Definite/indefinite article usage

Question

Must articles always be used to make sentences grammatically correct in Spanish?

Is this O.K? Avances en tecnología médica se ha extendido vida humana.

or must it always be this?

Los avances en la tecnología médica se ha extendido la vida humana.

Advances in medical technology has extended human life.

Answer 1

There are cases such as professions.

Soy médico

Alberto es bombero.

However, if you intend to be specific about something, you could add the definite article,

Es usted señor Smith (not required, any old Mr Smith)

Es usted el señor Smith ( the famous, the actual, the one and only Mr Smith)

In conclusion, I am not sure if there are any hard and fast rules or if you just have to learn instances when and when not to use them.

With professions, don't you add the article if there is a modifier? Es secretaria. Es una secretaria fantástica. - Delores--Lindsey, Jun 4, 2010

I seem to recall that from somewhere along the line. :-) - Delores--Lindsey, Jun 4, 2010

Possibly, it does sound a lot better, however, I was initially giving examples of omission. - Eddy, Jun 4, 2010

If you recall from section 2.1 never use articles with professions. Antonio es mecánico...no es uno mecánico. - MattM, Jun 4, 2010

Thanks Eddy! - MattM, Jun 4, 2010

Answer 2

I would use your second sentence:

Los avances en la tecnología médica se ha extendido la vida humana.

Definitely looks better. Just wondering if there is ever a case where you don't need or use them? - MattM, Jun 4, 2010

Answer 3

I've noticed that articles, especially definite articles, are used much more often in Spanish than in English.

Click

here

and

here

Great link Issabela :) - MattM, Jun 4, 2010

¡muchas gracias también! I have been wondering about this- noticing the definite article is included sometimes and not others and have been wondering if there were any rules! :) - comosedice, Aug 2, 2011