Names of months and days

As a rule names of months and days are used without articles.

May is a spring month.

My day off is Friday.

When these nouns are modified by a particularizing attribute the definite article is used.

The May of 1949 will always rest in my memory.

Miss Trotwood came on the Friday when David was born.

Names of days are used with the indefinite article when we mean one of many Mondays, Fridays, etc.

Robinson Crusoe found his servant on a Friday.

I do not remember exactly when he came from Moscow, but I am

sure it was on a Monday.

Names of months are used with the indefinite article when modified by a descriptive attribute.

A cold May is the usual thing in Leningrad.

The use of articles with nouns modified by proper nouns.

If a noun is modified by a proper noun in the genitive case no article is used.

I met Robert’s father.

A noun modified by a proper noun in the common case is used with the definite article.

Last summer I visited the Tretyakov Gallery.

The sailor led him back to the little irregular square by the Medici Palace.

(Voynich)

USE OF ARTICLES WITH NOUNS IN SOME SET EXPRESSIONS

The use of the indefinite article with nouns in set expressions.

1. in a hurry — второпях	Things done in a hurry are done badly.
2. to have a mind to do something (a great mind, a good mind) — иметь желание что-либо сделать, быть склонным что-либо сделать	I have a great mind to have a serious talk with her.
3. to fly into a passion — прийти в бешенство	If you contradict him, he will fly into a passion.
4. to get in a fury (in a rage) — прийти в ярость	If you contradict him, he will get in a fury (in a rage).
5. to take a fancy to (chiefly with names of living beings) — проникнуться симпатией, почувствовать расположение	I wonder why she took a fancy to the little girl.
6. in a low (loud) voice — тихо (громко)	Don’t speak in a low voice.
7. a great many (with count-ables) — много	I have spoken to him a great many times.
8. a great deal (with uncount-ables) — много	We can’t skate to-day, there is a great deal of snow on the ice.
9. it is a pity — жаль	It is a pity you did not go to the concert last night.
10. it is a shame — стыдно	It is a shame not to know these elementary things.
11. it is a pleasure — приятно	It is a pleasure to read beautiful poetry.
12. as a result — в результате	As a result of the inhabitants’ strenuous efforts the damaged city was soon rebuilt.
13. to have a good time — хорошо провести время	Last night we went to an evening party and had a very good time.
14. to be at a loss — быть в недоумении	She was at a loss what to say.
15. at a glance — сразу, с первого взгляда	She saw at a glance that something had happened.