GV

Articles: Special Cases

Tricky article usage: school vs the school, in hospital, play the piano

intermediate

When to Use Articles: Special Cases

  • •Institutions (purpose vs building): go to school (study) vs go to the school (building).
  • •Instruments: play the piano, play the guitar (always 'the').
  • •Meals: have breakfast/lunch/dinner (no article usually).
  • •Bed/work/home: go to bed, go to work, go home (no article).
  • •Next/last + time: next week, last year (no article).

How to Form Articles: Special Cases

Affirmative (+)

Context determines article usage

Negative (-)

Same rules apply

Question (?)

Same rules apply

💡 British: in hospital. American: in the hospital. Both: at school, at work.

Examples of Articles: Special Cases

✓She plays the violin.

✗She plays violin.

Musical instruments take 'the'.

✓He's in hospital. (British)

✗He's in the hospital. (British)

British English: no article for purpose.

✓I had breakfast at 8.

✗I had the breakfast at 8.

Meals usually don't take articles.

Common Mistakes with Articles: Special Cases

💡 Practice Tips for Articles: Special Cases

  • • Instruments: always 'the' (the piano, the drums).
  • • Meals: usually no article (have lunch).
  • • Bed/work/home: no article for usual purpose.
  • • Institutions: no article for purpose; 'the' for building.
Quick Quiz
  1. 1.She plays   violin in the school orchestra.
  2. 2.I usually go to   at 10 p.m.
  3. 3.We're meeting again   week.
  4. Question 4: I had blank (breakfast) at 8 this morning.
    4.I had (breakfast) at 8 this morning.
  5. Question 5: He's been in blank (hospital) since the accident. (British English)
    5.He's been in (hospital) since the accident. (British English)
  6. Question 6: Can you teach me to play blank guitar?
    6.Can you teach me to play guitar?
  7. Question 7: Don't say 'go to the work'. The correct form is: I go to blank at 9.
    7.Don't say 'go to the work'. The correct form is: I go to at 9.
  8. Question 8: Do you play blank piano?
    8.Do you play piano?
  9. Question 9: She isn't at blank school today; she's sick. (purpose, not building)
    9.She isn't at school today; she's sick. (purpose, not building)
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