Articles in Fixed Phrases Exercises

Many English expressions use articles in ways that normal grammar rules cannot explain — they must be memorised as fixed phrases. The most important pattern is the difference between a place used for its purpose and the same place as a physical building. "Go to bed" means go to sleep (the purpose of a bed), but "sit on the bed" treats it as a piece of furniture. "Go to school" means attend lessons, but "go to the school" means visit the building. This pattern also applies to "church," "hospital," "prison," and "work."

Transport methods with "by" take no article: "by car," "by train," "by bus," "by plane." But different prepositions bring the article back: "on the bus," "in the car," "on the train." Musical instruments always use "the" with the verb "play": "play the piano," "play the violin." Meals normally take no article: "have breakfast," "eat lunch." Adding an article changes the meaning: "the lunch" refers to one specific lunch, and "a lovely dinner" adds a description. These fixed patterns are commonly tested in Cambridge B2 First and C1 Advanced use of English papers.