You also should not use an article in these cases:

Case Example BUT! Note
Names of countries & languages I'm going to the Germany tomorrow.
He lives in the Sweden.
She speaks the Chinese.
How long did it take you to learn the French? 		We'll visit the United States.
She is taking a tour of the United Kingdom.
He is the leader of the People's Republic of China.
I have been studying the Chinese language. 		In the names of some countries, there are some general words
like "state", "kingdom" and "republic" (shown in red).
These countries are the special example of a state, or republic, or kingdom.
So, we use "the". The United Kingdom is the kindom that is united.
Names of people I saw the Harry on TV.
This is my friend, the Lou.

1) I saw the Brad Pitt today!
2) I will stay with the Tanakas in Japan.
3) "Do you know Tom?" "I know a Tom."

1) To make it clear that you are talking about a famous person,
sometimes we use "the" before their name.
2) We also use "the" when we talk about a family—from "the Tanaka family".
3) You can use "a" in front of a person's name,
if you are not sure which person we are talking about.

Meals I will have a lunch
Let's have the dinner. 		He is speaking at the lunch tomorrow. If the meal is a special event, use "the".
Towns, cities, streets, stations,
airports, mountains,  lakes and islands 		He moved to the London.
I caught the train at the King's Cross station.
I live near the Lake Superior.
From here you can sometimes see the Mount Fuji.
It's on the 42nd Street. 		   
Uncountable nouns Don't forget to buy the sugar!    
General cases (of abstract nouns) The Knowledge is the power.
The Children are our future.
The Education is the key to the success.		 The knowledge I gained was invaluable.
Please look after the children.
The education I had was excellent. 		Be careful to be clear of the difference between the general and specific. Both are possible.
Prepositional phrases I am in the charge.
Learn this list by the heart.
All's fair in the love and the war. 		   
When other determiners are used I put it in the my car.
This the key is to my house. 		   
Notes: 

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