Questions on the articles.

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diplomacy

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The indefinite articles and definitive article seem easy to me but indeed they are not in order to their uses and exceptions.

So please orient me whether these sentences are correct or incorrect.
1/ I have got a headache.

2/ many people have been infected by the birds flu.

3/ when you are down from an Iii just go to a physician.

4/ why do not we use an article with life?
 

billmcd

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The indefinite articles and definitive article seem easy to me but indeed they are not in order to their uses and exceptions.

So please orient me whether these sentences are correct or incorrect.
1/ I have got a headache. OK

2/ Many people have been infected by the bird[STRIKE]s[/STRIKE] flu. OK, a specific type of flu.

3/ When you are down from an [STRIKE]Iii[/STRIKE] illness just go to a physician. OK, any physician

4/ Why do not we use an article with life? OK, one of several.


b.
 

diplomacy

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Thanks a lot.

I have read that before illness you have to omit the articles

I have got a stomach

No body has been infected by a flu. Incorrect.

Next year I will study a math.


So am I correct ?
 

5jj

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I have read that before illness you have to omit the articles.
Illnesses are generally uncountable in British English, and need no article:
I have flu, appendicitis, measles, etc,

However, we have a cold, a headache, and we can have the flu and the measles.


Next year I will study [STRIKE]a [/STRIKE] math (AmE) / maths (BrE).
5
 

diplomacy

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So why do we use it with some illnesses in particular such as

I have got a headache. Or she has got a cold.

Is it right when I say :

I have the flu. It is (a) specific flu.
 

5jj

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So why do we use it with some illnesses in particular such as 'I have got a headache'. Or 'she has got a cold'.
Because we do. Sorry, but that's just the way English is.

Is it right when I say : I have the flu. It is (a) specific flu. No
We normally have flu. but some people have the flu. There is no difference.
 

diplomacy

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Appreciate that, Thanks a lot it seems to me those articles have exceptions.

Anyway, I will overcome that.
 
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