EXCEPTIONS TO USING THE DEFINITE ARTICLE
There is no article:
- with names of countries (if singular)
Germany is an important economic power.
He's just returned from Zimbabwe .
( But: I'm visiting the United States next week.)
- with the names of languages
French is spoken in Tahiti.
English uses many words of Latin origin.
Indonesian is a relatively new languageTranslate.
- with the names of meals .
Lunch is at midday.
Dinner is in the evening.
Breakfast is the first meal of the day.
- with people's names (if singular):
John ' s coming to the party.
George King is my uncle.
( But: we're having lunch with the Morgans tomorrow.)
- with titles and names :
Prince Charles is Queen Elizabeth's son.
President Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas.
Dr. Watson was Sherlock Holmes' friend.
( But: the Queen of England, the Pope . )
- After the 's possessive case:
His brother's car .
Peter's house .
- with professions :
Engineering is a useful career.
He'll probably go into medicine .
- with names of shops :
I'll get the card at Smith's .
Can you go to Boots for me?
- with years :
1948 was a wonderful year.
Do you remember 1995 ?
- With uncountable nouns:
Rice is the main food in Asia.
Milk is often added to tea in England.
War is destructive.
- with the names of individual mountains, lakes and islands :
Mount McKinley is the highest mountain in Alaska.
She lives near Lake Windermere .
Have you visited Long Island ?
- with most names of towns, streets, stations and airports :
Victoria Station is in the centre of London.
Can you direct me to Bond Street?
She lives in Florence.
They're flying from Heathrow.
- in some fixed expressions , for example:
- by car
- by train
- by air
- on foot
- on holiday
- on air (in broadcasting)
- at school
- at work
- at University
- in church
- in prison
- in bed