There are three types of articles in English. The definite article (the), the indefinite article (a or an) and the zero article (when we don't use a, an or the). Here are some of the rules about when we use each of them:
The indefinite article (a or an)
To refer to something (that is singular and countable) for the first time in a conversation or piece of text: She's got a dog and a cat. Do you want to see a film tonight? With job titles, professions or to explain what people do: She's an artist. Alice is a nurse. Helen's a student. He's a house-husband.
Note: He's an unemployed. (incorrect) He's unemployed. (correct)
With expressions of quantity: a pair of, a few, a little, a piece of, a bit of, a hundred, a thousand, a million, an hour, a day, a week
The definite article (the)
To refer to something (that is singular or plural, countable or uncountable) when both the writer and reader, or speaker and listener, know which thing is being referred to: She's got a dog and a cat. The dog is friendly but the cat always scratches me. Do you want to see a film tonight? Yes, let's see the new Harry Potter one. With rivers, seas and mountain ranges: the Thames , the Atlantic , the Alps Where there is only one of these things or people: the White House, the moon, the UN, the EU, the president With superlative adjectives: She's the best in the class at English. They're the fastest team in the race.
The zero article (when we don't use any article)
To refer to something (that is plural or uncountable) when talking about things in general: France makes very good cheese. She hates that kind of music. That shop sells fantastic cakes, sweets and chocolates. With streets, cites, countries, mountains: Fifth Avenue, Beijing, India, Mount Fuji With some places and some modes of transport: to/in bed, at home, to/at work, at/to school/college/university, by bus/train/car, on foot
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