Articles — Important Questions

I had breakfast this morning.

Step 1: Identify that 'breakfast' is the name of a meal. Step 2: Names of meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) generally do not take articles. Step 3: We say 'have breakfast', 'eat lunch', 'enjoy dinner' without articles. Step 4: Articles are only used with meals when they are made specific or particular (like 'a dinner was organized'). Step 5: Therefore, 'I had breakfast this morning' is correct.

Water is essential for life.

Step 1: Identify that 'water' is an uncountable noun. Step 2: When talking about uncountable nouns in a general sense, we don't use articles. Step 3: 'Water' here refers to water in general, not a specific amount of water. Step 4: Options C and D are wrong because 'a/an' cannot be used with uncountable nouns. Step 5: Therefore, 'Water is essential for life' is correct as it talks about water in general.

an

Step 1: Look at the first sound of 'honest' - the 'h' is silent. Step 2: The word 'honest' actually starts with the vowel sound /ɒ/. Step 3: We use 'an' before words that begin with vowel sounds. Step 4: Even though 'honest' is spelled with 'h', the 'h' is not pronounced. Step 5: Therefore, 'an honest man' is correct because it begins with a vowel sound.

I go to school by bus.

Step 1: Identify the expression 'by bus' which indicates means of transport. Step 2: Expressions for means of travel (by bus, by car, by train, on foot) don't use articles. Step 3: Also, 'school' here refers to the institution for its primary purpose (education), so no article is needed. Step 4: We use articles with transport only when being specific ('I missed the 9 o'clock bus'). Step 5: Therefore, 'I go to school by bus' is correct.