The Graduate  +  523648 Fri, 06 Jun 08 05:22 AM Good day everyone,  It has been long time since I posted something here. My question is; sometimes I feel that it is difficult to decide on whether to use articles or not, please take a look at the following examples: - You need to sit down with (a) pen and (a) paper in order to write your essay. - It has been (a) long time since I posted something here. - I went to (the) stock market last night. - It seems that (the) history repeats itself. I know there are general rules for using articles, I went through them and could not apply them to the above examples. I may need help from somebody who is really good in this area Thank You Very Much In Advance! The Graduate Joined on Fri, Aug 10 2007 Junior Member 79 Oo--oO Articles, Essays

	Mister Micawber  +  523667 Fri, 06 Jun 08 06:30 AM . These are correct: - You need to sit down with (a) pen and (a) paper in order to write your essay.  -- They are singular countable nouns, but 'pen and paper' is also idiomatic. - It has been a long time since I posted something here. - I went to the stock market last night. - It seems that history repeats itself. Mister Micawber Joined on Wed, Aug 4 2004 Yokohama Veteran Member 30,805 'The question is,' said Humpty Dumpty, 'which is to be master-- that's all.' Articles, Nouns, Countable Nouns, Essays

	The Graduate  +  523707 Fri, 06 Jun 08 09:36 AM Thank you very mcuh Mister Micawber for your reply. but I am still confused about your answer to the second example, it has been a long time since I posted something here, I know that time can be both countable and uncountable depending on the context. in this example, I believe time is uncountable, please correct me if I am wrong. The Graduate Articles

	Cool Breeze  +  523765 Fri, 06 Jun 08 11:48 AM  I'll butt in, Graduate, if you don't mind. You are referring to a period of time, and what's even more important, there is an adjective before time. Adjectival attributes often influence the use and choice of articles. There are numerous expressions in which a is used because of an adjective. Some examples: He spent a long time in hospital. But: I need time to think about it. Birds were flying in a blue sky. But: Birds were flying in the sky. I had an early lunch. But: I had lunch. CB  Cool Breeze Joined on Fri, Apr 7 2006 Senior Member 3,978 "I hope you'll all live to be 150 years old - and the last voice you hear is mine!" Frank Sinatra on stage in Oslo, Norway, 28 September 1991 Articles

	The Graduate  +  523861 Fri, 06 Jun 08 05:38 PM Thank you very mcuh dear, actually you raised a good point that I have not heared about before now. I believe your new point will help me to understand the use of articles much better The Graduate Articles