2. Complete the rules with a/an, the or Ø (zero article). 1. We use in front of the superlative adjectives. 2. We use with meals: have breakfast/lunch/dinner; before/after/ for breakfast. 3. We use in front of nationality nouns to refer to "all the people in general”. 4. We often use + noun when we want to say what sb/sth is like.
- Explanation: Superlative adjectives are used to compare three or more people or things and indicate the highest degree of a certain quality. We do not need any article before the superlative adjective because it already expresses the highest degree.
- Example: "He is the tallest boy in the class." (no article before "tallest")
2. We use Ø (zero article) with meals: have breakfast/lunch/dinner; before/after/for breakfast.
- Explanation: When we talk about our regular daily meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner), we do not need any article before these words.
- Example: "I have breakfast at 7 every morning." (no article before "breakfast")
3. We use Ø (zero article) in front of nationality nouns to refer to "all the people in general".
- Explanation: When we talk about nationalities and refer to people in general, we do not need any article before the nationality noun.
- Example: "Canadians are known for their politeness." (no article before "Canadians")
4. We often use the definite article "the" + noun when we want to say what someone or something is like.
- Explanation: When we want to talk about the characteristics or qualities of a particular person or thing, we use "the" before the noun to specify that we are referring to a specific thing or person.
- Example: "The weather today is very sunny." (definite article "the" before "weather")
In summary:
- We use Ø (zero article) in front of superlative adjectives because they already express the highest degree.
- We use Ø (zero article) with meals like breakfast, lunch, and dinner because they are our regular daily meals.
- We use Ø (zero article) in front of nationality nouns to refer to all the people in general.
- We use the definite article "the" before a noun when we want to talk about the characteristics or qualities of a specific person or thing.