Page 44 - Basic English Usage

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7 Exclamations
We use a/an in exclamations after what, with singular countable nouns.
What a lovely dress! (NOT -Whattevely dress?)

8 Nature
We often use the with the words town, couniry, sea, seaside and
mountains, even when we are talking in general. The same happens
with wind, rain, snow and sun(shine). (See 42.3.)
Do you prefer the town or the country?
| love the mountains.
| like the noise of the wind.
She spends her time lying in the sun.
9 Place-names
We usually use the with these kinds of place-names:
seas (the Atlantic)
mountain groups (the Himalayas)
island groups (the West Indies)
rivers (the Rhine)
deserts (the Sahara)
hotels (the Grand Hote!)
cinemas and theatres (the Odeon, the Playhouse)
museums and art galleries (the British Museum, the Tate)
We usually use no article with:
continents, countries, states, counties, departments etc
(Africa, Brazil, Texas, Berkshire, Westphalia)
towns (Oxford)
streets (New Street)
lakes (Lake Michigan)
Exceptions: countries whose name contains a common noun like
republic, state(s), union (the People's Republic of China, the USA,
the USSR). Note also the Netherlands, and its seat of government the
Hague.
We do not usually use the with the names of the principal buildings of a
town.
Oxford University (NOT the-Oxferd- University)
Oxford Station (NOT the Oxford Station)
Salisbury Cathedral
Birmingham Airport
Bristol Zoo
Names of single mountains vary — some have articles, some do not
(Everest, the Matterhorn).