Today’s video will teach you when to use ‘a/an/ the or no article’ in English, in less than 5 minutes! Check the video and then the theory review below.
When to use ‘a/an’
Use ‘a/an‘ when speaking about a common noun.
I bought a bicycle.
She ate an ice cream.
They are having a team meeting.
We’re watching an advertisment.
Use ‘a/an’ to mention someone’s job.
Jordan is a construction worker.
Andrea works as a hairdresser.
Billy Holiday was an amazing singer.
My niece is a great doctor.
Use ‘a/an’ to refer to ONE thing.
I have an older sister and two younger brothers.
She carries a yellow jacket.
I would like a glass of water.
He sent a letter to his mom.
Use ‘a/an’ the first time you mention something in the conversation.
There’s a tennis club nearby. I go to the club every week.
I’m watching a movie. The movie is about aliens.
We are buying a new house. The house is close to my work.
He read an article yesterday. The article mentioned his former professor.
When to use ‘the‘
Use ‘the’ when it is obvious what/who are you talking about.
because it was mentioned before:
We bought a desk and two chairs for the office. The desk has arrived but we are still waiting for the chairs. (desk and chairs were previously mentioned)
She gave me a book but I had already bought the same book.
We are buying a new house. The house is close to my workplace.
They want to buy a phone. The phone must be the latest on the market.
because there is only one option:
She’s waiting for us at the train station. (There’s only one station.)
This is the film I wanted to watch. (This film and not other.)
We are going to meet at the front door of the University. (There is only one front door.)
She’s wearing the dress I lent her. (It can only be that dress.)
because we already know what we are talking about:
I’ll see you later at the café. (The café we always go to.)
I’m using the recipe you gave me. (So you know which one is it.)
I need to get to the office. (My office.)
He’s finally dating the teacher. (We gossiped about this topic before.)
Use ‘the’ when the object can be only THE ONE.
I’m so glad the sun came out today.
The Earth is our planet.
We enjoy looking at the stars at night.
The Pope made a very long speech in Spanish.
Use ‘the’ with adjectives that refer as groups of people.
The elderly often spend too much time alone.
The students went on a strike.
Every day the gap between the rich and the poor widens.
We need to ask the parents first for the annual football competition.
Use ‘the’ with some geographical places.
The road was built this year.
I’m travelling to the USA next year.
My husband prefers the coast, but I enjoy the countryside.
There was an accident at the highway.
Use ‘the’ to talk about the public transport.
I always like to sit by a window on the bus.
We’ll catch the next train.
What time does the plane leave?
The taxi arrived faster than the Uber.
Use ‘the’ with musical instruments.
He’s learning to play the saxophone.
I learned to play the flute in high school.
Do you play the piano?
He plays the drums like a rockstar.
When to use ‘no article’
Sports and games don’t need an article.
Let’s play baseball this weekend.
He watches football every weekend.
We always play chess at night.
My family hates playing Monopoly together.
Food doesn’t need an article.
I made chicken for lunch today.
Chocolate is my favorite food.
What time is dinner?
We’re having lunch in 5 minutes.
DON’T use an article for plural or uncountable nouns.
Pollution is ruining our seas.
Money can’t buy happiness.
Most people like either cats or dogs, but not both of them.
Politicians should focus more on climate change.
Check our video about countable and uncountable nouns!aquí
DON’T use an article with some determined places or institutions.
I have to go to work today.
We visited Mount Fuji in our trip to Japan.
Do you go to University?
She always wanted to live in Europe.
He needs to be in court today at 3 PM sharp.
The bank in on 5th Avenue.
NOTICE THAT!
We use ‘the’ if we name specific places or institutions:
Do you go to University? Yes, I go to the University of Chicago.
She brought the souvenir from the North Pole.
He needs to be in court today at 3 PM sharp. Is he going to the Juvenile Court?
My dream is to travel to the Seychelles.
DON’T use an article with most of the countries.
We visit Italy every summer.
Spain is wonderful for travelling with children.
Mexico and Guatemala have a lot in common.
China has the most beautiful landscapes.
NOTICE THAT!
Use ‘the’ for UK, US and other countries such as Netherlands, Czech Republic and Philippines.
She’s from The UK and I’m from The US.
We flew to The Netherlands together.
I have some good friends in The Czech Republic
In our honeymoon, we’ll sail around The Philippines.
