| Use |
Example |
| Time |
definite article: in the 79905, in (the) summer, in the morning
zero article: in 2008, in June, on Friday, at night |
| People and work |
indefinite article: have a job, work as a...
definite article: the queen, the principal, the president, the French
zero article: become president, go to work, be at work, have work to do, he’s French. |
| Places |
definite article: the Alps, the Atlantic Ocean, the River Thames, the Earth, the Arctic, the USA, the UK, the Cyclades
zero article: Mount Everest, Paris, America, Mars/Ven us/Jupi ter etc, Oxford Street, Lake Superior, Crete |
| Entertainment and sport |
definite article: the media, on the radio, play the guitar, go to the cinema, watch (the) TV
zero article: listen to music, on television, play tennis/football etc |
| Organisations |
definite article: the army, the police, the fire brigade |
| Education |
definite article: go to the school (as a visitor), be in the first year
zero article: go to school ( as a student), be in Class 38, maths |
| Travel |
indefinite article: take a taxi, catch a/the bus
definite article: on the bus
zero article: on foot, go home, go by bus |
| Health |
indefinite article: have a cold/headache/cough
definite article: have (the) flu/measles
zero article: have toothache |
| Public buildings |
definite article: the bank, the tax office, go to the hospital/prison (as a visitor)
zero article: go to hospital/prison/church ( as a patient/prisoner/worshipper) |
