Need some explanations about the articles!
Why do we say I love Italian food and not the Italian food
Why do we say I leave home at 3 and not I leave the home
why do we say I go to bed at 11 and not I go to the bed at 11
The use of articles are a large pain in the neck to people learning English -- and people who have grown up speaking English often cannot explain them to others! It's very strange!
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/determiners/determiners.htm#articles
Notice the disclaimer in the box:
CAUTION! ...
Be sure to read and study that webpage. It has excellent explanations and examples for you.
I'll give you the best explanations I can, but this is an area that is always tricky.
1. If you say, "I love Italian food," you are saying you like all types of food that Italians fix/cook/make.
But ... if you say, "I love the Italian food," someone will probably wait for you to name a specific dish or region. Example: I love the Italian food made by people in Tuscany.
2. If you say, "I leave home at 3," you are saying you leave your own home around 3 o'clock each day.
But ... if you say, "I leave the home," people will expect you to tell what home. Is it an old folks' home? A nursing home? What?
3. Can you now explain #3??
Let me know.
Correction!!
The use of articles is a large pain in the neck ...
Thank you! I got it. It's a bit easier now
You're welcome. It's not easy, I know!
Great questions! The choice between using the definite article "the" or not using it depends on the context and grammar rules of the English language. Let me explain each of these examples to you:
1. Why do we say "I love Italian food" and not "the Italian food":
When we say "I love Italian food," we are referring to Italian cuisine in general. Here, "Italian food" is a generic concept, and we use the article "the" when referring to specific instances of Italian food. For example, you would say "I love the Italian food they serve at that restaurant."
2. Why do we say "I leave home at 3" and not "I leave the home":
In this case, "home" is being used to represent one's place of residence. When referring to our general place of residence, like in the sentence "I leave home at 3," we do not need to use the definite article "the." However, if we are referring to a specific home, like a particular house or apartment, we use "the" before "home." For example, "I leave the home I grew up in at 3."
3. Why do we say "I go to bed at 11" and not "I go to the bed at 11":
When we say "I go to bed at 11," "bed" represents the general concept of where we sleep. We don't use the article "the" because it is not necessary when we are talking about the act of going to bed in general. However, if we are referring to a specific bed, like a particular piece of furniture, we would say "I go to the bed in the guest room at 11."
In summary, the use or omission of the definite article "the" depends on whether we are talking about something in a general or specific sense.