When and when not to use definite articles

Question

I'm so confused about when and when not to use el, la, los, las and when not to. The instructions say No definite article is needed before a title such as "señora" when one is addressing the person directly. and Do Use a definite article *When talking about someone with a title such as "senor" So if señora Martínez es mi vecina. means Mrs Martinez is my neighbor

We are talking about Senora Martinez and not to her directly.

So why when I chose not to use a definite article I was wrong?

There is post on the forum right now explaining this ,from Daniela. - ray76, Aug 24, 2016

Answer 1

I am sure there is variation in this in real life, but regardless, for the purpose of an exercise or lesson your question seems to be logically flawed.

Do Use a definite article *When talking about someone with a title such as "senor

We are talking about Senora Martinez and not to her directly.

So why when I chose not to use a definite article I was wrong?

You state that you are supposed to use the article when talking indirectly about someone, then ask why you were wrong when you chose not to use it in that situation. It sounds like you broke the given rule. Am I missing something here?

Reference.

http://spanish.about.com/cs/grammar/a/use_def_art_2.htm

With personal titles: The article is used before most personal titles when talking about people, but not when talking to them. El señor Smith está en casa. (Mr. Smith is at home.) But, hola, señor Smith (hello, Mr. Smith). La doctora Jones asistió a la escuela. (Dr. Jones attended the school.) But, doctora Jones, ¿como está? (Dr. Jones, how are you?) La is also often used when speaking about a famous woman using her last name only. La Spacek durmió aquí. (Spacek slept here.)

Much more information is available at the link.

:) - rac1, Aug 24, 2016