Articles
A / AN (indefinite article) is used
- when you mean "one”
Can I have a hamburger?
I'd like an apple.
- when you say something for the first time
I live in a modern house.
She bought a new car.
BE CAREFUL!
"AN” is used when the word starts with a, e, i, o, u (but the pronunciation is important, too!)
There is AN orange. / There is A bug orange.
It's AN apple. / It's A green apple.
I've got AN idea. / I've got A brilliant idea.
BUT:
This is A universal device for cleaning carpets. juniverzl
THE (definite article) is used
- when you say something for the second time
I bought a new car. And the car is really good.
I live in a modern house. But the house looks awful.
- when there is a clear context (your listeners know what you mean)
Could you open the window? (the window in the room)
I'll wash the car at the weekend. (my car)
NO ARTICLE is used
- when you say something in plural for the first time or you speak in general
I love cats.
She teaches young children.
- when you speak in general about uncountable nouns
I love food.
Health is the most important thing.
YOU HAVE TO remember some phrases:
use no articles
have breakfast, have lunch, have dinner
by car, by bus, by plane, on foot
platform 6, page 35, room 123
at work, at school, at home, in hospital
on TV
Spain, Austria, Australia, etc.
South Street, Baker's Street, Queen Street
use the
in the cinema, in the theatre, in the radio
the United States, the United Kingdom, the People's Republic of China, etc.