LESSON 2. ARTICLES AND THEIR USAGE

The indefinite article is not used

1. Before plural nouns

2. Before uncountable nouns

The following nouns are singular and uncountable in English

1. advice, information, news, baggage, luggage, furniture. Knowledge is also considered uncountable, but when used in a particular sense takes the article.
   Eg. He has a good knowledge of mathematics.
2. Hair is considered uncountable, but when we consider each hair separately we say “a hair” , “two hairs” etc. 
   
   Eg. She has black hair.
         The fisherman used a hair to tie the feather to the hook.
3. Materials glass,  wood, iron stone , paper, cloth, wine coffee, tea, etc are considered uncountable.

3. Before abstract nouns.

• Beauty, happiness, fear, hope, death, etc when they are used in a particular sense.
  
  Eg. He was pale with fear.
  
        Some children suffer from a fear of the dark.

4. Before names of meals, except when preceded by an adjective.

• Eg. We have breakfast at eight.
  
        He gave us a good breakfast.