1. a/an //the and zero article Use of articles in English

2. Indefinite articles: a /an With singular countable nouns 1. Talking about one thing. But not being specific. I´d like to go to a concert tonight but there´s nothing good on. 2. Mentioning something for the first time. I´ve had a great idea! 3. Talking about things generally (formal). A poet sees the world differently. (Plural : poets see the world differently).

3. Watch out! We use a before a consonat sound, and an before a vowel sound. It is the sound and not the spelling that is important. (a unique experience, an umbrella).

4. Definite article: the Singular countable nouns. being specific talking generally (formal) Is that the band you were talking about? The guitar is one of the oldest musical instruments. (= Guitars are…)

5. Plural countable and uncountable nouns Being specific: The scales are balanced to symbolise equality

6. Singular uncountable nouns Being specific Who did the publicity for the show?

7. With some adjectives to mean groups of people Talking generally: Pop music has always appealed more the young that the poor.

8. WATCH OUT! We often use the with physical things that are unique. (The moon, the Queen). We often use the with superlatives (eg the best) and cardinal numbers (eg the first). We can use the to mean the well-known or the famous. I bumped into Tom Cruise, the actor, in the supermarket. I bumped into Damian Hirst, the artist, in the supermarket.

9. Zero article: no article at all. With plural and uncountable nouns: TALKING GENERALLY Don´t let your young child use scissors unsupervised. With singular uncountable nouns. TALKING GENERALLY An artist always needs inspiration.

10. Articles by category and with particular phrases and expressions Time Indefinite article: In an hour, in a second. Definite article: In the winter, in the afternoon. Zero article: In 2010, in December, on Tuesday, at night.

11. Articles by category and with particular phrases and expressions. People and work: Indefinite article: Have a job, work as a teacher, I met a very nice American last night. Definite article: The King, The Principal, The British. Zero article: Russians, become President, go to work, be at work, have work to do

12. Articles by category and with particular phrases and expressions Public buidings: Indefinite article: Is there a bank near here? Definite article: The bank, the post office, go to the hospital/prison/school (as a visitor). Zero article: Go to hospital, prison, school ( as a patient, prisoner, student).

13. Articles by category and with particular phrases and expressions. Entertainment and sport: Indefinite article: Play us a song! I´ve got a tennis ball. Definite article: play the guitar, the media, on the radio, go to the cinema, watch the TV. Zero article: Play tennis, play guitar, listen to music, on television, watch TV.

14. Articles by category and with particular phrases and expressions. Education: Indefinite article: Have a lesson, take an exam. Definite article: Be in the first year. Zero article: Geography, be in class/year,/form 5.

15. Articles by category and with particular phrases and expressions. Travel: Indefinite article: Take a taxi, catch a bus, catch a train Definite article: in the car, in the taxi, on the bus, on the plane. Zero article: On foot, go home, go by car, by plane