C2 Mastery Academic language and C2 style
Advanced articles & determiners
Lesson goal. After this lesson you can apply the article rules for institutional nouns (school, hospital, prison, church) and advanced What (a) / Such (a) exclamations.
When to use it
- Referring to an institution's main purpose (study, treatment, imprisonment, worship) → no article: go to school/hospital/prison/church.
- Referring to the specific building for another reason → with 'the': go to the hospital (to visit someone).
- Exclaiming with a singular countable noun: What a wonderful surprise!
- Exclaiming with an uncountable/plural noun: What nonsense you're talking!
Form
| Phrase |
|---|
| go to school/hospital/prison/church (no article) |
| go to the school/hospital/prison/church (with 'the') |
| What a/an + adjective + singular countable noun! |
| What + adjective + uncountable/plural noun! |
Step by step
- With institutional nouns (school, hospital, prison, church, university...): drop the article when referring to the main activity/purpose linked to that place.
- Add 'the' when referring to the specific building for another reason (visiting someone, a meeting, repairs...).
- 'What' exclamations: if the following noun is singular countable → add 'a/an'; if uncountable or plural → no 'a'.
- 'Such a + adjective + singular countable noun' is also used to exclaim, usually followed by a full clause.
What vs. What a vs. Such a
| Structure | Following noun type |
|---|---|
| What + adj + N! | uncountable / plural |
| What a/an + adj + N! | countable singular |
| Such a/an + adj + N! | countable singular (often + clause) |
Examples
He was taken to hospital after the accident.
He went to the hospital to visit his friend.
What a wonderful surprise this is!
What nerve he has, asking for a raise after being late every day!
Common mistakes
She spent two years in the prison before her release. → She spent two years in prison before her release.
'in prison' (serving a sentence, no article) differs from 'in the prison' (being in that building for another reason, e.g. visiting).
What a information you've given us today! → What information you've given us today!
'information' is uncountable → What information..., without 'a'.
He went to hospital to visit his friend. → He went to the hospital to visit his friend.
Going to the specific building for another reason (visiting a friend) needs 'the' — it's not the main purpose (treatment).
Memory tip
Ask yourself: is this the place's main purpose (study, treatment, imprisonment, worship)? If so → drop the article. If it's another reason → add 'the'.
Summary
- Institutional nouns: no article = main purpose; with 'the' = specific building, other reason.
- What + N (uncountable/plural) vs. What a + N (singular countable) — exclamations.
Practise this lesson
Do exercises with an explanation for every question, take mini tests and track your progress on GrammUp.