Blog about English
Frequent learner mistakes involving English articles.
A singular countable noun normally requires a determiner, often a, an, or the.
For example, I bought a book, She opened the door, and He is an engineer.
I bought a book yesterday.
Я купил книгу вчера.
A is required because book is a singular countable noun introduced for the first time.
She opened the door.
Она открыла дверь.
The is required because the door is identifiable from the situation.
He is an engineer.
Он инженер.
An is required before a singular countable profession.
I saw a dog in the park.
Я увидел собаку в парке.
A introduces one non-specific dog.
The dog was wearing a red collar.
На собаке был красный ошейник.
The identifies the dog already introduced; a introduces a new collar.
She wants to become a teacher.
Она хочет стать учителем.
A is required before a singular countable profession.
We rented an apartment downtown.
Мы сняли квартиру в центре.
An is required before the vowel sound in apartment.
The apartment has two bedrooms.
В квартире две спальни.
The identifies the apartment already introduced.
A and an are not normally used directly before uncountable nouns.
For example, information, advice, furniture, and water normally do not take a or an directly.
I need some information.
Мне нужна информация.
Information is uncountable, so it does not take a/an directly.
She gave me some advice.
Она дала мне совет.
Advice is uncountable and normally does not take a/an.
We bought some new furniture.
Мы купили новую мебель.
Furniture is uncountable.
There is water in the bottle.
В бутылке есть вода.
Water is uncountable and does not take a/an directly.
I need a piece of advice.
Мне нужен один совет.
Piece is countable, so a modifies piece rather than the uncountable noun advice.
She gave me a piece of information.
Она сообщила мне одну информацию.
A piece of information is used instead of a information.
We need a new piece of furniture for the living room.
Нам нужен новый предмет мебели для гостиной.
A modifies the countable noun piece.
He ordered a glass of water with his lunch.
Он заказал стакан воды на обед.
A modifies the countable container noun glass.
The is usually not used with plural or uncountable nouns when they refer to things in general.
For example, Dogs are friendly and Water is essential refer to things generally.
Dogs make good pets.
Собаки — хорошие домашние животные.
Dogs refers to dogs generally, so zero article is used.
Coffee contains caffeine.
Кофе содержит кофеин.
Coffee refers to the drink generally and takes zero article.
Computers have changed modern life.
Компьютеры изменили современную жизнь.
Computers refers to the category generally.
Water is essential for life.
Вода необходима для жизни.
Water is uncountable and is used generally.
Children need enough sleep.
Детям нужно достаточно сна.
Children has generic plural meaning.
Technology changes quickly.
Технологии быстро меняются.
Technology is used generally here without the.
Information can spread very quickly online.
Информация может очень быстро распространяться в интернете.
Information is uncountable and general.
Modern cities face serious problems with traffic and housing.
Современные города сталкиваются с серьезными проблемами с транспортом и жильем.
Both plural and uncountable nouns have general meanings.
The is used when the listener or reader can identify the specific person or thing being referred to.
For example, Please close the door refers to a specific door understood from context.
Please close the door.
Пожалуйста, закрой дверь.
The identifies the door that is relevant in the immediate situation.
The keys are on the table.
Ключи на столе.
The refers to specific keys and a specific table identifiable from context.
Where is the bathroom?
Где ванная?
The bathroom refers to the relevant bathroom in the building.
The manager wants to speak with you.
Менеджер хочет с вами поговорить.
The manager is identifiable from the workplace context.
I called the doctor you recommended.
Я позвонил врачу, которого ты рекомендовал.
The relative clause identifies the specific doctor.
The restaurant near our hotel was excellent.
Ресторан возле нашего отеля был превосходным.
The phrase near our hotel identifies one specific restaurant.
The students in this class have an exam tomorrow.
У студентов этого класса завтра экзамен.
The specific phrase in this class identifies which students.
The report that you sent yesterday is missing an important section.
В отчете, который ты отправил вчера, отсутствует важный раздел.
The relative clause identifies the specific report.
A or an is commonly used when introducing a singular countable noun for the first time, while the is often used when referring to it again.
For example, I saw a dog. The dog was very friendly.
I saw a dog. The dog was very friendly.
Я увидел собаку. Собака была очень дружелюбной.
A introduces the dog; the refers back to the same dog.
She bought a book. The book is about history.
Она купила книгу. Книга об истории.
The is used for the second reference.
We found a restaurant. The restaurant was nearly empty.
Мы нашли ресторан. Ресторан был почти пуст.
The restaurant is now identifiable from the first sentence.
A man called me. The man said he was from the bank.
Мне позвонил мужчина. Мужчина сказал, что он из банка.
The refers to the man already introduced.
I rented a car for the weekend. The car was very comfortable.
Я арендовал машину на выходные. Машина была очень удобной.
A introduces the car; the refers back to it.
She found a job in Dallas. The job starts next month.
Она нашла работу в Далласе. Работа начинается в следующем месяце.
The job refers to the previously mentioned position.
We saw a house near the lake. The house had a large backyard.
Мы увидели дом возле озера. У дома был большой задний двор.
The identifies the house already established in the discourse.
A company offered me a position, and the position would require me to move to Seattle.
Компания предложила мне должность, и эта должность потребовала бы от меня переезда в Сиэтл.
The signals later reference to the previously introduced position.
The is commonly used with nouns referring to unique or contextually unique things.
For example, the sun, the moon, the Earth, and the internet.
The sun is setting.
Солнце садится.
The sun is naturally unique.
The moon looks bright tonight.
Сегодня вечером луна выглядит яркой.
The moon is treated as unique in ordinary usage.
The Earth moves around the sun.
Земля движется вокруг Солнца.
The Earth and the sun are treated as unique celestial bodies.
The internet has changed how people communicate.
Интернет изменил то, как люди общаются.
The internet refers to the globally recognized system.
The sky was completely clear yesterday.
Вчера небо было совершенно ясным.
The sky is uniquely understood in the situation.
The universe contains billions of galaxies.
Вселенная содержит миллиарды галактик.
The universe refers to the unique totality of space and matter.
The world is becoming more connected.
Мир становится все более взаимосвязанным.
The world can refer to the world as a whole.
The environment around the lake has changed significantly.
Окружающая среда вокруг озера значительно изменилась.
The environment refers to the identifiable natural surroundings.
Geographical names take different article patterns depending on whether they are names of countries, rivers, seas, mountain ranges, or other geographical features.
For example, France, the United States, the Nile, and the Alps.
France is in Europe.
Франция находится в Европе.
Most country names take zero article.
The United States is in North America.
Соединенные Штаты находятся в Северной Америке.
The is part of the conventional name United States.
The Mississippi River flows through several states.
Река Миссисипи протекает через несколько штатов.
River names normally take the.
The Alps attract millions of visitors every year.
Альпы привлекают миллионы посетителей каждый год.
Mountain range names take the.
Lake Michigan is one of the Great Lakes.
Озеро Мичиган — одно из Великих озер.
Individual lake names normally take no article.
Denver is in Colorado.
Денвер находится в Колорадо.
City and state names normally take no article.
The Bahamas are a popular destination for American travelers.
Багамы — популярное направление для американских путешественников.
The is conventional with the plural island-group name Bahamas.
The Pacific Ocean separates many countries on opposite sides of the ocean.
Тихий океан разделяет многие страны по разные стороны океана.
Ocean names take the.
Some institutional names take the, while others are normally used without an article.
For example, the United Nations, the European Union, and Oxford University.
The United Nations has its headquarters in New York City.
Организация Объединенных Наций имеет штаб-квартиру в Нью-Йорке.
The is part of the organization name.
The European Union has member states across Europe.
Европейский союз объединяет государства по всей Европе.
The is used with the official name.
She studies at Harvard University.
Она учится в Гарвардском университете.
Harvard University is a proper institutional name without an article before the name.
We visited the University of Chicago.
Мы посетили Чикагский университет.
The is used with names of institutions containing University of...
The Federal Reserve announced a change in interest rates.
Федеральная резервная система объявила об изменении процентных ставок.
The is used with the conventional institutional name Federal Reserve.
The Department of Education released new guidelines.
Министерство образования опубликовало новые рекомендации.
The is used with the official department name.
She works for Apple.
Она работает в Apple.
Many company names are used without an article.
The company works with several federal agencies.
Компания работает с несколькими федеральными учреждениями.
The company is a common noun phrase, not part of a proper name.
Names of meals are often used without an article when referring to meals in a general or routine sense.
For example, We had breakfast at eight. An article may appear when a specific meal is being referred to.
We had breakfast at eight.
Мы позавтракали в восемь.
Breakfast is used without an article in the routine/general sense.
I usually eat lunch at work.
Обычно я обедаю на работе.
Lunch takes zero article when referring to the meal generally.
We have dinner around six.
Мы ужинаем около шести.
Dinner is used without an article in a routine context.
The breakfast at the hotel was excellent.
Завтрак в отеле был превосходным.
The identifies a particular breakfast.
We had a late dinner after the concert.
Мы поздно поужинали после концерта.
A refers to one particular meal.
The lunch we ordered arrived twenty minutes late.
Обед, который мы заказали, доставили на двадцать минут позже.
The relative clause makes lunch specific.
She skipped breakfast because she was late for work.
Она пропустила завтрак, потому что опаздывала на работу.
Breakfast is used in a general routine sense.
The dinner served at the wedding was the best meal of the evening.
Ужин, поданный на свадьбе, был лучшей едой за весь вечер.
The identifies a specific meal.
Names of languages and many academic subjects normally appear without an article.
For example, I speak English and She studies mathematics.
I speak English.
Я говорю по-английски.
English is a language name and takes no article.
She studies mathematics.
Она изучает математику.
Mathematics is an academic subject and takes no article.
He is learning Spanish.
Он учит испанский язык.
Spanish is used without an article.
Biology was my favorite subject in high school.
Биология была моим любимым предметом в старшей школе.
Biology is used without an article as a subject name.
The English language is spoken in many countries.
Английский язык распространен во многих странах.
The appears because English modifies the noun language.
The history we studied this semester focused on ancient Rome.
История, которую мы изучали в этом семестре, была посвящена Древнему Риму.
The makes history specific by the relative clause.
She is taking a difficult English course.
Она изучает сложный курс английского языка.
A modifies the countable noun course.
The economics of the new policy are being debated in Congress.
Экономические последствия новой политики обсуждаются в Конгрессе.
The makes economics specific by the of-phrase.
Transport expressions can use different article patterns depending on whether the noun refers to a means of transport generally or a specific service or vehicle.
For example, by bus, by train, but the bus and the train when a specific vehicle or service is meant.
I usually go to work by bus.
Обычно я езжу на работу на автобусе.
By bus describes the means of transport generally.
We traveled by train.
Мы ехали поездом.
By train takes zero article.
We caught the train at eight.
Мы сели на поезд в восемь.
The train refers to a specific scheduled train.
She took a taxi to the airport.
Она взяла такси до аэропорта.
A taxi introduces one particular but unidentified vehicle.
She took the taxi that was waiting outside.
Она села в такси, которое ждало снаружи.
The taxi is specific because of the relative clause.
We arrived on foot.
Мы пришли пешком.
On foot is a fixed transport expression.
The passengers boarded the plane at noon.
Пассажиры сели в самолет в полдень.
The plane refers to a specific aircraft.
Most visitors came by car, but the car we rented was too small for our luggage.
Большинство посетителей приехали на машинах, но машина, которую мы арендовали, была слишком маленькой для нашего багажа.
By car gives the general means; the car identifies a particular vehicle.
A singular countable noun identifying a person's job or profession normally requires a or an after be.
For example, She is a doctor and He is an engineer.
She is a doctor.
Она врач.
A is required with a singular countable profession after be.
He is an engineer.
Он инженер.
An is required because engineer begins with a vowel sound.
My sister is a teacher.
Моя сестра учительница.
A is required before the singular profession teacher.
Her husband is an architect.
Ее муж архитектор.
An is required before architect.
I want to be a pilot.
Я хочу быть пилотом.
A is required with the singular countable job pilot.
He became a manager last year.
В прошлом году он стал менеджером.
A is used with the singular countable position manager.
She works as an analyst for a tech company in Austin.
Она работает аналитиком в технологической компании в Остине.
An is used because analyst begins with a vowel sound.
After several internships, he became an engineer at a manufacturing company.
После нескольких стажировок он стал инженером в производственной компании.
An is required with the singular countable profession engineer.
A or an depends on the pronunciation of the following word or abbreviation rather than its written first letter.
For example, a university but an hour, a URL but an MBA.
She studies at a university in Texas.
Она учится в университете в Техасе.
A is used because university begins with the consonant sound /j/.
He waited for an hour.
Он ждал час.
An is used because hour begins with a vowel sound.
I found a URL for the website.
Я нашел URL-адрес сайта.
A URL is pronounced with an initial /j/ sound (“you...”).
She has an MBA from a university in Chicago.
У нее степень MBA, полученная в университете Чикаго.
An MBA is pronounced beginning with the vowel sound /em/.
He spoke to a U.S. senator about the issue.
Он поговорил с сенатором США об этом вопросе.
U.S. begins with the sound /juː/, so a is used.
She made an FBI complaint.
Она подала жалобу в ФБР.
FBI begins with the vowel sound /ef/, so an is used.
He sent an HTML file to the developer.
Он отправил HTML-файл разработчику.
HTML begins with the vowel sound /eɪtʃ/.
She works for an NGO that provides housing assistance.
Она работает в НПО, которая помогает с жильем.
NGO is commonly pronounced with an initial vowel sound /en/.
Choose a or an according to the initial sound of the following word.
For example, a European country, an honest person, and an unusual idea.
She is a European citizen.
Она европейская гражданка.
European begins with the consonant sound /j/, so a is used.
He is an honest person.
Он честный человек.
The h in honest is silent, so the word begins with a vowel sound.
It was an unusual idea.
Это была необычная идея.
Unusual begins with a vowel sound.
She wants to buy a used car.
Она хочет купить подержанную машину.
Used begins with /j/ in this adjective, so a is used.
He waited for an hour.
Он ждал час.
Hour begins with a vowel sound because h is silent.
She gave an honest answer.
Она дала честный ответ.
Honest begins with a vowel sound.
We met a university professor at the conference.
Мы встретили профессора университета на конференции.
University begins with /j/, so a is correct.
She had an amazing opportunity to study abroad.
У нее была потрясающая возможность учиться за границей.
Amazing begins with a vowel sound.
The should not replace a or an when a singular countable noun is introduced without being identified as specific.
For example, I saw a man in the street rather than I saw the man when no specific man has been established.
I saw a man in the street.
Я увидел мужчину на улице.
A is correct because the man has not been identified yet.
She bought a new phone yesterday.
Она купила новый телефон вчера.
A introduces one non-specific phone.
We need a doctor.
Нам нужен врач.
A is appropriate because no specific doctor has been identified.
He wants to rent an apartment.
Он хочет снять квартиру.
An introduces one apartment without specifying which one.
I saw a restaurant across the street.
Я увидел ресторан через дорогу.
A is used because the restaurant is newly introduced.
The restaurant across the street is closed today.
Ресторан через дорогу сегодня закрыт.
The becomes appropriate once the restaurant is identifiable.
She is looking for a job in marketing.
Она ищет работу в сфере маркетинга.
A job refers to one non-specific employment opportunity.
I spoke to a manager, but I do not know his name.
Я поговорил с менеджером, но не знаю его имени.
A is correct because the manager is not uniquely identified for the listener.
The is normally required when a singular or plural noun refers to a specific entity that can be identified from context.
For example, Please pass me the salt and The students in this class are ready.
Please pass me the salt.
Передай мне соль.
The salt refers to the specific salt available in the situation.
The students in this class are ready.
Студенты этого класса готовы.
The phrase in this class identifies the specific students.
Please open the window.
Пожалуйста, открой окно.
The listener can identify which window is meant.
I called the doctor you recommended.
Я позвонил врачу, которого ты рекомендовал.
The relative clause makes the doctor specific.
The report on your desk is finished.
Отчет на твоем столе готов.
On your desk identifies the specific report.
The people waiting outside are my coworkers.
Люди, которые ждут снаружи, — мои коллеги.
The participial phrase identifies the specific group.
The information in this email is incorrect.
Информация в этом письме неверна.
The is needed because the phrase in this email identifies specific information.
The employees who completed the training will receive certificates.
Сотрудники, которые завершили обучение, получат сертификаты.
The identifies a particular subset of employees.
Plural countable nouns used to describe a whole class or category generally do not require the.
For example, Cats are independent and Computers have changed modern life.
Cats are independent animals.
Кошки — независимые животные.
Cats refers to cats in general.
Computers have changed modern life.
Компьютеры изменили современную жизнь.
Computers has generic meaning, so no article is used.
Teachers need patience.
Учителям нужно терпение.
Teachers refers to teachers generally.
Cars are expensive to maintain.
Машины дорого обслуживать.
Cars refers to cars as a category.
Children learn languages quickly.
Дети быстро учат языки.
Children has generic plural meaning.
Students often use computers for research.
Студенты часто используют компьютеры для исследований.
Students and computers are both generic plural nouns.
American cities face growing traffic problems.
Американские города сталкиваются с растущими транспортными проблемами.
American cities refers to the category generally.
Dogs are loyal, but the dogs in our backyard are especially friendly.
Собаки преданные, но собаки в нашем дворе особенно дружелюбны.
The first noun is generic plural; the second is specific because of the modifier.
Uncountable nouns referring to substances, concepts, or activities in general usually do not take the.
For example, Love is important and Coffee contains caffeine.
Love is important in a healthy relationship.
Любовь важна в здоровых отношениях.
Love is an abstract uncountable noun used generally.
Coffee contains caffeine.
Кофе содержит кофеин.
Coffee refers to the drink generally.
Water is essential for life.
Вода необходима для жизни.
Water is used generally with zero article.
Information is easy to share online.
Информацией легко делиться в интернете.
Information is uncountable and general.
Music can change your mood.
Музыка может изменить ваше настроение.
Music refers to music generally.
Education is important for economic growth.
Образование важно для экономического роста.
Education is an uncountable concept used generally.
Technology changes quickly.
Технологии быстро меняются.
Technology is used as a general uncountable concept.
The water in this bottle is cold, but water is essential for life.
Вода в этой бутылке холодная, но вода необходима для жизни.
The water is specific; water in the second clause is general.
Some fixed expressions require or omit articles according to established usage rather than a simple general rule.
For example, at home, at school, in bed, on the other hand, and in the morning.
I am at home today.
Я сегодня дома.
At home is a fixed expression with zero article.
The kids are at school.
Дети в школе.
At school uses zero article for the normal educational activity.
She is in bed already.
Она уже в постели.
In bed means resting or sleeping.
We went for a walk in the morning.
Мы пошли гулять утром.
In the morning is a fixed expression requiring the.
On the other hand, the plan is cheaper.
С другой стороны, этот план дешевле.
On the other hand is a fixed expression with the.
She arrived at the end of the meeting.
Она приехала в конце собрания.
At the end is a fixed expression with the.
He did it by mistake.
Он сделал это по ошибке.
By mistake is a fixed expression with zero article.
In general, the policy is effective.
В целом политика эффективна.
In general is a fixed prepositional expression with zero article.
The is used for specific reference, while zero article is often used for general reference or certain fixed expressions.
Compare Children need sleep with The children in this room need sleep.
Children need sleep.
Детям нужен сон.
Children is generic plural, so zero article is used.
The children in this room need sleep.
Детям в этой комнате нужен сон.
The makes the reference specific by identifying the children.
Coffee is expensive in some cities.
В некоторых городах кофе дорогой.
Coffee is general and uncountable.
The coffee on the table is mine.
Кофе на столе — мое.
The phrase on the table identifies specific coffee.
Dogs are loyal animals.
Собаки — преданные животные.
Dogs refers to dogs generally.
The dogs in our backyard are barking.
Собаки в нашем дворе лают.
The makes the plural noun specific.
Music helps me relax.
Музыка помогает мне расслабиться.
Music is general and takes zero article.
The music from the next room is too loud.
Музыка из соседней комнаты слишком громкая.
The makes music specific through the phrase from the next room.
Proper names generally do not take an article unless the name belongs to a category that conventionally uses one.
For example, Japan, London, and Mount Everest normally occur without an article, while the Netherlands and the United States take the.
I live in Japan.
Я живу в Японии.
Japan normally takes no article.
She works in London.
Она работает в Лондоне.
Most city names take no article.
Mount Everest is the highest mountain above sea level.
Эверест — самая высокая гора над уровнем моря.
Individual mountain names normally take no article.
The Netherlands is famous for its canals.
Нидерланды известны своими каналами.
The is conventional with Netherlands.
The United States has fifty states.
В Соединенных Штатах пятьдесят штатов.
The is part of the conventional name United States.
Paris is one of the most visited cities in Europe.
Париж — один из самых посещаемых городов Европы.
Paris takes no article as a city name.
The Alps attract visitors throughout the year.
Альпы привлекают посетителей круглый год.
The is used with a mountain range.
Lake Superior is larger than Lake Tahoe.
Озеро Верхнее больше озера Тахо.
Individual lake names normally take zero article.
Article choice with place names depends on the conventional naming pattern and whether the place is understood as a specific institution, building, or geographical feature.
For example, go to school but visit the school, and be in hospital in some British usage versus be in the hospital in common American usage.
The students go to school every day.
Ученики ходят в школу каждый день.
Go to school refers to education and uses zero article.
The parents went to the school for a meeting.
Родители пошли в школу на собрание.
The school refers to the physical building or specific institution.
She is in the hospital after surgery.
Она находится в больнице после операции.
American English normally uses the hospital for patients as well as visitors.
He is in college in Texas.
Он учится в колледже в Техасе.
American English commonly uses in college when referring to studying there.
We visited the college during an open house.
Мы посетили колледж во время дня открытых дверей.
The college refers to a specific institution or campus.
He went to bed early.
Он рано лег спать.
Go to bed has zero article when it means sleep or rest.
He sat on the bed to put on his shoes.
Он сел на кровать, чтобы надеть обувь.
The bed refers to the physical piece of furniture.
She went to the hospital to visit her mother.
Она пошла в больницу навестить мать.
The hospital refers to the specific medical institution being visited.
Article usage in fixed expressions should be learned as part of the expression rather than inferred mechanically.
Examples include by mistake, on purpose, in fact, at the end, and in general.
He did it by mistake.
Он сделал это по ошибке.
By mistake is learned as a fixed expression.
She did it on purpose.
Она сделала это нарочно.
On purpose is a fixed expression with zero article.
In fact, I already knew about it.
На самом деле я уже знал об этом.
In fact is a fixed expression.
We met at the end of the day.
Мы встретились в конце дня.
At the end requires the.
In general, the plan is effective.
В целом план эффективен.
In general is a fixed phrase.
By the way, I sent you the file.
Кстати, я отправил тебе файл.
By the way requires the.
She arrived in the morning.
Она приехала утром.
In the morning requires the.
They solved the problem in advance.
Они решили проблему заранее.
In advance is a fixed expression with zero article.
Choose a, an, the, or zero article according to countability, specificity, reference, sound, proper-name conventions, and fixed expression usage.
Common learner problems include omitting required articles with singular countable nouns, adding the to general plural or uncountable nouns, confusing a with an, and transferring article patterns from other languages.
I bought a book, and the book was very interesting.
Я купил книгу, и книга была очень интересной.
The example combines first mention with later specific reference.
Dogs are friendly, but the dogs next door are very loud.
Собаки дружелюбны, но соседские собаки очень шумные.
Zero article gives a generic meaning; the makes the second noun phrase specific.
She is an engineer, but her brother is a teacher.
Она инженер, а ее брат учитель.
Singular countable professions require a/an after be.
He waited for an hour at a university in Chicago.
Он ждал час в университете в Чикаго.
An depends on the sound in hour; a depends on the /j/ sound in university.
I speak English, and she studies mathematics.
Я говорю по-английски, а она изучает математику.
Language and subject names normally take zero article.
We traveled by train, but the train was delayed.
Мы ехали поездом, но поезд задержали.
By train gives the general means; the train identifies a specific service.
The United States is in North America, while Canada is north of it.
Соединенные Штаты находятся в Северной Америке, а Канада — к северу от них.
Country names follow conventional article patterns.
In the morning, I go to work by bus and arrive at the office around eight.
Утром я езжу на работу на автобусе и приезжаю в офис около восьми.
The sentence combines several fixed article patterns: in the morning, by bus, at work/go to work, and the office.