Sometimes we say nothing before a thing. a = one of many, new · the = the one we both mean · nothing = in general.
a, the, nothing
Ira wants a sandwich. The sandwich is big.
Liam likes coffee.
Sandwiches are cheap here.
Not "I like the coffee. (which coffee? the one we both know)" — say "I like coffee. (all coffee, in general)". a = one of many · the = the one we both mean · nothing = in general.
Ira wants a sandwich. The sandwich is big.
Liam likes coffee.
Sandwiches are cheap here.
a sandwich — one of many, a new one
the sandwich — you both know which one
coffee — coffee in general
Talking about things in general
When you talk about a whole group in general (all of them, everywhere), use the plural word with nothing before it.
Sandwiches are cheap here.
Liam loves cookies.
Apples are good for you.
Not "I like the apples. (which apples? the ones we both know)" — say "I like apples. (all apples, in general)". A whole group in general → often no word at all.
Try it: Ira talks to a child about food. She says: "Eat fruit! ___ apples and bananas are good for you." Which word fits? (nothing / the) Answer: nothing — For things in general, all apples and bananas, everywhere, use no word: Apples and bananas are good for you. The apples and bananas would mean some particular ones you both know about.
Back to a certain one
Use nothing for things in general. But when you mean this one here, put the back.
Liam likes coffee. → all coffee, in general
The coffee here is very good. → this cafe's coffee
Ira loves apples. → The apples on this table are sweet.
Not "This cafe makes good coffee. "Coffee here is very good."" — say "This cafe makes good coffee. "The coffee here is very good."". In general → nothing. A certain one → the.
Try it: Ira has a cup of tea at Ghafridge Cafe. She tells the waiter: "___ tea here is very good." Which word fits? (The / nothing) Answer: The — She means this cafe's tea, not all tea in the world, so the comes back: The tea here is very good.
Words you can't count
Some words you can't count, like water, coffee, rice. When you mean them in general, use the word with nothing before it: just coffee. At a cafe, a coffee means one cup of coffee.
Liam drinks water.
Ira loves coffee.
There is rice on the menu.
Not "I like a coffee. (coffee in general, so no a)" — say "I like coffee. (all coffee, in general)". In general, words you can't count like water, coffee, rice → no a, just the word.
Try it: Liam talks about the water he drinks every day. He says: "I drink ___." Which one fits? (a water / water) Answer: water — If you picked "a water", look again: Liam means water every day, in general. In general, words you cannot count take no word before them: just water.
What are the common mistakes?
Incorrect
Correct
Why
I like the coffee. (which coffee? the one we both know)
I like coffee. (all coffee, in general)
a = one of many · the = the one we both mean · nothing = in general.
I like the apples. (which apples? the ones we both know)
I like apples. (all apples, in general)
A whole group in general → often no word at all.
This cafe makes good coffee. "Coffee here is very good."
This cafe makes good coffee. "The coffee here is very good."
In general → nothing. A certain one → the.
I like a coffee. (coffee in general, so no a)
I like coffee. (all coffee, in general)
In general, words you can't count like water, coffee, rice → no a, just the word.