usos especiales de los artículos special uses of the definite and the indefinite articles

Usos especiales de los artículos

Special uses of the definite and the indefinite articles

O In English we do not use the articles as much as they do in Spanish. As for a rule- in English we do not use articles with abstract nouns or nouns used in a generic/general sense.

OUses of the definite article:O(el, la, los, y las)OUse with titles when speaking

ABOUT someone O El señor Will habla español.

ODo NOT use the article when speaking DIRECTLY TO someone with a title

O-Buenos días, Srta. González

OUse the definite article with days of the week to convey “on…”

OVamos a Burleson los lunes.OEl miércoles hay un examen.

OUse the definite article with articles of clothing and parts of the body (especially with reflexive verbs) instead of the possessive adjective.

OMe pongo los zapatos.

OOften in English, the object is plural when the subject is plural.

OThe students take off their jackets.

OBut, in Spanish, the object noun is usually singular.

OLos alumnos se quitan la chaqueta.

O(since each student has one jacket)

O Uses of the indefinite article:O (un, una unos, y unas)O Omit the indefinite article after the

verb “ser” and before a profession. (In English we use it here!)

O La señora Estrada es abogada.

O However, use the indefinite article when the profession is modified by an adjective.

O Él es un buen rey, pero ella es una mala reina.