Use: first time you mention something:
I saw a man in the street.... The man told me....
Plural forms: some- affirmative/ offers ( in questions)
any- negative/ questions with uncertain answer
In affirmative: some: algo/ algun any: cualquiera
In questions: Do you need something? I hope the answer is yes
Do you need anything? I don´t know if the answer will be yes or no.
...............................................
Definite article: THE
something mentioned before.
Something specific: The food that my mom cooks (not any food)
The history of the USA (not history in general)
It´s also used for
- natural accidents: oceans, rivers, mountains,etc. the Mississsipi river, The Andes mountains.
- Nationalities: the Japanese are very polite people.
- When there´s only one of that type: The Earth, the Moon, the Sun
- Musica instruments: I play the piano, the guitar.
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Zero article.
When we refer to something abstract or in general.
- for most countries, except it is part of the name: the USA, the Netherlands
- subjects: I studied History, I must do Maths.
- Sports, games, illensses. I play football/ cards/ I have toothache
- Most expressions of time, date/ season. In summer/ at 8/ on Monday
- Fixed expressions: at home/ school in hospital
go to bed/ work
in bed/
Have breakfast/lunch/ dinner
- Means of transport: on foot/ by car/boat/plane.
Now you can practise
http://a4esl.org/q/h/mc001-ck.html " 10 questions: a, an, the or nothing
http://a4esl.org/q/h/mc008-ld.html " 10 more
http://a4esl.org/q/h/fb-lb-aanon.html " 10 more
http://a4esl.org/q/h/vm/fampeople.html " 15 more
http://a4esl.org/q/h/9901/cw-articles.html " 16 more (this is the most difficult)
