Life, the rich and a better life: articles with general and abstract ideas
When to use no article, the, or a / an with general statements and abstract nouns
What you'll be able to do
Write general statements, opinions and essays that sound natural: about society, ideas, people in general and particular cases.
No article: things in general
Plural and uncountable nouns used in general take no article.
- Unemployment is a serious problem in many countries.unemployment in general
- Children need time to play.children in general
- Life is too short to worry about small things.life in general
the: a specific case, or a known one
- The unemployment in our town has risen since the factory closed.specific: in our town
- The life she described sounded exciting.a specific life
the + adjective: a group of people
- The rich should pay more tax.rich people
- The elderly often feel isolated.elderly people
a / an + abstract noun: one kind or example
- She has an excellent knowledge of history.a particular kind of knowledge
- They wanted a better life for their children.one kind of life
Common mistakes
The money doesn't buy happiness.In general: Money doesn't buy happiness.The children need love.(all children) → Children need love.Rich should help poor.A group needs the: The rich should help the poor.
Practice
- _____ is one of the biggest challenges facing cities today.Options: Pollution · The pollution · A pollution
Show the answer
Pollution — An uncountable noun in general: no article.
- _____ often find it hard to use new technology.Options: The elderly · Elderly · An elderly
Show the answer
The elderly — The + adjective for a group of people.
- She has _____ excellent understanding of economics.Options: an · the · no article:
Show the answer
an — A / an + abstract noun with an adjective: one kind.
- Which sentence is a general statement?Options: Money can't buy happiness. · The money in my wallet is in euros. · A money is important.
Show the answer
Money can't buy happiness. — Uncountable nouns in general: no article.
- _____ rich should pay more tax, according to the report.
Show the answer
The — The + adjective for a group.
In the app, this lesson is taught one idea at a time with the examples read aloud, then practised with questions you answer by choosing or typing. It comes back for review on later days, until you can use it without help.