Every language has rules and there are exceptions. The former are subject to explanation and logic, the latter to cramming. If you study english language, and Russian is your native language, you are incredibly lucky! You will have to cram less than you would if you mastered Russian.

Getting acquainted with such topics in English as modal verbs or articles, you may not agree with me: there are so many rules that your head is spinning. And yet, I will allow myself to insist on my own. The variety of use cases can be reduced to a few basic points, and in all other cases you need to be able to find the logic of the first. And, of course, the rest will have to be remembered. This article will focus on the most basic rules for using articles and situations where the article is not required at all.

As you know, in English language There are 2 types of articles: uncertain (a/an) - for countable entities. in the singular, which is omitted in the plural, and definite(the).

The logic of all the rules for the use of articles comes down to a few basic points.

Indefinite article

indefinite article a/an is an evolved Old English numeral "one". This fact determines 2 basic rules for the use of this article.

• because is the former numeral a/an can be used only with countable nouns (which we can count):

  a car, a cup, a lamp , a bottle, an apple

  Have a drink. There is a bottle of wine in the fridge.

  because this is the numeral "1", we can use a/anonly with countable singular nouns In plural the article disappears:

  _ car s, _ cup s, _ lamp s, _ bottle s

  Have a drink. There are (several) _ bottle s of wine in the fridge.

indefinite article highlights one item out of many like it, no different from it. You have little information about him.

I had a sandwich for breakfast.

There is a book on the table.

Definite article

Like indefinite, it came from Old English, which had demonstrative pronoun that. And if you point to something, then your interlocutor will immediately understand what kind of subject it is, and any uncertainty disappears. Definite the article is called definite because it is clear from the situation what person / object / event you are talking about

The sandwich that I ate for breakfast(identifies which particular sandwich was bad) was obviously bad. I feel sick now.

The book on the table(book on the table) is the Adventures of Tom Sawyer.

And now about situations when the article is not needed at all

The article is not put if

If you have uncountable noun and you do general statement

_ Love is a wonderful feeling.

_ Coffee is good for your health when consumed in moderation.

I often listen to _ music.

The word is part of an expression that is an exception and must be remembered

What did you have for breakfast?

It's time to go to bed now.

However ATTENTION! There are a number of expressions that will be used either without an article or with a definite article, depending on the situation and the meaning that you put in. These are expressions containing words prison, hospital, school, university, church and some others.

If we get into one of these institutions and use them, so to speak, for their intended purpose, that is, serving time (prison), undergoing treatment (hospital), receiving general education (school) or studying a specific specialization (university), reading prayers and confessing (church), then in all expressions with these words there will be no article. In all other cases, an article is needed. Compare:

Table. The use of the article with the names of institutions in English

Now for a little practice. Here are a number of combinations with articles. It is necessary to explain the use of this or that article.

Why do we say:

1. Can you turn off the light, please? - Because it is clear that the light must be turned off in the room where the speaker is
2. I took a taxi to the station. Because not just to any station, but a station in this city, and you go to a particular bus or railway station
3. Do you like _ Chinese food? Chinese food/cuisine - General term consisting of an uncountable noun and an adjective
4. I'd like to talk to the manager please. - Because the store has one general manager to whom you can contact with questions, complaints, etc.
5. The sun is a star. Because there are many different stars, and the sun is one of them.
6. I often go to the cinema/theatre. - Probably, it happened historically: earlier in the cities, if there were cinemas or theaters, then, so to speak, in a single copy. Therefore, when you say that you are going to the cinema, there were no questions about which one.
7. I must go to the bank. - You apply to the bank in which you have an account, and not to any.
8. I listen to _ classical music from time to time. - Classical music is a general concept consisting of an uncountable noun and an adjective
9. Is there a bank near here? - This is a situation in which you do not care which bank branch to contact. For example, when you are abroad and you need to withdraw money from the card.
10. I work in the city ​​centre. - There is only one center in the city.
11. Can you tell the time? - You want to know the current time
12. _ Doctors are paid more than _ teachers. - Doctors in general. You can also say: A doctor is paid more than a teacher.
13. Who is the best player in your team? There is only one best player. When you talk about the very best(superlative degree) - the very best, the biggest, the most beautiful, the most interesting etc. always use the.

I repeat once again that you can read about stable combinations with one article or another in any grammar textbook, all other cases are amenable to the logic outlined above. Language, after all, is a pretty logical thing, and sometimes doing a grammar test is akin to solving mathematical equations or logic puzzles. Therefore, turn on the logic, remember the exceptions, and the articles will submit to you!

Articles cause a lot of difficulties, and not only because there is no analogue in Russian and nothing to compare with. But because despite its certain meaning, there are a lot of cases of use and exceptions to them. So, what is the point of the definite article the?

The definite article also defines a noun, indicating its specificity. Its roots grow from the demonstrative pronoun that, which, like the article the, points to something specific, precise, definite. Form one, pronunciation two.

Small features of the use of the article the

As with the indefinite, it all depends on the subsequent noun. So, if there is a consonant at the beginning of a word, then the is pronounced like [ðƏ], and if it is a vowel or mute h, then -[ði]. Very often, the definite article in English is replaced by possessive pronouns, if it is important to indicate to whom this or that object, person, etc. belongs. In some cases, it is replaced by its progenitors - demonstrative pronouns - this, that, these, those. Sometimes, even if the sentence is written the, then in Russian it sounds like “this, that, those”.

The day was very interesting and full of emotions. — The day was very interesting and full of emotions.

My day was very interesting and full of emotions. — My day was very interesting and full of emotions.

When is the article the used?

Almost any noun in English must be followed. The use of the article the has a number of cases that need to be remembered.

1. If the subject one of a kind (the earth, the sky, the sun , the Taj Mahal) and there are no more analogues, then we put the. The same is true with the subject the only one in the environment . For example, sitting in a room, you ask to close the door, the one that is there.

Look at the moon! It is shining brightly. - Look at the moon. She shines bright.

Close the door, please. - Close the door, please.

2. With nouns, in the function of circumstance (where something is located: in a garden, in a city, meaning a specific garden or city), the definite article is also used. By using the article the, you specify.

It was very dark in the room. — The room was very dark.

They are working in the field. — They work in the garden.

3. With nouns, denoting a certain amount, in a certain place.

The snow is dirty. - The snow is dirty (just in some place, because in general it is clean, white)

Give me the water, please. - Give me some water, please. (Not all water, but a certain amount, for example, to drink)

4. If the offer contains "Appendix", giving additional information about the person, and if the popularity of this character is emphasized, then we put the.

Pushkin, the famous Russian poet, was killed. Pushkin, the famous Russian poet, was killed.

5. After the words one of, some of, many of, each of, most of, both, all.

All the newspapers were sold out. All newspapers were sold out.

Show me one of the dresses. Show me one of the dresses.

Each of the women have children. Every woman has children.

6. Before superlative adjectives, before words the same, the following, the next (meaning next in order), the last (last) , before ordinal numbers.

It is the most interesting article I have ever read. — This is the most interesting article I have ever read.

The last week was very tiring. “The last week has been very exhausting.

She took the next ticket. She took the next ticket.

7. Before substantiated adjectives, participles, before the word people in the meaning of the people.

The rich have a happy life. The rich have a happy life.

The Soviet people won the war. The Soviet people won the war.

8. Before words denoting social classes of people.

The workers have a small salary. The workers have low wages.

9. Usually, the article is not used before proper names. But there are exceptions that we will consider. For example, before names denoting the whole family as a whole.

The Makarny have a big house. — The Macarnis (the Macarnis) have a big house.

10. Before titles some countries, where there are the words republic, kingdom, states, union, federation, before the names that are in the plural: the Netherlands, The Philippines, the Baltic States.

The Czech Republic is situated in the center of Europe. — The Czech Republic is located in the center of Europe.

She has just come from the United States of America. She has just arrived from the United States of America.

11. Before titles rivers, seas, oceans, straits, canals, currents, lakes (if the composition does not contain the word lake).

The Pacific Ocean is the greatest ocean in the world. — The Pacific Ocean is the largest ocean in the world.

The Baikal is in Siberia. — Baikal in Siberia. (But: Lake Baikal)

12. Before titles deserts, mountain ranges, island groups (in the only - without).

We are going to climb the Alps. We are going to climb the Alps.

When I was traveling around the world I was in the Sahara. — when I traveled the world, I was in the Sahara.

13. Before the names of the four cardinal points: the south, the north, the east, the west, poles, regions, ships.

He has lived in the west since 1967. - He has lived in the west since 1967.

My parents went on board the Star. My parents came on the steamer Star.

14. Before titles museums, cinemas, clubs, galleries, restaurants, monuments, names of English (American) newspapers (with the exception of "Today"), hotels.

I try to read the Morning Star every day. I try to read Morning Star every day.

I would like to put up in the National. — I would like to stay at the National Hotel.

Of course, remembering right away when the article the is put is quite difficult. It's all a matter of practice. But remember one truth: before common nouns, if something specific is indicated, you understand what subject is being discussed, then feel free to put the. And the use of proper names still have to learn.

1. When it is clear from the previous context or from the situation which object, phenomenon, etc. is being discussed, or when a specific object, etc., known in the situation to the speaker and listener, is meant, or when the given noun has already been at least earlier mentioned once in this context.

   Close the door, please. Close the door, please.
   (specific, this door, the door in the room in which the speaker is located or which he has in mind situationally).
   Ann is in the garden. Anna (is) in the garden (which is near the house, in the known to us, etc.).
   Please pass me the wine. Please pass me the wine (the one on the table).
   A car struck a tree. You can see the mark on the car and the tree. The car hit a tree, (some car ran into some tree). Traces of what happened are visible on (this) car and on (that) tree.

2. Before a countable noun in the singular, which means an animate or inanimate object as a representative of the entire class, category or group, that is, an object that expresses the general in a single concept.

   The Hon is the king of beasts. The lion is the king of beasts (all lions).
   The young man must be polite. The young person must be polite (a young person representing the younger generation).

3. Before nouns that are singular:

   the Earth - Earth, the Sun - Sun, the sky - sky.

4. Before nouns that have a definition expressed by a definitive restrictive phrase, sometimes with the preposition of.

   The water in the river was very cold. The water in the river (the water in this river) was very cold.
   The girl in blue stood by the window. The girl in blue (the girl in blue, not red or white) was standing by the window.
   The English teacher of our group was ill. The English teacher of our group was sick.

5. Usually before nouns:
   • which are defined by adjectives in the superlative degree (meaning "most").

     He is the best student in our group. He is the best student in our group.

   • which are used with definitions expressed by the words same - the same, very - the same, only - the only one, next - the next, last - the last.

     Read the same text. Read the same (same) text.
     You are the very man I am looking for. You are (exactly) the (most) person I am looking for.
     The next day we went to Moscow. The next day we went to Moscow.

6. Before nouns denoting the names of rivers, seas, oceans, mountain ranges, ships, newspapers, some states, cities, as well as before proper names in the meaning of a whole family:

   the Volga - Volga, the Black Sea - the Black Sea, the Pacific Ocean - the Pacific Ocean, the Alps - Alps, the "Kurchatov" - "Kurchatov" (name of the ship), the "Pravda" - "Pravda" (newspaper), the Ukraine - Ukraine, the Smirnovs - Smirnovs (the whole Smirnov family or the husband and wife of the Smirnovs).

7. Before the names of musical instruments, when this type of instrument is meant in general, and not a unit, one of them.

   She learns to play the flute. She is learning to play the flute.

Hello my wonderful readers!

You can probably guess what is the most frequently used word in English speech, right? Of course it is the article "the". And today we will analyze where its use in English is appropriate and where it is not. We will study the rules for its use, look at numerous examples, and analyze a table with stable expressions that you can always have at hand. And then you can go to and to consolidate everything you learned here.

Go ahead, friends!

A little bit of grammar

If the article “a” (about it in detail!) Is used only with nouns that can be counted, then “the” is used with all nouns: and in singular and plural; both countable and non-countable items .

By the way, the pronunciation of the article also changes depending on which letter the next word begins with. If the word begins with a consonant, then the article is pronounced like [ðə], for example the banana - banana. But if the subject begins with a vowel, then it is pronounced like [ði], for example, the apple - Apple.

When to use

• If in speech or in writing already mentioned subject, then in the future you can put this article with it.

I received an e-mail from my friends. The letter told me that they would visit me on the weekend.- I received a letter from my friends. The letter said that they would visit me over the weekend.

• With unique items that are one and only of their kind, we also use the - the sun, the moon, the Earth.

The moon today is extremely beautiful. The moon is incredibly beautiful today.

• The article has a special relationship with geographical names. With titles rivers, deserts, oceans, island groups and mountain ranges we can confidently use the article, but we must not forget about exceptions. I am very detailed about them.

The Atlantic Ocean is the most beautiful ocean on the planet.- The Atlantic Ocean is the most beautiful ocean on the planet.

The Comoro Islands attract lots of tourists every year.- Comoros attracts many tourists every year.

• With titles hotels, cinemas, ships, museums, galleries and newspapers we most often also use the definite article.

The Hilton hotel is about to open in our city.- In our city, the Hilton hotel is about to open.

The Louvre is the most attended museum in Europe.- The Louvre is the most visited museum in Europe.

• With adjectives in the highest degree of comparisons: the most, the best, the worst.

The most beautiful place I've ever been is Japan in spring.- The most beautiful place I have ever seen is Japan in the spring.

The best books I've ever read were about Harry Potter.- The best books I've read are Harry Potter.

• With musical tools and titles dancing.

The violin is my most beloved musical instrument.- The violin is my favorite musical instrument.

The contemporary has become very popular among dancers some years ago.- Contempo became very popular among dancers a few years ago.

When not used

It is important to know when the definite article is used, but it is equally important to know when it is. not used.

• with plural nouns that can't be counted when we say something general.

Trees produce oxygen.- Trees produce oxygen. (any trees, in general)

• With names own and before names we never use it.

Jinny is very talented. She can play 3 different musical instruments. Ginny is very talented. She can play three different instruments.

• With titles countries, cities, streets, parks, mountains, lakes, bridges and islands we try to avoid it.

Spain is mostly famous for its football club Barcelona. - Spain is mostly known for its football club Barcelona.

I dream of climbing Everest.- I dream of climbing Everest.

• With titles sports, activities, games, colors, days, months, drinks, meals he is not friendly.

I can speak Turkish a little.- I can speak Turkish a little.

I was born in July. - I was born in July.

My favorite color is green. - Green is my favorite color.

• If we have pronouns this, that, those- we not use "the". In addition, with possessive pronouns (and the possessive case in general!) we also do not use it.

This the ball was signed by a famous football player.- This ball was signed by a famous footballer.

Kathy's dress is ready. I've already cleaned it.- Casey's dress is ready. I cleaned it yesterday.

• With words school, church, hospital, college, university, court, prison we use it or we don't use it depending on meaning. Let's see an example:

I go to school from Monday to Friday.- I go to school from Monday to Friday. (as a student)

My mother went to the school for a meeting. My mother went to school for a meeting. (As a parent, not as a student)

• With titles diseases we can also use or do not use article.

I've got (the) flu. - I got sick.

Set expressions

Both the and a form fixed expressions that cannot be changed in any way. So let's get to know them (By the way, if you need general information about the articles of the English language, then you are).

I am sure that now that you have a hint in the form of a table and structured rules in your hands, it will be much easier for you to master the ones that I have prepared for you. And after them, you can move on to. Practice as much as possible, study, learn new rules and improve your English.

And I'm ready to help you with this. The materials on my blog are constantly updated, and my subscribers receive them even before they appear on the site. I look forward to seeing you there as well, to share important materials with the very first.

And for today I say goodbye.

In many foreign languages ​​there is such a part of speech as the article (The Article). This is a service part of speech and it acts as a determiner of a noun. There is no such part of speech in Russian, so it is difficult for Russian-speaking people who begin to learn English to get used to using articles in speech. How and why are articles used in English?

But if we do not use them, it may be difficult to communicate with an Englishman, because it will not be clear to him what kind of subject is being discussed, whether something is known about it or not. To avoid problems in communication and just to learn how to express yourself correctly, it is important and necessary to study the articles in English and their uses.

Today we will talk about such an important topic as the use of articles in English, and also consider cases when you need to use articles.

There are two types of articles in English:

• Definite Article (definite article)
• Indefinite Article (indefinite article)

THE- a definite article or Definite Article, and it is pronounced [ ðǝ ], when the noun begins with a consonant and [ ðɪ ] when the noun begins with a vowel. For example: the [ ðǝ ] school, the [ ðɪ ]apple.
A or AN- indefinite (Indefinite Article). When a noun begins with a consonant, we say " a banana", but if with a vowel, then " an orange".

To better understand what is the difference between a definite and an indefinite article in English, we will give an example in Russian: When articles are put in English

Cases of using articles in English

Here it is important to remember what are the rules for using articles in English:

• The article is used before every common noun.
• We do not use the article when a noun is preceded by a demonstrative or possessive pronoun, another noun in the possessive case, a cardinal number, or the negation of no (not not!).

This is a girl. - It's a girl.
My sister is an engineer. — My sister is an engineer.
I see the girls jumping rope. — I see girls jumping rope.

As a rule, the indefinite article in English is used when the subject is spoken about for the first time, and also if nothing is known about the subject. The definite article (Definite Article) is present where something is already known about the subject or it is mentioned in the conversation again. Let's follow this with a few examples. Note:

He has got a computer.- He has a computer (what kind of computer, what's wrong with it, what brand, etc. - we don't know.
The computer is new. - The computer is new (Now there is some information about the computer - it is new).
This is a tree. - This is a tree (it is not clear which tree, nothing is known about it).
The tree is green. - The tree is green (something is already known, the tree is covered with green foliage).
What articles and when are used in English?

• Indefinite Article a, an can be used in exclamatory sentences beginning with the word what: What a surprise! - What a surprise! What a beautiful day! — What a beautiful day!
• Indefinite article a, an in English it is used only with countable nouns: This is a book. - This is a book. I see a boy. - I see a boy.
• Definite Article is used with both countable and uncountable nouns: The book I read is very interesting. The book I am reading is very interesting. The meat you've bought is fresh. The meat you bought is fresh.
• Indefinite Article is used before an adjective if it is followed by a noun: We have a large family. - We have a big family. I read an interesting book. — I am reading an interesting book.
• The indefinite article can be used in a sentence in the sense of the word "one, one, one": My father has three children, two sons and a daughter. My father has three children - two sons and one daughter. Today I bought a copy-book and two pens. Today I bought one notebook and two pens.
• Definite Article is used in superlative adjectives: Pink Street is the largest street in that town. Pink Street is the biggest in this city.
• The definite article is used with geographical names, that is, before the names of rivers, canals, seas, mountains, oceans, bays, straits, archipelagos. But it is not used with the names of lakes, countries, continents. Exceptions: the United States of America, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Netherlands, the Ukraine, the Congo, the Crimea.

And now, friends, pay attention to what stable phrases in English always have a definite article:

• in the south
• in the north
• in the east
• in the west
• to the south
• to the north
• to the east
• to the west
• What's the use?
• To the cinema
• To the theater
• To the shop
• To the market
• At the cinema
• At the theater
• At the shop
• At the market.

There are still many separate cases of the use of articles in English. We will consider them in more detail in articles that are separately devoted to the definite article and separately to the indefinite article.

In general, the situation with articles in English is very serious. They need and should be used in speech, without them there is simply no way, otherwise we ourselves can get confused and confuse our interlocutor in the information presented. And in order not to get confused which articles exactly and when to use them, just memorize these cases. And you will see how this small but very necessary service part of speech will bring clarity to your conversation, and your speech will be beautiful and complete! So let the kids the, a and an become your helpers in your English speech!