Sometimes when we make sentences, we do not need to use a, an, or the.  For example, when we are talking about a language, a sport, or an academic subject, we do not use the articles a, an, or the.  Look at the sentences below and we’ll show you when you should not use an article to make a sentence.

 When we are talking about a country or city, we don’t use any articles.  For example, “China is a beautiful country,” or “I live in London.”  You see, we don’t put an article before China or London because they are already specific.  However, if we are talking about the people of a country, we do use an article.  For example, “The Chinese are beautiful people.”

 Another time we don’t use an article is when we are talking about sports.  For example, “I like playing volleyball,” or “Baseball is a very fun game.”  When we make a general sentence like these, we don’t need to use an article.

 However, if we want to talk about a specific game, then we do need to usethe.  For example, “The basketball game is very exciting,” or “He was the Broncos’ greatest player.”  When we make sentences referring to a specific game or team, then we do need to use the word the.

 Finally, we don’t use articles when we make sentences referring to academic subjects.  For example: Math, History, Science, English, or Computer Class.  When we are talking about subjects in general, we only need to say “Math class is hard,” or “History is an easy subject.”

  However, there are times when you should use an article.  For example, when you refer to a specific class, test, or teacher; “The Math teacher is really nice,” or “The Biology test was really hard.”  In those cases, you need to use an article because it is a specific noun that is being described.