Page 55 - New Grammar with a Smile 8

2. before plural countable nouns or before uncountable nouns when referring to them
in general. For example,
• Children are innocent. (Children in general)

BUT: The children we met are innocent. (the particular children we met)

3. before names of most countries (India, Bangladesh, France), cities (London,
Kolkata, Lyon), continents (Africa, Europe), mountains (Mt Everest, Mount K2),
roads and streets (Lake Road, Garden View Road), parks (Nehru Park), colonies
and places (Park Circus), and lakes. (Lake Michigan, Chilka Lake)

4. before names of games (ludo, chess), sports (cricket, football), subjects (Hindi,
Geography), meals (dinner), and languages (Tamil, Malayalam); but when we add
‘language’, we say the Malayalam language.

5. before the words ‘bed’, ‘hospital’, ‘home’, ‘prison’, ‘church’, ‘school’, ‘university’,
‘college’, and ‘work’, when we talk about them vis-à-vis the very purpose they are
meant for. For example,
• Sushant is in hospital.
BUT: Sushant has gone to check out the hospital. (the premises of the hospital)

6. when we use a phrase like ‘watch television’. For example,

• We will all now watch television.
BUT: Switch off the television. (the specific television set that is running)
• I am listening to music.

BUT: I love the music you gifted me on my birthday. (the specific music gifted)

7. when we refer to a species of animals in general. For example,
• Ostriches are the biggest birds.
BUT: The ostrich is the biggest bird.

8. before certain illnesses. For example,
• I am suffering from appendicitis.

BUT: I have a cold.
Note
9. before the names of festivals. For example, Not using an article
• I am not in town on Diwali this year. is the same as using
BUT: I have a holiday on Easter. a zero article.

A. Fill in the blanks with a/an/the or the zero article.

A: I’m chemist. I work for pharmaceutical company in

Bhatinda. The company produces medicines for common

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