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Article with holidays in English. Articles with proper names in English. Zero article or significant absence of the article

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Zero article or significant absence of the article

1. If there are other determiners before the noun - a possessive, demonstrative, interrogative, indefinite pronoun or a noun in the possessive case, then this noun is used without an article. My house is big.

2. The article is missing before a countable noun in plural, in that case, if in the singular there would be an indefinite article in front of it. I saw a book on the table. – I saw books on the table.

If a countable noun in the singular is used in a classifying sense, or with a definite article in a generalizing sense, such a noun in the plural does not have an article. A tiger is a wild animal. -Tigers are wild animals. The elephant lives in India. -Elephants live in India.

3. If you need to emphasize the number of countable nouns, then they are preceded by a cardinal number. In this case, it is a descriptive definition. Usually nouns with cardinal number are used without an article. There were t hree boys. But if the noun is specified, the definite article is used. – The two boys were dirty. Also, without the article, a noun is used with a quantitative numeral in the meaning of ordinal. Unit six, page twenty Also, if a noun is followed by a letter designation – point C, exhibit D

4. No article before real noun indicates the use of a noun in a generalized sense . I don't like coffee. The name of a substance can be used with a descriptive definition, which narrows the range of a number of homogeneous nouns, and therefore does not require a change in the article. Strong coffee is bitter. The names of substances denoting a variety, type or portion become countable and are used according to general rules: a coffee = a cup of coffee.

Countable nouns denoting meat as a type of food are used with a zero article - chicken, fish, turkey, duck, lamb etc. If it is important to indicate a number of uncountable nouns, indefinite pronouns are usually used. some, any. These pronouns are usually not translated into Russian. Bring me some water. Do you have any cheese?

5. An abstract noun is used without an article when it expresses generalized concept. Time will show who is right. Also, an abstract noun can be used with a descriptive definition - an adjective, which makes the noun less generalized. But this does not change the article. He doesn't love abstract art. Sometimes a noun in the generalized case can act as a descriptive definition. In this case, the article is also not used. . I am fond of science fiction. If an abstract noun has a descriptive definition that expresses a kind of quality, state, feeling, such a noun can be used with an indefinite article. He got a good education. If an abstract noun has an individualizing definition, or is specified by the situation, the definite article is used. . I like the music of this film.

The following nouns are never used with the indefinite article: advice, assistance, bliss, breeding, cunning, control, evidence, fun, guidance, health, information, money, nature, news, nonsense, permission, progress, trade, weather, work.

6. Without the article are used collective nouns denoting a group of objects: advice, baggage, chinaware, equipment, furniture, information, news etc.

7. Before a noun in inversion functions the article is not used. Good morning captain! Can I ask you a question, young man?

8. The article is not used before nouns denoting Times of Day in the event that they denote light, darkness: day, night, morning, afternoon, noon, daytime, evening, twilight, dusk, nightfall, midnight, sunrise, sunset. night came unexpectedly.

After nouns with prepositions: at, after, before, by, till, until, towards, past the article is also not used. I came home at night.

If the definition of a noun is words tomorrow, yesterday, or days of the week, the zero article is used. Since Friday night I haven't seen him.

The article is not used in the following prepositional combinations: all day (long), all night (through), day after day, day in day out, from morning till night, night after night, day and night, from day to day etc.

9. Names seasons are used without an article. I don't like autumn. If the noun - the name of the season is the nominal part of the compound predicate, the zero article is required. It is winter now. The appearance of a descriptive definition requires the indefinite article. It was a terribly rainy autumn. But the presence of adjectives late And early indicates the use of the zero article . It was early spring. If there is an individualizing attribute, the definite article is required. . It was the summer of 1991, when he married. After prepositions during, for, through The definite article is also used. We always move to the country for the summer.

10. Names meals used without article . What would you like for dinner? If dinner, or any other meal is official, or if it is individualized, then any article can be used. They gave a dinner. The lunch you cooked was marvelous.

11. Names diseases usually used without an article. He has fallen ill with the flu. Some nouns that are not medical terms refer to diseases: a headache, a pain in the back, a cold, a sore throat, etc. In English, these nouns are used without an article, in American they are used with an indefinite article. I have a terrible headache! If the noun denoting illness is in the plural, then it is used without the article .measles,mumps,shingles.

12. Names home and sports games, sports are used without an article. Why did you start playing football?

13. Names sciences and school subjects used without article . My favorite subject is Geography.

14. If nouns school, college, university, kindergarten, class, court, hospital, prison, jail, bed, sea, table, church, work are used without the article, this means the type of activity directly related to them. Dinner is ready. Sit down to table. If these nouns name a building, they are combined with the article that suits the situation. He was taken to hospital. We are going to the hospital to visit him.

15. With zero article are used:

a) Noun town as opposed to the word country, and in the following phrases: to be in town, to go to town, to come back to town, to live (stay) in town, to be out of town, to leave town.

b) Noun space meaning "space". When a child I used to dream of space.

c) Noun society in the meaning of "an organized society of people living in one place" People should work for the benefit of society.

d) Noun most meaning "majority". Most frogs can swim.

16. The article is omitted for brevity in newspaper and magazine headlines, announcements, texts of telegrams, geographical maps, theater remarks. . Doctor save child. Can arrive later prepare room.

17. Proper nouns are used with zero article:

a) C names, surnames of people, nicknames of animals. I saw Kate. If they are preceded by adjectives young, poor, lazy, etc., the article is also missing. Little John If a proper name is preceded by a word denoting rank, title, profession, rank (with a capital letter), a noun expressing family relations, the article is not used. Lord Byron, Aunt Polly. In the case of the appearance of the preposition of, the definite article is used - the Duke of York. If a rank, a title without a proper name, then the article is required - the President. The article is not used with a noun in the prepositional phrase c of, where the main word means post, title. He was nominated for the post of President. Words for family members father, sister, are considered as proper names if they are used in the speech of members of the same family. In this case, they are used without the article, with a capital letter.

If the surname is plural and denotes the whole family, the definite article is used - the Ivanovs.; or if there is an individualizing definition - It is the Belov, who phoned yesterday.

A proper name can be used with an indefinite article to show that it is “one of…” Is he not a Sympthon?; to give the meaning of "some" - A Mr Brown called you.; when using a name for an association of quality inherent in it: My husband is a real Othello!

b) With names schools, colleges, universities, unless the name of the institution contains a restrictive definition expressed by a prepositional phrase with of - the university of New York

c) with names magazines Times, Cosmopolitan

d) With names days of the week and months Friday, April

e) With names languages English,Chinese. If the name of the language contains the word language, the definite article is used.

f) With titles holidays Christmas, New Year

g) Before cuts BA=Bachelor of Arts, and words denoting the names of organizations, when all the capital letters that make up the word are read as a single word: NATO, UNO

h) Place names are used with the zero article: continents, regions, countries, cities, villages. Britain, Canada. Exceptions – the Ukraine, the Argentine (but Argentina) the Lebanon, the Cameroon, the Ivory Coast, the Congo, the Caucasus, the Crimea, the Hague, the Vatican, the Ruhr, the Sudan, the Senegal, the Tyrol, the Yemen, the Phillippines. If the name of the state contains a common noun - kingdom, commonwealth, union, state, republic, lands, federation, this name is used with the definite article . the USA

Titles areas with the definition north(northern), south (southern), minor, Latin, middle, ancient, old . ancient greece

Titles streets, squares, bridges, city districts, public buildings, parks Oxford Street, Buckingham Palace, Red Square. Street names with ordinal numbers - Fifth Avenue. Exceptions - the Arbat, the Garden Ring, the Via Manzoni, the Gorky Park, the Snowdonia National Park, the Botanical Gardens, the Strand, the Mall, the Main Street, the High Street, the Bronx, the Golden Gate Bridge, the Severn Bridge.

Titles mountain peaks, islands – Everest,Corfu; lakes- only if there is a word lake - lake Baikal, but the Baikal.

Titles bays and peninsulas, in the absence of a word peninsula-Kamchatka, Hudson Bay. But in a prepositional construction with of the definite article is used the Gulf of Mexico.

Titles capes Cape Horn, except for the Cape of Good Hope.

Titles airports, train stations – Heathrow, Waterloo Station.

Titles waterfalls – Niagara Falls.

Titles restaurants, shops – Luigi's, Harrod's

Titles companies, airlines – Kodak, British Airways

Titles planets– Saturn, Mars

Titles churches, especially if they are named after a saint - St Paul's Cathedral

Place names from center used with zero article – Lincoln Center

18. The article is absent before nouns, used in pairs and connected prepositions from…till/to– from beginning to end, from hand to mouth.

If there is a preposition before the noun – by, at, off, on, in– by plane, at home

If two nouns are connected by conjunction and– husband and wife.

Before nouns defined by words next, last , if they mean the future and the past – last week.

The article is absent in a number of set phrases, for example:

A noun that is inseparable from a verb.

ask for permission
to be in bed
to be at home
to be at school
to be at table
to be in prison
to be in town
to be on holiday
to be out of
to catch (lose) sight of
to declare war
to give offense (permission)
to give way to
to go by water (air, sea, land)
to go home
go to bed
to go to school
to go/(travel, come, arrive) by bus/(car, boat, ship, plane, air, train)
to go to sea
to go to town

go to church
to keep house
to keep time
to leave school
to leave town
to lose touch with
to lose track of
to make fun of
to make haste
to make use of
to pay attention to
to play chess (cards, football, tennis, hockey, etc.)
to set fire to
shake hands with
to take care
to take notice of
to take part
to take place
to tell lies

Noun inseparable from a preposition

at breakfast (dinner, lunch, supper)
at hand
at home
at dawn
at daybreak
at dusk
at first
at first sight
at night
at none
at peace
at present
at school
at sunrise
at sunset
at table
at twilight
at war
at work
by accident
by air
by chance
by day
by hand
by heart
by land
by letter
by mail
by means of
by mistake
by name
by night
by phone
by post
by sea

by telegram
by train (tram, boat, bus, taxi, etc.)
in addition to
in (on) behalf of
in care of
in case of
in charge of
in conclusion
in debt
in demand
in detail
in fact
in mind
in reference to
in search of
secret
in sight
in spite of
in time
in trouble
on board
on business
on condition that
on credit
on deck
on foot
holiday
on sale
on time
out of date
out of order
out of place
out of sight

A fused combination of two nouns with a preposition.

arm in arm
day after day
day by day
from beginning to end
from left to right
from morning to night
from town to town

from time to time
from day to day
from east to west
from side to side
from head to foot
hand in hand
side by side

Practical part

“Don’t cry, … baby,” said Carlson.
You can see a sign in a plane: “Fasten … seatbelt when sit”.
… President Medvedev invited … Mikhalkovs to the Kremlin. It was an official meeting with … President. … President of Russia made a speech in honor of the family.
- ... Mr. Bean is waiting for you in the room, Sir.
- Is he ... Mr Bean who was calling all ... day long yesterday?
- No Sir.
My dream is a trip to … lake Baikal! … Baikal is the deepest and the most beautiful lake in the world!
The koala means “no water”. … koalas get liquid from eucalyptus leaves.
I always bring … chinaware for my mum as a present.
History class is in …room F.
– Why do you like … PE?
– Because I like playing … basketball and we play it very often.
He is in…prison. … prison is a public building used to house convicted criminals. … prison where he is, is a modern one with a gym, a computer room and even an art centre.
… most teachers in Russia choose this profession because they have a call for teaching.
More and more people go to live in … town every year. Farming is not popular these days.
Have … fun! Don't think about … money.
–I think, I’ll take … ice-cream.
– OK. And I will have … juice. I don't like … ice-cream.
I remember … time when I was five. I was really happy.
When I looked out of the window I saw … three girls who weren’t at … school yesterday. They had … three new schoolbags.
When I lived in Sukhumi my favorite dish was … stewed lamb.
It is not your toy! It is … Mike's computer!
…twilight can be scaring for little children.
All … day long we were preparing for theexam.
It is ... summer now. It is … horribly hot summer. In spite of the fact that it is … late summer, the temperature is 30 degrees Celsius! We'll remember … summer of 2010, for sure! During … summer we drank liters of water every hour!
Children mustn't eat crisps for … breakfast every day! It's unhealthy. … breakfast they can buy in a canteen is nutritious and warm.
Nearly all the class has got … measles. Some children had … sore throat and … runny nose. So they've caught … cold.

Keys and comments

Baby (noun in the address function).
Seatbelt (article omitted for brevity in ads).
President (the proper name is preceded by a word denoting the position (with a capital letter); the Mikhalkovs (the surname is plural, and denotes the whole family); the President (position without a proper name); the President of Russia (an article with a noun in a prepositional phrase c of, where the main word means post, title).
A Mr Bean (to give the meaning of "some"); the Mr Bean (individualizing definition); all day long (prepositional combination).
lake Baikal (the presence of the word lake); the Baikal (name of the lake).
Koalas (singular (the koala) used with a definite article in a generalized sense).
Chinaware (a collective noun denoting a group of objects).
Room F (literal noun).
PE (name of the school subject); basketball (name of the sport).
In prison (an activity related directly to the noun); a prison (generalizing concept); the prison (noun specified).
Most teachers (noun most meaning "majority").
city (noun) town as opposed to the word country).
Fun, money (never used with the indefinite article, generic meaning).
An ice-cream (portion); juice (generalized sense); ice-cream (generalized sense).
The time (abstract noun, has an individualizing definition).
The three girls (noun specified); at school (noun, inseparable from the preposition); three new bags (descriptive definition).
Lamb (meat as a type of food).
Mike's computer (possessive).
Twilight (noun denoting the time of day; denoting darkness).
All day long (prepositional combination).
Summer (noun - the name of the season, is the nominal part of the compound predicate); a horribly hot summer (descriptive definition); late summer (with adjectives late And early); the summer of (individualizing definition); the summer (after the preposition during).
Breakfast (meal name); the breakfast (meal is individualized).
Measles (noun for disease, plural); a sore throat, a runny nose, a cold (a non-medical noun that refers to a disease).

In this lesson, we will consider the topic "Articles in English". We will study what articles exist and the basic rules for using them in constructions. Parsing is at a level understandable for children and adults.

The use of articles in conjunction with nouns in English is quite a voluminous topic, so you should be patient.

In English, the article (The Article) is the main definition of nouns. When a sentence is being built, the first thing they start with is thinking about articles, the speaker defines a definite or indefinite noun and then the articles are put. In other words, we are talking about something specific or generalized. There are no articles in the Russian language, which is why this topic causes certain difficulties for many.

When drawing up a construction in English, the article is used in almost all cases. Distinguish:

The Definite Article or the definite article to which it refers The;
The Indefinite Article or the indefinite article to which they refer an And a.

We will study 3 cases of using the article - the use of the indefinite, definite articles and cases when the article is not used at all in the construction.

Definite Articles in English (The Definite Article)

This part of speech has only one form the. In terms of grammar, it comes from the demonstrative pronoun "that - that".

The definite article The Definite Article is used in a sentence when it comes to an object that has already been discussed or in cases where the interlocutor understands what the conversation is about.
For example, Please show me the book. Show me this book, please.
Also, this part of speech is used in a sentence when interlocutors talk about an object that is one of a kind.
For example, The sun is in the sky. - The sun is in the sky.
is used in all cases when the interlocutors talk about a musical group, a newspaper, a cinema, a restaurant.
For example, The Beatles - The Beatles.
The name of the nationality, when not talking about someone specific, but generalizing all representatives of the genus, is used with the part of speech in question.
For example, the Americans. - Americans.
The definite article is used in some phrases.
For example, at the cinema / the theater - to the cinema / theater. Here a stable structure was used.
If the proper name contains the words kingdom (kingdom), union (union), republic (republic), this article is used together with them.
For example, The United Kingdom is the United Kingdom.
This part of speech is used in sentences after prepositions of place.
If there is a construction “next, last + some time period”, we put this article before the whole construction.
For example, the next day is the next day.
For example, There is a cat in front of the monitor. – There is a cat in front of the screen.
If we are talking about the whole family, then the article in question is also placed before the surname.
For example, The Petrovs are at home. - Peter's houses.
objects are also used in construction with the part of speech in question.
For example, the Arctic - the Arctic and the Alps - the Alps.

Attention, in the names of countries, streets, airports, islands, the article is not used.
If a proper name is expressed by a title and after it there is such a value of, the article in question is used.
For example, The Prince of Wales is the Prince of Wales.
In English, as in Russian, there is an adjective used without a noun, but denoting a group of people. This form should also be preceded by this part of speech. .
For example, The old - old people.
If the construction contains a superlative adjective, articles definite are also used before it.
Example, the quickest is the fastest.
The is used in all cases where there is an "of" before the noun.
For example, The Tower of London is the Tower of London.
With the cardinal points, this article is always used in the construction.
For example, the Northern part of our country - the north of our country.
If the sentence contains the word only (in the meaning of the only one), then here we also use the article in question.
For example, She was the only beautiful woman in his life. She was the only beautiful woman in his life.
And the last case of the use of articles is before the ordinal number.
Example: We are on the fourth floor. We are on the fifth floor.

This considered article is used with nouns used in the singular and plural.

Indefinite article

Prepositions are used with the days of the week in English on, till, by, from...to. However, there are other words that are often used with the days of the week in English. Each of them has its own history and its own translation into Russian, which we will now talk about.

Preposition of time on with days of the week in English

The preposition of time is rightly considered the most popular with the days of the week. on .

It is English pretext on with the days of the week allows you to answer the question "When did the action occur, occur or will occur?"

Preposition on and days of the week	Translation into Russian	Sentence examples	Translation of sentences
on Sunday on Sundays	on Sunday on Sundays	On Sunday(s) we don't go to school	On Sunday (Sundays) we don't go to school
on Monday on Mondays	on Monday on Mondays	On Monday(s) Jill gets up at 6am	On Monday (Mondays) Jill gets up at 6 am
on Tuesday on Tuesdays	on Tuesday on Tuesdays	I never go to the gym on Tuesday(s)	I never go to the gym on a Tuesday (Tuesdays)
on Wednesday on Wednesdays	on Wednesday on Wednesdays	On Wednesday(s) Mom does the washing	On Wednesday (Wednesdays) mom does the laundry
on Thursday on Thursdays	on Thursday on Thursdays	We clean the house on Thursday(s)	On Thursday (Thursdays) we do the cleaning
Friday on Fridays	on Friday on Fridays	We meet on Friday(s)	We usually meet on Friday (Fridays)
on Saturday on Saturdays	on Saturday on Saturdays	On Saturday(s) we go shopping	On Saturday (on Saturdays) we buy groceries

Usually with a suggestion on days of the week are used in the singular, but if you need to say about a repetitive, routine action, use it by adding an ending -s: on Sundays(Russian on Sundays).

Most often with a suggestion on and the day of the week in the plural, group times are used Indefinite, while sentences with a day of the week may have other English tenses and constructions in the singular, but this is not the rule.

Examples of using the prepositions on with the days of the week:

Prepositions by, from, till with days of the week in English

In addition to the well-known preposition on with the days of the week, prepositions can also be used in English till, by, from...to. Each preposition gives a special meaning, answering the question "when?".

For example preposition by(Russian k, do) means "on time, until a certain time", and in the phrase by Monday will be translated "by Monday".

Examples of using the prepositions till, by, from...to with the days of the week

You can find more detailed information about all the prepositions with which the days of the week are used, in the article.

Words every, last, this, next with English days of the week

Unlike the Russian language, in word combinations every, this, last, next articles and prepositions are not used with the days of the week, for example: Next Sunday I'll be lying on the beach(Rus. Next Sunday I will be lying on the beach).

Examples of using the words every, next, last, this with the days of the week:

The words morning, afternoon, evening, night with the days of the week

Sometimes it is necessary to clarify when exactly during the day (morning, afternoon or evening) an action occurs or occurred.

To say "Sunday evening" or "Friday morning", put the day of the week before the time of day, and here is the preposition on remains: Sunday night And Friday morning.

Examples of the use of the words morning, afternoon, evening, night

At the weekend or on the weekend?

The British use the preposition to say "weekend". at and definite article the : at the weekend(Russian on weekends). But American English simplifies the task and suggests continuing to use the preposition on:

In colloquial speech, especially in American language, the preposition "on" is sometimes omitted before names of dates: I"ll phone you (on) Wednesday(Rus. I'll call you on Wednesday).

Articles with days of the week in English

People have a special relationship with Mondays and any Monday (a Monday) can be a real challenge.

Reading this subheading, you might say that the days of the week are never used with articles, and you will be right... partially.

The English language is rich in exceptions, and now we will talk about one of them.

Indefinite article with days of the week in English

In which case can we call any day of the week with indefinite article?

Remember!

We use the indefinite article a(an) with the days of the week when we want to say about an event that will happen on some (non-specific) Monday.

In the example The next meeting of the Zetetic Society will be on Monday.(Russian. The next meeting of the community of truth seekers will be held on Monday) it immediately becomes clear that the meeting will take place on the coming Monday. If today is Friday, that would mean three days from now.

If you say The next meeting will be on a Monday will mean that the meeting will take place on Monday, but not necessarily on the following Monday or on one of the specific Mondays. It's just that this meeting will take place on "one of the Mondays."

Examples of using the indefinite article with days of the week in English:

Definite article with days of the week in English

Concerning definite article, then it will be applied only in one case before the names of the days of the week.

Remember!

Definite article the used with English days of the week to refer to a specific day, usually associated with already known events in the past or future.

In other words, if you say on the with the day of the week, the interlocutor will understand that you are talking about the day as a period in the past or future, which has already been mentioned, or it refers to specific events known to him:

Tuesday after Christmas(Tuesday after Christmas)

Friday before my birthday(Friday before my birthday)

the last Wednesday of each month(last Wednesday of each month)

Examples of using the definite article with the days of the week in English:

Word combinations and expressions with days of the week in English

The English often make fun of their laziness and dislike of Mondays. Cheerful dog Snoopy shows his attitude to the days of the week in the picture.

Who among English learners does not dream of learning a couple of idiomatic expressions with which he can show off among his circle of friends, and which bring his speech closer to native speakers?

In this section, we will look at popular idioms and phrases in English language associated with the days of the week.

Phrases and phrases in English	Translation into Russian
long weekend	long holiday, when an additional day off is added to Saturday and Sunday (usually due to a holiday)
Mondayish ["mʌndɪɪʃ]	in a bad mood (usually after the weekend)
Monday feeling	unwillingness to work (especially after Sunday)
Bloody Monday	stud. the first day of vacation, the day of punishment of violators
Fat Monday	last Monday before Lent in the Catholic and Anglican churches
Black Tuesday	"Black Tuesday", October 29, 1929
from here to next Tuesday	"a very long time"
Wednesday girl	inconspicuous girl, "gray mouse"
Holy Wednesday	Holy Wednesday (during Holy Week)
Friday fare	lean food
Friday face	lean face, lean mine
Friday girl	girl Friday, trouble-free assistant or secretary, by analogy with man Friday - Friday, a servant in the novel by Daniel Defoe (1659-1731) "Robinson Crusoe"
Sunday best	the best for Sunday, usually about clothes - the best or most beautiful clothes.
saturday girl	"Saturday girl", a schoolgirl or student who works as a saleswoman on Saturdays
Sunday's child	a child born on Sunday; lucky person
Sunday closing	closed shops on sundays
sunday driver	a car driver who works only on Sundays; inept, slow driver
sunday face	hypocrisy
When two Sundays meet together	never (literally: "When two Sundays meet together"), compare with the Russian proverb "After the rain on Thursday"
Sunday dinner	Sunday lunch, holiday dinner
sunday man	person who is in society only on Sundays
sunday painter	amateur artist, hobbyist
Sunday supplement	Sunday newspaper supplement

Remember to repeat and use idiomatic phrases along with the days of the week when communicating in English. And then, no one will be able to compare you with the Wednesday girl and make a Friday face in a conversation with you.

Instead of a conclusion:

Now you know, How to use the days of the week in an English sentence.

Good luck in learning English!

In contact with

When studying English, you will certainly come across such a grammatical phenomenon as articles. You won’t be able to pass it by, because they are all around, and their use causes significant difficulties. Let's try to compare all the cases to make it easier to navigate.

This is best done using the table of articles in English. So, you already know that "a/an" and "the" exist. Some nouns may have no articles at all. In this case, the zero article is used. The main thing to know is that "a / an" is used mainly before countable nouns that are unknown, in the meaning of any, one of. But "the" specifically refers to something specific: this pencil, not that one. And we will consider all exceptions and subtleties below.

Use cases

Do not think that the use of articles is so difficult. If everything is correctly laid out, studied in detail, then very soon you will not only complete tests and tasks without problems, but also speak correctly. Our table of articles will tell you about the main cases.

Articles with geographical names

Titles	Article the	Zero article
Countries, continents, cities - usually without an article	Ho: the Hague, the Vatican, the Congo, The Philippines, The USA, The United Kingdom, The Netherlands, the city of Moskow, The England of today	France, Moscow, North America, Africa
Names of rivers, oceans, seas, canals, straits, lakes	The Atlantic Ocean, The Black Sea, The Volga, the Antario	BUT: Lake Baikal
Bays, gulfs	BUT: Bay of Fundy	San Francisco Bay
Deserts, mountain ranges, island groups, plains, valleys	The Alps, The Urals, The Gobi, The Sahara, The west Indies, The great Plains	BUT: Dearth Valley, Silicon Valley
Individual mountains, individual islands		Everest, Sicily, Madagascar
4 cardinal points	the north, the south, the west, the east
Regions	the Middle East

Table of English articles with titles and proper nouns

Articles with the names of periods, diseases, meals

Articles with the names of the times of the day

Nouns	Article the	Zero article	Article a
seasons, parts of the day		summer, spring, with the words early (late, broad) early morning, late evening
If there is a descriptive definition			a fine clear morning, a rainy summer
C to come, to approach, to fall, to set in, to break			Night came at last.Day was breaking when we set out.Night was falling quickly.
REMEMBER:	in the morning - in the morning; in the evening - in the evening; in the daytime - in the afternoon; in the afternoon - during the day; at night - at night; at dawn - at dawn; before dawn - before dawn; after sunset - after sunset; from morning to night - from morning to evening; early in the morning - early in the morning; all through the day - all day; day after day - from day to day; night after night - every night during the summer - in summer (during the summer period) day and night - around the clock

Articles with abstract and concrete nouns

The table of articles in English can serve as a clear clue to you what and when to put. If you need more detailed explanations, then take a look at the individual articles. But the main thing in order to learn the use of articles is to practice, day after day. And then English will seem to you not so confusing and complicated.

Zero article(English) zero article) - such significant absence of the article, which correlates and compares with the presence of a definite or indefinite article and, like these articles, carries a semantic load. An example of a meaningful absence of an article (= an example of a zero article) is, first of all, the non-use / omission of the article before nouns denoting any substance and abstract categories: water - water, snow - snow, beauty - beauty, love - love, etc. The absence of an article before a noun in the singular means that the noun expresses this concept in the most general way, without classification and individualization (this does not apply to specific situations, for example, the need to omit the article in circulation).

The zero article is used (= the article is not used):

If the noun is preceded by another determiner, such as a possessive, demonstrative or interrogative pronoun, as well as the pronoun some, any, no, each, every: "our dog" - "our dog", "those cars" - "those cars", "What table?" - "Which table?"
Before nouns that are preceded by an indefinite article in the singular, and which, accordingly, do not have a plural article: " A body moves under the action of some force." - "The body moves under the action of some force."
Before plural countable nouns used in general statements, declarations: "__Children like ice cream." - "Kids love ice cream."
With uncountable nouns used in general statements, declarations, mainly denoting a substance, mass: "water" - "water", "milk" - "milk", "sugar" - "sugar", "sand" - "sand" .
If the noun is preceded by another possessive noun: "__Jack 's 's
Before most proper names: "__Tolstoy is my favorite writer." - "Tolstoy is my favorite writer."
In structures containing a proper name, if the proper name is used in the genitive case: "__Nelson's tomb" - "the tomb of (who?) Nelson".
The article is omitted before abstract nouns, before plural nouns to indicate that an object belongs to any class of objects (with the verbs "to have", "to see", etc., with the turnover "there are", in the nominal part of the compound predicate ) with and without a descriptive definition; in front of a noun in a sentence, unless it emphasizes the fame of the person to whom it refers; in exclamatory sentences after "what" before countable nouns in plural. number: "The work gives him __satisfaction." - "Work brings him satisfaction." "I like to read __English books." - "I like to read English books." "What lovely __flowers!" - "What wonderful flowers!" "The three sisters are all __teachers." "All three sisters are teachers."
Before a noun defined by "next" meaning "future" and "last" meaning "past": "I went to Spain for my holiday __last year, and I am going there __next year too." - "Last year I was on holiday in Spain and will go there again next year."
Before nouns denoting the names of days, months and seasons: "on __Friday" - "on Friday", "in __October" - "in October", "in __winter" - "in winter".
If after the noun there is a cardinal number in the meaning of the ordinal: "__lesson ten" - "lesson ten (tenth lesson)", "__page twenty-five" - "page 25 (twenty-fifth page)".
After the verb "to be" and some other verbs, before a predicate denoting a position held by one person at a time: "Who is __manager of the office?" - "Who is in charge of this institution?"
Before a noun as an address: "What are you doing here, girls?" - "What are you doing here, girls__?"
Before a noun that appears at proper names and denotes titles, ranks (scientific, military) or serves as a form of address: "__Mr. Brown wishes to see __Dr. Smith." - "Mr. Brown wants to see Dr. Smith."
Before science titles: "I like __Literature." - "I love literature."
Before nouns in headlines, announcements and telegrams: "__Polish Delegation arrives in Moscow." - "Polish delegation arrives in Moscow."
Before nouns denoting members of the same family, relatives or friends, if they are used as proper names (in the speech of members of this family): "Father" - "dad", "Mother" - "mother", "Aunt" - " aunt", "Uncle" - "uncle", "Nurse" - "nanny", "Baby" - "baby", "Child" - "child".
Before nouns such as "advice", "information", "money", "hair", "fruit" in the absence of a restrictive definition: "This is __important information." "This is important information."
Before the noun "permission": "He asked me for __permission to stay away." - "He asked me for permission to refrain from participating."

into

from

after

Before the names of holidays containing the word "day": "before Victory Day" - "before Victory Day".
With the exclamation what and the demonstrative pronoun such before the words "news" - "news", "weather" - "weather", "advice" - "advice", "progress" - "development, progress", etc. (given below)
Before the noun after the verbs "to be, act / work as, make, appoint, run for" - "to be, work / work as, do, appoint, nominate" if the noun denotes a position occupied by only one person: "He was running for __Mayor." - "He ran for mayor."
Before nouns society opinion in the meaning of "type of groups", mankind in the meaning of "humanity": "socialist / communist / capitalist / bourgeois / civilized / consumer society" - "socialist / communist / capitalist / bourgeois / civilized / consumer society".
With the nouns "breakfast" - "breakfast", "lunch" - "lunch snack", "dinner - lunch", "supper" - "dinner", "tea" - "tea party", to give them a more general meaning - usually process meals (cf. "during lunch", "after tea", etc.).
Before nouns used in pairs and connected prepositions like from... to (till) the bed" - "to go to beds", "to go to the

Now let's analyze all the points in more detail.

The article is not used if another determiner is in front of the noun (see more), for example, a possessive, demonstrative or interrogative pronoun, as well as the pronoun some, any, no, each, every: "my brother" - "my brother", "this country - "this country", "What story?" - "What story?" "some students" - "several students", "no mistake" - "not a single mistake", "each pupil" - "each student", "every day" - "every day".

Nouns preceded by an indefinite article in the singular (see for more details), respectively, do not have a plural article (due to the fact that the indefinite article a simply does not have a plural form, since one of its meanings is "one" : you can say "a book" - "one book", but it is forbidden say "a bookS" - "one book"): " A body moves under the action of some force." But: "__Bodies move under the action of some force." - "Bodies move under the action of some force."

The zero article is used before plural countable nouns that are used in general statements, declarations: "__Men are fond of hunting." - "Men like hunting." "__Dogs should eat meat." "Dogs should eat meat." "__Oranges are good for you." - "Oranges are good for you."

The absence of the article is typical for uncountable nouns, that is, those that do not have a plural form, which are used in general statements and declarations. Basically, these are nouns denoting a substance, mass: "water" - "water", "milk" - "milk", "sugar" - "sugar", "sand" - "sand", "light" - "light" , "air" - "air", "tea" - "tea", "cotton" - "cotton", "grass" - "grass", etc.: "I like __ice-cream." - "I like ice cream." "__Red is my favorite colour." - "Red is my favorite color." "__Coffee is produced in Brazil." - "Coffee is produced in Brazil."
Since the indefinite article is usually used with nouns denoting individual countable objects, and the absence of an article is typical for nouns expressing the name of a material (substance) and abstract concepts, then:

the absence of an article before nouns that usually have a specific meaning makes the word more abstract value: "This end wall is all __window("solid light source") ." "This end wall is a solid source of light."
the use of the indefinite article before nouns usually used without an article, narrows the volume concepts, and the whole combination denotes the type of substance or a certain amount of it: "__Tea is one of the most important crops of South-Western India. If a shilling was given me by Mr. Quinion at any time, I spent it on a dinner or a tea ." - "Tea is one of the most important crops in South West India. Anytime I got a shilling from Mr. Quignon, I spent it on dinner or a cup of tea [Dickens]."
The meaning of the word "tea" in the first example is "tea" (the name of the product), in the second it is "a portion of tea" (a cup or a glass of tea). Some nouns in their main meaning are not used at all with the indefinite article: "weather" - "weather", "progress" - "development", "work" - "work", "information" - "information", "permission" - " permission", "advice" - "advice": "It was __exhausting work carried on, hour after hour, at top speed ." "It was backbreaking work, going on hour after hour, at top speed [London]." "He gives me __good advice ." - "He gives me good advice." "It was __cold still weather." - "It was cold and windless [Dickens]." Ho: "It's not meant to be a great literary work, it is meant to be a history of the building of Socialism." - "It meant to be a great literary work, it meant to be a history of building socialism."

The article is not used if the noun is preceded by another noun in the possessive case: "__Jack 's family" - "Jack's family", "__England 's industry" - "industry of England".
In combinations such as the teacher "s book" - "teacher's book" the article refers to, in this case, the word "teacher" - "teachers", and not the word "book" - "book".
In the model " word / group of words in the possessive case+ noun" the article refers to the definition. Do not use an article if the definition does not require an article. For example, "at __today's / __yesterday's / __tomorrow's / __next week's / __last year's / __last Tuesday's, etc. festival" "__New York's tallest building" - "The tallest building in New York", "__Martin's second wife" - "Martin's second wife", "__Japan's second largest city" - "The second largest city in Japan" (but: "the world's highest mountain" - "the highest mountain in the world").

The article is not placed before most proper names, since the proper name is quite specific and does not require further clarification: "__Tolstoy is my favorite writer." - "Tolstoy is my favorite writer." "__London is the capital of England." - "London is the capital of England." But: subject to availability limiting definitions use the article the: "I mean the Tolstoy who wrote "Peter I". - "I mean ( Togo) Tolstoy, who wrote "Peter I".

The article is omitted before abstract nouns (which include the names of social phenomena, sciences, emotions, etc.), before plural nouns to indicate that an object belongs to any class of objects (with the verbs "to have", "to see", etc., with the turnover "there are", in the nominal part of the compound predicate) with and without a descriptive definition; in front of a noun in a sentence, unless it emphasizes the fame of the person to whom it refers; in exclamatory sentences after "what" before countable nouns in plural. number: "The work gives him __satisfaction." - "Work brings him satisfaction." "I like to read __English books." - "I like to read English books." "What lovely __flowers!" - "What wonderful flowers!" "The three sisters are all __teachers." "All three sisters are teachers."

The article is not used before a noun defined by "next" meaning "future" and "last" meaning "past" (if the noun denotes time): "I went to Spain for my holiday __last year, and I am going there __next year too." - "Last year I was on holiday in Spain and will go there again next year."

The article is not used before nouns denoting the names of days, months and seasons: "on __Friday" - "on Friday", "in __October" - "in October", "in __winter" - "in winter". When it means certain date or period (expressed by a grammatical phrase with the preposition of), is used definite article: "the winter of 1941" - "the winter of 1941", "the October of 1917" - "October 1917": "Not returned after the Monday of the explosion." - "He came back after (that) Monday when the explosion happened"

A noun is used without an article if it is followed by a cardinal number in the meaning of an ordinal: "__lesson ten" - "lesson ten (tenth lesson)", "__page twenty-five" - "page 25 (page twenty-fifth)", "Take __bus six ." - "Get on bus six." (but: "Take a six bus" - "Get on bus number six").
The article is not placed before ordinal street names: "The main New York Public Library is situated on __Fifth Avenue between __40th Street and __42nd Street." "The main New York Public Library is located on Fifth Avenue between 40th and 42nd streets."
When the adverb comes first, or when it has the meaning of an adjective (= "the most important" - "the most important", "the best" - "the best", "the earliest" - "the earliest") and in some phraseological turns ( set phrases), the numeral "first" is used without the article: "Ladies __first" - "First Ladies" "With him business comes __first." "He's got business first." "Finish your work __first." - "Finish your work first." "She came __first (= won't race)." - "She came first (= won the race)." "He took __first place." - "He won first place." "She won __first prize." - "She won first prize." "They traveled __first class." - "They traveled first class." "I'll do it, __first thing tomorrow morning." - "I'll do it first thing tomorrow morning." "Do you believe in love at __first sight?" - "Do you believe in love at first sight?"

The article is omitted after the verb "to be" and some other verbs before the predicate ( predicate- the nominal part of a compound, expressed not just by one verb, a predicate, for example: "I became a doctor", where "became" is the verb part of the compound predicate, and "doctor" is a predicate), denoting a position occupied by one person at a time: "Who is __manager of the office?" - "Who is in charge of this institution?" In this case, the definite article ( the manager), for comments on the last case, see .

The article is not used before a noun, as an address: "How old are you, __young man?" - "How old are you, young man?"

The article is omitted before a noun that stands at proper names and denotes titles, ranks (scientific, military) or serves as a form of address: "__Academician N. died several years ago." - "Academician N. died several years ago." "Can I speak to __captain Jones?" - "May I speak to Captain Jones?" "__Mr. Brown wishes to see __Dr. Smith." - "Mr. Brown wants to see Dr. Smith." Note that such nouns that precede proper names are capitalized.

The zero article is used with science names: "I like __Literature and __History, but I don't like __Mathematics." "I love literature and history, but I don't like math."

The article is not placed before nouns in headings, announcements and telegrams: "__Polish Delegation arrives in Moscow." - "Polish delegation arrives in Moscow." In a number of cases, articles in newspaper headlines, however, are retained; for example, if the article is part of a phraseological unit (stable expression): "Soviet Town Planners take a look." - "Soviet urban planners get acquainted[Daily Worker]" "U.S. Clock Firm In Australia Calls It a Day." - "American watch company in Australia finishes work[Daily Worker]."

Articles are not used before nouns denoting members of the same family, relatives or friends, if they are used as proper names (in the speech of members of this family). Such nouns are often capitalized: "Father" - "dad", "Mother" - "mother", "Aunt" - "aunt", "Uncle" - "uncle", "Nurse" - "nanny", "Baby " - "baby", "Child" - "child": "Has __Mother come back yet?" - "Mom already returned?" "__Father wants to speak to you." "Father wants to talk to you."

The article is not needed before such nouns as "advice", "information", "money", "hair", "fruit", in the absence of a limiting definition (definitions like "...,that/that/those that/th/s. .."): "This is __important information." "This is important information." "I need __advice badly." "I really need advice."

The noun "permission" is never used with the article: "He asked me for __permission / got __permission / was given __permission to stay away." - "He asked me / got / was given permission to refrain from participating."

The absence of the article is typical for prepositional phrases used in the meaning of circumstances. Often these are turns with such nouns as "school" - "school", "college" - "college", "market" - "market", "town" - "city", "prison" - "prison", "jail" - "investigative prison", "court" - "court", "hospital" - "hospital", "camp" - "camp", "bed" - "bed", "table" - "table" usually with prepositions at, into, to, from, after. These nouns in similar phrases denote not objects and institutions, and that activity or state with which they are associated; cf. Russian: "it turned out at the table...", "after school" (= after class), etc.
When used with an article, these nouns fully retain the meaning of objectivity, cf.: The light of fire and candle shone upon us, seated warm and merry, at __table. - "The light from the fireplace and candles fell on us, warmed and animated, sitting at the table [Dickens]." "Taking a step or two towards the table, he said... ." - "Taking a step or two towards the table, he said... [Dickens]"
The same in revolutions with the union as in the meaning of "as": "I remained an inmate of its walls for eight years: six as __pupil, and two as __teacher ." "I remained imprisoned within its walls for eight years: six as a student and two as [Bronte's] teacher." He had imagined himself speaking and acting half as __man, half as __judge . "He imagined himself speaking and acting partly as a man, partly as a judge [Galsworthy]."

The article may be omitted in colloquial speech in incomplete sentences: ""Married?" "__Widower, sir. Two children" ." - ""Married?" "Widower, sir. Two children."[Galsworthy]." "Your mother's an uncommonly clever woman, you know. __Cleverest woman I've ever known ." "Your mother is an extraordinarily intelligent woman, you know. The smartest woman I have ever known [Beresford]."

The current tradition prohibits the use of the article before the names of holidays containing the word "day": "before / after New Year's Day / Victory Day / VE Day / Constitution Day / Independence Day / Thanksgiving Day / All Fools' Day" - "before / after New Year's Day / Victory Day / Germany's Surrender Day to the Allied Forces / Constitution Day / Independence Day / Thanksgiving Day / All Fools' Day.

Incorrect use of the article with an exclamation what and demonstrative pronoun such before the words "news" - "news", "weather" - "weather", "advice" - "advice", "progress" - "development, progress" "information" - "information, information" as well as the noun "work "- "work" (activity and position), "evidence" - "testimony; evidence, evidence", "damage" - "damage": " What beautiful flowers!" - "What beautiful flowers!" "I've never seen such computers." - "I have never seen such computers." Whereas singular countable nouns in this model are used with an indefinite article (as shown).

As a rule, the article is not used before a noun after the verbs "to be, act / work as, make, appoint, run for" - "to be, work / work as, do, appoint, nominate" if the noun denotes a position held only by one person: "He was running for __Mayor." - "He ran for mayor." "He was elected __chairman." - He was elected chairman." "hey made him __headmaster." - "They made him director." "In Mr Taylor's absence Mr Brooks acted as __manager." - "In Mr Taylor's absence Mr Brooks acted as __manager." ."

The article is not used before nouns. society in the meaning of "social order", opinion in the meaning of "type of groups", mankind in the meaning of "humanity": "socialist / communist / capitalist / bourgeois / civilized / consumer society" - "socialist / communist / capitalist / bourgeois / civilized / consumer society", "public opinion" - "public opinion", "world public opinion " - "world public opinion", "mankind" - "humanity", "all mankind" - "all mankind".
The noun in of-phrases followed by the words "kind" - "kind", "type" - type, "sort" - sort, "style" - "type, sort", is mainly used without the article: "this kind of person(s)" - "this type of person(s)", "that sort of thing(s)" - "this kind of thing(s)", "this type of film(s)" - "this type of film (s)" "What kind of person is he?" - "What kind of people are they?" - "What kind of people are they?"

The nouns "breakfast" - "breakfast", "lunch" - "lunch snack", "dinner" - "lunch", "supper" - "dinner", "tea" - "tea party" without the article have a more general meaning - usually process meals (cf. "during lunch", "after tea", etc.), while when the definite article is used in front of them, the very essence of the object is implied, everything with which it is associated in our imagination, and this opposition is more clear with an example: The dinner is the supreme meal of the day." - Lunch (everything that is meant by it - what time - what menu - what atmosphere, etc.) - the main meal of the day [Christie]. "We had almost finished __dinner, when taking a step towards the table, I said...."

The article is absent before nouns, used in pairs and connected prepositions like from... to (till)..., before nouns denoting meeting places where they go for the main purpose: to be in __hospital (for treatment), "to be in __prison" - "to be in prison" (as a punishment), "to be at __table" - "sit at the table" (eating), "to go to market" - "go to the market" (buy or sell), "in court" - "in court" (in court), "to go to __bed" - "go to bed" (to sleep), "go to __school" - "to go to school" (to study), but "to go to the bed" - "to go to beds", "to go to the school" - "to go to school, to the school building".
On the other hand, when the noun is used in the sense of "buildings" and not "activities", the article should be used: "Go past the school, then turn to the left." - "Go past the school and turn left." "I went to the hospital to see my brother, who had just been operated on." - "I went to the hospital to see my brother, who had just been operated on."
The article is also omitted in a number of frozen phraseological combinations in which the noun has become an integral part of the combination: "to go on __foot" - "to walk", "at __home" - "at home", "__hand in __hand" - "hand in hand" , "by __day" - "by day", "by __night" - "at night", etc. Often they have (answering the questions "how? -where? -where? -when? -when?"). The most characteristic in terms of the presence or absence of this or that article are the combinations given below:

Verbs:
to have a (good) time	(have a good time
to have a smoke (a bite, etc.)	smoke (snack)
to have a look, etc.	look at (something/someone)
to have a headache (a cold i t. n.)	suffer from a headache (cold)
to take the floor	take the floor
to have dinner (supper, lunch, tea) But: to have a good dinner	have lunch (dine, have breakfast, drink tea)
to take the trouble	take on the job...
to play the piano (the violin, etc.)	play the piano (violin)
to tell the time	show / tell what time it is
to tell the truth	to tell the truth
to take part (in)	take part (in)
to take place	happen
to take care (of)	look after / look after
to drop (cast) anchor	anchor
to lose sight (of)	to lose sight of, to forget, to lose sight of
to declare war	to declare a war
to give (to get) permission	to allow (get permission)
to play football (chess, cards, etc.)	play football (chess, cards)
to make use (of)	use, apply
to go to school	go to school
go to bed	go/go to bed
to go to market (to court)	go to the market (go to court)
to go to sea	to go to sea (to go to the sea)

to go to camp	go to camp
to go for a walk	go for a walk / go for a walk
to go to the cinema (the theatre)	going to the cinema)
to go to (to return to, to come from) town	come (return) to the city / come from the city
to be in bed	stay (stay) in bed
to be in town	be in the city
to be in prison (hospital, etc. n.)	to be in jail (to be in a hospital)
to be in debt	to be in debt (to be in debt)
to be in time	to get in time
to be in a hurry	hurry
to be in a position	be able to
to be at a loss	be indecisive
to be on board (on deck)	be on board (on deck)
to be on sale	sell
to be in (high) demand	be in a (big) move

circumstantial value:
at night (at sunset to t. n.)	at night (at sunset / at sunset)
at midnight (at noon)	at midnight (noon)
by day	afternoon
by train (tram, bus, boat)	by train (tram, bus, ship)
by air (sea, land)	by plane (by sea, by land)
by post	by mail
by heart	by heart
by chance	by chance
by mistake	by mistake
by name	by name
at table	at the table
at school	at school
in fact	in fact
in conclusion	Finally
at a distance of Ho: in the distance	on distance... away
at a depth of	at a depth...
at a size of	at the rate of...
at a width of	to the width...
at a time when	at a time when...
side by side	side by side
shoulder to shoulder	shoulder to shoulder
hand in hand	hand in hand
arm in arm	hand in hand
day by day	from day to day
day after day	day after day
at home	Houses
at work	at work
at peace (at war)	in the world (at war)
to camp	in the camp
at (after, during) dinner (supper, breakfast)	at (after, during) lunch (dinner, breakfast)
from window to window	from window to window
from head to foot	head to toe (toe)
from word to word	from word to word
from day to day	from day to day, from day to day

In preparing the article, materials were used

Arbekova, T. I. English without errors: Proc. allowance for in-comrade and factor. foreign lang. - M.: Higher. school, 1985. (pp. 134-144)
Barkhudarov, L.S., Shteling D.A. English grammar. - M .: Publishing house of literature in foreign languages, 1960. (p. 47, 57-60, 68-70)
Belyaeva, M.A. English grammar. - M .: State Publishing House "Higher School", 1963. (pp. 29-30)
Verba, L.G., Verba, G.V. Grammar of modern English. - Kyiv: Logos, 2001. (pp. 148-149)
Kozhaeva, M.G., Kozhaeva, O.S. Revision Tables Student's Grammar Guide. Grammar of the English language in tables: textbook. allowance - M.: Flinta: Science, 2010. (p. 11-14)
Mandel, B. R. Modern Russian language: history, theory, practice and culture of speech. Book I. Illustrated textbook. - M.: Direct-Media, 2014 (p. 474)