Teaching English through e-learning

Definite and zero articles:

Use   the definite article (the):

• When referring to something that is already known to the listener because it has been mentioned before.

So I showed the photos to the police. ( I´ve mentioned these photos before.)

• When referring to something that is already known to the listener because it is obvious from the context.

I forgot to give the cat her supper. ( It is obvious I´m talking about my cat).

• When something is unique (including superlatives and first, last, next, only).

She is the greatest sportswoman.

• when a defining or prepositional phrase makes the noun specific.

It´s the house at the top of the  street.

• Before the names of some  geographical features, building and places.

I live in the countryside, not the town.

Use the zero article (no article):

• Before  abstract  nouns.

You  can´t stop time.

• Before   general plural nouns.

Computers are very powerful   now.

! But if the abstract or plural noun is made specific by a defining phrase we use an article.

The computer we´ve just bought are fantastic.

• Before people´s names and the names of most companies, materials, countries, mountains and lakes.

Alexandra lives in Italy. She lives near Lake Como. She works for Deutsche Bank.

• Before the names of types of  institutions, for example  school, hospital, university.

My brother is about to start school.

! But if we are referring to a particular building we use the  definite  article.

Excuse me. Is the school near here?