Using English Articles (#12), by Easy English

 

Using English Articles (#12)     Because the English articles (a, an, the) are often very challenging for learners of the language, the next several Hints will provide guidelines on their usage. _____________________________   When Not to Use Articles     There are also situations in which no articles are used: 1.   In general, do not use articles before names of people: not this: but this:   *The Dave Sperling created this website in 1995. Dave Sperling created this website in 1995.       not this: but this:   *The Mary Seurat was a well-known painter. Mary Seurat was a well-known painter.       2.   In general, do not use articles before a title and a name: not this: but this:   *The Professor Schulte will lecture at 11:00 AM. Professor Schulte will lecture at 11:00 AM.       not this: but this:   *The Prince Philip is the husband of the Queen Elizabeth. Prince Philip is the husband of Queen Elizabeth.       3.   In general, do not use articles before one-word names of countries): not this: but this:   *The Oman is a Gulf state. Oman is a Gulf state.       not this: but this:   *The Argentina is located in South America. Argentina is located in South America.       4.   Do not use articles before the names of bodies of water which have Lake or Pond as part of their names: not this: but this:   *The Lake Mweru is partly in Zaire and partly in Zambia. Lake Mweru is partly in Zaire and partly in Zambia.       not this: but this:   *Isn't the Lake Okeechobee in Florida? Isn't Lake Okeechobee in Florida?       not this: but this:   *How long did Thoreau live at the Walden Pond? How long did Thoreau live at Walden Pond?       5.   Do not use articles before the names of mountains or volcanos which have Mt. (Mount) as part of their names: not this: but this:   *The Mt. Hood is visible from Portland, Oregon. Mt. Hood is visible from Portland, Oregon.       not this: but this:   *Pompeii was destroyed when the Mt. Vesuvius erupted. Pompeii was destroyed when Mt. Vesuvius erupted.       6.   In general, do not use articles before the names of educational institutions when the names begin with a proper noun: not this: but this:   *She attended the St. Olaf's College in Minnesota. She attended St. Olaf's College in Minnesota.       not this: but this:   *The Washington University is in St. Louis, Missouri. Washington University is in St. Louis, Missouri.       not this: but this:   *Her son graduated from the Cholla High School. Her son graduated from Cholla High School. Note: There are exceptions to this general rule: The Ohio State University (The usual pattern is without the.) The George Washington University (The usual pattern is without the.) _______________________________________________ Special Notes: 1.   If more than one person has the same name, and if one of these people is well-known, the well-known one might be referred to with the: Is that the Dave Sperling? Is that the Dave Sperling who created "Dave's ESL Cafe on the Web"? Note: When only a name is used, the is emphasized (stressed).       2.   The same is true for titles plus names: He's the grandson of the Dr. Smith. He's the grandson of the Dr. Smith who won a Nobel Prize.       3.   In the past, the was commonly used with the names of a few countries: The Lebanon The Argentine The Ukraine Note: Today, Lebanon and Ukraine are preferred, and Argentina is used instead of The Argentine. _____________________________ Next: more on articles

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