Articles — Advanced

Reference

Common mistakes

1. The life is unpredictable. → Life is unpredictable.
   abstract general → no article
2. I learned the economics at university. → I learned economics at university.
   field of study → no article
3. She went home by the foot. → She went home on foot.
   fixed phrase — no article
4. I know it by the heart. → I know it by heart.
   fixed phrase — no article

Articles — Advanced — Exercises

Choose a, an, the or —

Circle the correct answer.

1. _____ honesty is the best policy. (— / The / An)
2. _____ honesty she showed was remarkable. (The / — / An)
3. She studies _____ economics at university. (— / the / an)
4. _____ dog is descended from the wolf. (The / A / —)
5. He learned the poem by _____ heart. (— / the / a)
6. We went home on _____ foot. (— / the / a)
7. _____ beauty of this place stays with you. (The / — / A)
8. She broke the vase by _____ accident. (— / an / the)

Complete the sentence

Write a, an, the or — (no article).

1.   time we spent together was wonderful.
2.   knowledge is power.
3. They walked hand in  .
4.   elephant never forgets, they say.
5. I met her by   chance at the airport.
6. She is in   love with Paris.

Articles — Advanced — Answer Key

Choose a, an, the or —

1. — — Abstract noun in general → no article.
2. The — Abstract noun made specific (she showed) → The.
3. — — A field of study → no article.
4. The — The + singular for a whole species (scientific style) → The.
5. — — Fixed phrase: by heart.
6. — — Fixed phrase: on foot.
7. The — beauty + of this place → specific → The.
8. — — Fixed phrase: by accident.

Complete the sentence

1. The
2. —
3. hand
4. An
5. —
6. —