Articles are not used in some common fixed expressions. Can you use them correctly? Take a moment to do this exercise.
Fill in the blanks.
1He died ...............
Wrong!
The fixed expression for being on the ocean is "at sea".
2I met some interesting people at ...............
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
Both "university" and "the university" are possible, with different meanings.
3He left ............... in the morning and never came back.
Wrong!
Use "home" with no article when it means the place where someone lives.
4I regret leaving ............... at fourteen.
Wrong!
Use "school" with no article when referring generally to education.
5I will meet you at ...............
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
Both are possible, with different meanings: "at college" means while we are there as students, and "at the college" refers to the building as a meeting place.
6I was surprised at the amount of ............... collected.
Wrong!
Use the uncountable noun "money" with no article after "the amount of" in this general meaning.
7He went to ............... in Cambridge.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
Both are possible, with different meanings: "went to college" means he studied there as a student, and "went to a college in Cambridge" means one particular college that is not named.
8It is time the children went to ...............
Wrong!
The fixed expression is "go to bed".
9I didn't feel like getting out of ...............
Wrong!
The fixed expression is "get out of bed".
10He is collecting money for ...............
Wrong!
Use "the blind" to mean blind people as a group.
11............... criminals are non-violent.
Wrong!
Use "Most" to mean the majority of a group.
12He could play ............... when he was just five.
Wrong!
Use "the piano" when talking about the ability to play that instrument.
Answers
- He died at sea.
- I met some interesting people at university / the university.
- He left home in the morning and never came back.
- I regret leaving school at fourteen.
- I will meet you at college / the college.
- I was surprised at the amount of money collected.
- He went to college / a college in Cambridge.
- It is time the children went to bed.
- I didn’t feel like getting out of bed.
- He is collecting money for the blind.
- Most criminals are non-violent.
- He could play the piano when he was just five.