[erihime]

Hello, my name is erihime. This is my first time to post here. I am a Japanese and have been learning English quite some time.

Among other things, the usage of the articles is the most difficult and complicated thing for me. Whenever I write, I have to stop and think...

"Do I need 'the' here or 'a'?"

Let me give you an example.

"I used to go to a department store."

By adding 'a' in front of the word 'department store', did I generalize the deparment stores? or should I have written "I used to go to the department stores"?

I always feel lost with the articles. Could somebody give me some examples of sentences in which I can see where to (not to) use the articles, please?

If you could also provide me with some titles of the books which explain the usage o the articles, I really appreciate it.

Thank you very much.

erihime