10 Mistakes You Might Be Making With 'English Articles':
When learning English, it can sometimes be tricky deciding when, where, and how to use the article ‘the’. In this post, show to us some common mistakes and how to fix them.
If you are learning English as a second (or third, or fourth) language, there’s a good chance that you think ‘articles’ are a pain in the neck, regardless of your native language. As an English teacher, I have noticed that it can be particularly confusing to determine when to use the ‘definite article’ “the” and when to omit the article, especially when the rules seem a bit arbitrary.
Check out the 10 Sentences below and see if you can spot the mistakes before you read the correction and explanation.
Country Names
INCORRECT: Jawed is going to U.K. this summer.
CORRECT: Jawed is going to ‘the’ U.K. this summer.
Normally we don’t use “the” before the names of countries unless that name represents a collection of places. Examples: the United States, the Europeans, the United Arab Emirates, etc.
Languages
INCORRECT: That is one of the best books in English language.
CORRECT: That is one of the best books in ‘the’ English language.
We don’t use “the” before the names of languages, when they are used as Nouns. However, in this case “English” is an Adjective telling us which specific language, so we do need the definite article.
Types of Water
INCORRECT: St. Lawrence River flows from the Lake Ontario to Atlantic Ocean.
CORRECT: ‘The’ St. Lawrence River flows from (no article) Lake Ontario to the Atlantic Ocean.
Here’s a tricky one: Do use “the” for the names of rivers and oceans, but not for lakes.
Note: Unless it’s a collection, like the Great Lakes.
Academics and Sports
INCORRECT: The Chemistry is Karan’s favorite subject, and the Cricket is his favorite sport.
CORRECT: (No article) Chemistry is Karan’s favorite subject, and (no article) Cricket is his favorite sport.
Shouldn’t use “the” before ‘academic subjects’ or ‘sports’.
Geography
INCORRECT: Would you rather be stuck in the Antarctica or Sahara Desert?
CORRECT: Would you rather be stuck in (no article) Antarctica or ‘the’ Sahara Desert?
Don’t use “the” with continents, but do use “the” with deserts, forests, geographical areas, and points on the globe.
Musical Instruments
INCORRECT: Do you play Piano?
CORRECT: Do you play ‘the’ Piano?
We should use “the” before musical instruments.
Common Places
INCORRECT: Maria can’t answer her cell phone right now because she’s in the class.
CORRECT: Maria can’t answer her cell phone right now because she’s in (no article) class.
Don’t use an article before common expressions of place such as “home”, “work”, “school”, “bed”, “class”, “jail”, and “prison”.
Products and Holidays
INCORRECT: The Microsoft will be introducing several new products around several on the Eid holidays.
CORRECT: (No article) Microsoft will be introducing several new products around several on (no article) Eid holidays.
Don’t use “the” before the names of companies and holidays used as Nouns.
Day-to-day and a Special Occasions
INCORRECT: We will help you make of today’s the dinner.
CORRECT: We will help you make of today’s (no article) dinner.
Don’t use “the” before “breakfast”, “lunch”, or “dinner” when talking about everyday meals. You can use “the” when referring to a specific event.
Example: The reception begins at 7 p.m. ‘the’ dinner will be at 8 p.m., and ‘the’ dance will begin at 9 p.m.
Generalizations
INCORRECT: Listening to the music is very relaxing.
CORRECT: Listening to (no article) music is very relaxing.
Don’t use “the” with a no count or plural count Noun, when you are making a generalization.
Good Luck !!
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