Articles are not used in some common fixed expressions. Can you identify them? This grammar exercise tests your ability to use articles correctly.
1. …………….. usually start walking at around one year old.
No article is used when we talk about people or things in general.
2. …………… prices have nearly doubled recently.
We use no article with plural and uncountable nouns to talk about things in general.
3. Do you like ……………..?
No article is used here because we are talking about cats in general.
4. I would like to meet Jumpa Lahiri, ………………
After a noun we can use an identifying expression with ‘the’ to give the impression that the person we are talking about is well-known.
5. Do you know ……………….?
Here the use of the ‘the’ makes it clear that the speaker knows only one Alderson family.
6. My children love ………………. but I like …………
The article ‘the’ is used with a number of expressions referring to our physical environment. Examples are: the sea, the seaside, the hills, the mountains etc.
7. Can I have ……………….. pancake?
We usually use ‘the’ with expressions like first, second, next, last etc.
8. Have you ever heard of ……………… Years’ War?
There was only one Thirty Years’ War, so we use ‘the’ with it.
9. I am …………….. in my family.
We use ‘the’ before superlatives.
10. My brother and his wife live in …………….
We do not normally use articles with place names.
11. Let’s go by ………………
Articles are not used in some common fixed expressions.
12. I am tired. I think I should go to …………
Articles are not used in some common fixed expressions to do with place, time and movement.
Answers
1. Children usually start walking at around one year old.
2. Oil prices have nearly doubled recently.
3. Do you like cats?
4. I would like to meet Jumpa Lahiri, the writer.
5. Do you know the Aldersons.
6. My children love the seaside but I like the hills.
7. Can I have the last pancake?
8. Have you ever heard of the Thirty Years’ War?
9. I am the youngest in my family.
10. My brother and his wife live in London.
11. Let’s go by train.
12. I am tired. I think I should go to bed.
