Which one?

- Articles
a) When to use the when we both know which one
When both the person speaking and the person listening know which one because:
1. We have already talked about it. Eg: I bought a book. I went home. I read the book.
2. The sentence explains which one. Eg: Do you remember the movie that we saw on Tuesday?
3. We understand which one from the context. Eg: Close the door. (the door in this room)
4. There is only one. a) Eg: The sun was hot.
b) Superlatives: Eg: The tallest student in this class.
b) When to use a when one of us doesnt know which one
1. With a single, countable noun, when the person speaking
or the person listening doesnt know which one.
Eg: I saw a movie. (I know which movie, but the person listening doesnt know)
2. When we are describing something as one of many.
Eg: Peter is a doctor (There are many doctors. Peter is one of them)
Note: When we are describing things as some of many, we use nothing ()
Eg: Andy and Tim are students. (There are many students.
Andy and Tim are two of them)
c) When to use some/any when one of us doesnt know which ones
We use some instead of a for: Some or Any?
1. plural countable nouns Positive I have some tea.
Eg: Some people came to visit. Negative I dont have any tea.
2. uncountable nouns Questions Do you have any tea?
Eg: They drank some beer. Exceptions:
Requests Could I have some tea?
d) When to use nothing () Offers Would you like some tea?
1. With proper names. Eg: Lucy was surprised.; Australia is big.
2. When we are talking about something in general we usually use:
+ plural countable noun. Eg: I like action movies.; Cats have tails.
or: + uncountable noun. Eg: I like apple juice.; Milk is white.
3. When we are describing things as some of many Eg: Melbourne and Sydney are cities.
(There are many cities)
e) Exceptions
1. We use the for musical instruments, oceans, seas, rivers, mountain ranges, hotels, and newspapers.
Eg: I can play the piano. (= I can play pianos in general. but we say I bought a piano.)
Japan is in the Pacific.; The Himalayas are in Asia. Im at the Hyatt.
2. We use nothing for:
Meals breakfast, lunch dinner
Eg: I had lunch. I made dinner.
Some places home, in bed.
Eg: I went home. I stayed at home. I was in bed
work, school, university, hospital, prison
Eg: I went to work.; I was at school.;
I was at university.; I was in hospital.;
I was in prison.; Were going to church.
Some times night, holiday
Eg: I like to go walking at night.;
I met him when I was on holiday.
Some ways of travelling by bus, by tram, by train, by car, by plane, on foot.
Eg: I come to school by tram;
I went there on foot.
Note: Countries have proper names, so we use . Eg. Vietnam is in Asia.
But sometimes we describe countries with other words (not just proper names).
Eg: The Republic of Vietnam
Q Which republic? (There are many republics) A of Vietnam. (Vietnam is a proper name)