What is an article? Basically, an article is an adjective. Like adjectives, articles modify nouns. English has two articles: the and a/an. The is used to refer to specific or particular nouns; a/an is used to modify non-specific or non-particular nouns. We call the the definite article and a/an the indefinite article.
Using articles is one of the most challenging aspects of the English language to a non-native speaker. On the one hand, the rules are very simple and on the other hand, there are a lot of exceptions. If you acquire both the rules and the exceptions others will recognize you as a competent speaker of English.
The use of A/AN article is quite simple in theory. It is used before unspecified singular countable nouns – I work in a bank. (an is used when words start with a vowel – Can I have an apple); before professions – He is a manager. Generally, a/an is used the first time you speak of something – They live in a house. The next time you repeat it, use the – The house is in Samobor.
Let’s recall when to use Ø article:
Cities, towns, villages: Zagreb, Dubrovnik, Brdovec.
Roads, streets, squares: Cotton Road, Iločka Street, Trafalgar Square.
Countries, continents, lakes, mountains: Croatia, Europe, Jarun Lake, Medvednica.
Airports: Pleso.
Religious, educational and official buildings: St Stephen’s (cathedral), Zagreb University.
Fixed expressions: go to bed, go to school, be at work, to be in hospital.
Meals, transport: have breakfast, travel by car.
Let’s recall when to use the THE article:
Before specified singular and plural nouns.
Place name as an of phrase: the city of Zagreb, the island of Hvar.
Place name when with adjective: the Open University.
Countries, mountains in plural form: the Netherlands, the Alps.
Oceans, seas, rivers: the Pacific ocean, the Adriatic sea, the Drava.
Hotels, famous buildings, cinemas: the Esplanade Hotel, the Cibona Tower, the Europe.
