A/An and The - General statements

One very difficult and confusing issue (at times) is the proper use of the articles a/an and the.

According to what you want to say, the use of a/an and the differs.

Today I will write about using a/an and the when talking about General Statements.

With singular nouns we use a/an and the to make general statements.
A bear can be dangerous.                                       The bear is a dangerous animal.
Here, a bear and the bear mean all bears, bears in general. We usually use the in specific, formal and academic contexts. A/an with a singular noun is the informal.

e.g. A dishwasher can be very useful.              The fly is a common insect.
       A tower is a tall building.                                 Who invented the camera?

With plural nouns or uncountable nouns we use the for a specific meaning. Without the the meaning is a general statement.
e.g. Yachts are expensive to buy. (general statement)
       The yachts were bought by two brothers. (Two specific yachts)

       Bears are dangerous animals. (general statement)
       The bears searched for food in the forest. (specific bears)

       I always need money. (general statement)
       I paid the money I owed yesterday. (specific money)

       I love to listen to music in the morning! (general statement)
       He had the music on very loud and I couldn't concentrate! (specific music)

Special uses of the: We use the with musical instruments, means of transport, and with countryside, seaside, cinema, theatre and radio.
e.g. She plays the piano very well.                     
       He takes the train to work every day.
       We love going to the countryside in autumn.   
       They went to the seaside today!
       Do you enjoy going to the cinema/the theatre?       
       Let's listen to the radio!           


:) :)