No article is used for general, open-ended reference to any or all members of a class.
Articles are not used with:
1) plural countable nouns: They packed goods in bags. These can be modified by adjectives or other phrases: people throughout the country, local museums, world nations.
2) uncountable nouns (always singular):
a) abstract: Knowledge is power.
b) colours: Yellow seems to be very warm.
c) food and drink: I like cheese. Lemonade has too much sugar in it.
d) substances / materials: The house is made of stone. Water boils at 100°C.
e) activities: Reading is a real pleasure.
f) sports/ games: Millions of fans all over the world enjoy watching hockey.
g) politics/philosophy: Feudalism is a political and economic system of Medieval Europe. Positivism claims that sciences are the only source of true knowledge.
h) languages: English, German, Chinese; but: the English language.
i) academic subjects and related topics: He is good at literature. But: We study the literature of the 20th century; with adjectival combinations: Renaissance Art, Medieval Theatre, Ancient philosophy.
3) names of days, months, seasons and holidays: She'll come on Wednesday. I'm going on business in spring. June is the loveliest summer month. Easter is my favourite holiday. Butin the expressions in (the) summer/ autumn/ winter/ spring the can be used.
4) names of meals: breakfast, lunch, tea, dinner, supper. They sat down to tea. Breakfast begins at 8 o'clock. But: The lunch we ate in that bar was modest (the meal is specified). She gave us a very nice dinner. (the meal is classified)
5) names of places at home, in bed, at work, in hospital, at college, in prison, in church when we refer to their "primary purpose", that is the activity associated with them: She is taken to hospital. (to be treated) He was sent to prison (to serve the term of punishment).
NOTE: to be in the bed = an article of furniture is meant;
to go to the prison = the building is meant;
to leave the college = to leave the building;
The workmen went to the church to repair the roof (They didn't go to a religious service.)
6) transport: by air, by car, by plane, by train, by tube, on foot, etc.: Travelling by air is very convenient.
7) names of illnesses: bronchitis, pneumonia, quinsy, malaria, etc.But: the can be used with some common infectious diseases: (the) flu, (the) measles, (the) mumps.
8) "pairs" joined by and: day and night, father and son, husband and wife, light and dark, young and old, son and moon:She couldn't stop thinking about it day and night.
9) an uncountable noun or a plural countable after what and such: What lovely weather! What chatter-boxes you are! They were such idlers! Such love can only be seen in films.
10) the words television or TV when we refer to the medium itself or programmes: Sally played small parts on television. But: Will you turn down the TV? (the TV set is referred to).
11) the words radio, cinema, movies, opera, ballet, theatre when we refer to them in very general terms as art forms or as professions: Television is one of the greatest inventions of the post-Second World War time. Amateur theatre was actually the first step in his artistic career
NOTE: When we are going to enjoy a form of entertainment we use the definite article: Why not go to the movies for a change? Last Sunday I went to the opera with my son and we had an enjoyable night.
There are many instances in everyday life when both articles are deliberately omitted to save space, time and money. This is usually done in newspaper headlines, small advertisements, instructions, shopping lists, labels, some dictionary definitions and notices: Bomb Explosion Accident ( newspaper headline); " Compact residence in select suburb; 3 bed. (bedrooms), 2 recept. (reception rooms), kitchen and bathroom, garage space, nice garden" ( advertisement ); Cut along dotted line ( instruction ).
E x e r c i s e s
1.Fill each gap with one suitable collective noun from the table. Mind the articles.
a group, a gang, a crowd, a shoal, a swarm, a set, a pack, a flock, a bunch
1) There are swarms of mosquitoes in the forests of Scandinavia in the summer.
2) As we looked over the side of the boat, we saw ….. of brightly coloured fish swimming just below the surface.
3) There was ….. of youths standing on the corner; they didn't look at all friendly.
4) You'll see ….. of cards on the bookshelf. Will you fetch them for me, please?
5) The government has appointed ….. of biologists to look into the problem.
6) There is ….. of people waiting outside.
7) ….. of sheep had escaped from a field.
8) She gave me ….. of six sherry glasses.
9) She gave me ….. of beautiful roses.
2. Complete each sentence with one suitable word from the list. Use each word once only.
accommodation, bread, cookery, lightning, spelling, advice, cash, information, luggage, parking
1) I can't cut this loaf. Do you have a proper bread knife?
2) I'm afraid that "neice" is ….. mistake.
3) There's usually ….. space opposite the church.
4) We need..... box to keep the money in.
5) The tourist board have built ….. centre near the castle.
6) We decided to put ….. conductor on the roof.
7) Marjorie used to write ….. column in a magazine.
8) These suitcases are heavy. We must find ….. trolley.
9) I must rush. I'm going to ….. lesson.
10) Julie found her flat through ….. agency.
3. Choose one word from the words below to complete each sentence. Mind the article if the word is countable or make it plural as appropriate.
chicken, dislike, improvement, language, life, success, education
1) Mary used to keep chickens in her garden until they started to get out.
2) A score of 40% may not be very good but it's certainly ….. on her last mark.
3) After so many previous ….. it was inevitable that one of his films would be unpopular.
4) ….. is too short to worry about keeping your house spotlessly clean.
5) I've had ….. of green vegetables ever since I was a child.
6) Our students study both ….. and literature in their English degree.
7) I had to go through very strict and traditional …...
4. Translate form Russian into English.
1) Они были здесь час назад.
2) Большое количество молодых людей поступают в высшие учебные заведения.
3) Не спеши! У нас много времени!
4) Раз в год мы стараемся навестить наших родителей.
5) Врач велел ему есть все без соли и пить больше воды.
6) Никто не любит плохую погоду.
7) Жизнь невозможна без воды и воздуха.
8) Он прожил долгую жизнь.
9) У него глубокие знания по истории. Знания можно приобрести упорным трудом.
10) Передайте соль, пожалуйста!
11) Не сидите у окна, вы простудитесь.
12) Он указал на маленькое окно на пятом этаже.
13) Погода была прекрасная.
14) Я не могу плавать в такой холодной воде.
5. Complete the sentences. Put in a/an, or some
1) I really ought to do some housework.
2) The people who camped in the field have left ….. rubbish.
3) I've been working on the business plan. I've made ….. progress.
4) The visitors are here for two nights. They are booking for ….. accommodation.
5) That shop has ….. nice sofa.
6) You'll have to pay extra for the taxi because you've got ….. luggage.
7) The flat is quite empty. I need ….. furniture.
8) I can't possibly fit this guitar into ….. suitcase.
9) You need ….. luck to win at this game.
6. Insert a/ an if necessary
1) You'll get..... shock if you touch..... live wire with that screwdriver. Why don't you get..... screwdriver with..... insulated handle?
2) It costs fifty-five and..... half pence and I've only got..... fifty pence piece. – You can pay by..... cheque here. But can I write..... cheque for..... fifty-five and..... half pence? –
3)..... Mr Smith is..... old customer and..... honest man. – Why do you say that? Has he been accused of..... dishonesty?
4) I'm not..... wage-earner; I'm..... self-employed man. I have..... business of my own. – Then you're not..... worker; you're..... capitalist!
5) When he was charged with..... murder he said he had..... alibi.
6) –..... friend of mine is expecting..... baby. If it's..... girl she's going to be called Etheldreda. – What..... name to give..... girl!
7) I have..... hour and..... half for lunch. – I only have..... half..... hour – barely..... time for..... smoke and..... cup of coffee.
8) I wouldn't climb..... mountain for $1,000! I have..... horror of..... heights.
9)..... few people know (hardly anyone know) that there is..... secret passage from this house to..... old smugglers' cave in the cliffs.
10) I'm having..... few friends in to..... coffee tomorrow evening. Would you like to come? – I'd love to, but I'm afraid I'm going to..... concert.
11) He broke his leg in..... skiing accident. It's still in..... plaster.
12) I want..... assistant with..... knowledge of French and..... experience of..... office routine.
