Question

Need some explanations about the articles!
Why do we say I love Italian food and not the Italian food
Why do we say I leave home at 3 and not I leave the home
why do we say I go to bed at 11 and not I go to the bed at 11

Answer 1

The use of articles are a large pain in the neck to people learning English -- and people who have grown up speaking English often cannot explain them to others! It's very strange!

http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/determiners/determiners.htm#articles
Notice the disclaimer in the box:
CAUTION! ...

Be sure to read and study that webpage. It has excellent explanations and examples for you.

I'll give you the best explanations I can, but this is an area that is always tricky.

1. If you say, "I love Italian food," you are saying you like all types of food that Italians fix/cook/make.
But ... if you say, "I love the Italian food," someone will probably wait for you to name a specific dish or region. Example: I love the Italian food made by people in Tuscany.

2. If you say, "I leave home at 3," you are saying you leave your own home around 3 o'clock each day.
But ... if you say, "I leave the home," people will expect you to tell what home. Is it an old folks' home? A nursing home? What?

3. Can you now explain #3??

Let me know.

Answer 2

Correction!!

The use of articles <b>is</b> a large pain in the neck ...

Answer 3

Thank you! I got it. It's a bit easier now

Answer 4

You're welcome. It's not easy, I know!