lake - with or without article

English as a Second Language English Teacher Explanations (ESL Tests)
1

Hello,

My question would be when we have to use articles(definite or indefinite) with a noun: lake.
I remember that once I read we don’t have to use definite article when we say:
We like going to Lake Balaton.
In Oxford Dictionary I found two examples:
We swim in the lake.
Lake Ontario - (without example)

I would like to see this clearly.Could somebody explain to me.

Many thanks in advance:
Kati Svaby

2

If you are naming the lake (Lake Balaton, Lake Ontario, etc.) then you do not need the article, because you have made it clear by the name which lake you refer to.

We went swimming in a lake. (any lake)
We went swimming in the lake. (The lake mentioned within this specific wider context. For example, this might be seen in a passage about a family holiday to a particular area which contained one lake.)
We went swimming in Lake Heviz. (no article is necessary. There is only one Lake Heviz.)

You can compare it to this:

The lady became fluent in English.
The Kati became fluent in English.

3

Many thanks dear Bez,

I’ve suspected if I put to the lake its name it can be the riddle. But it was only a guess.

You surprised me with your example: lake Heviz. Have you been there or only have you heard about it?

Many thanks for your praise. I exercise more because my grandchildren will arrive on 10th July.I have to understand them and speak to them.

I think lot of Mr. Torsten that he was right when he had been required our reading out.

I’m sorry that I won’t have enough time to make it perfect. I’ve taken a liking for learning your mother tongue. I am never bored because if I have a little free time I am in a hurry to start learning.

Best regards:
Kati

youtube.com/watch?v=i426pbQJZ_g
hungarystartshere.com/Lake-Heviz … l-treasure

4

Hello Bez,

I don’t know how American anthem got here. Yesterday I sent it to 20 seconds.
Sorry:
Kati

5

Hi Kati,

I chose Lake Heviz as an example because I knew it would be familiar to you. Sadly, though I’ve visited Slovakia and Austria I haven’t got quite as far as Hungary… yet!

6

Hello Bez,

You visited Slovakia, Austria then you have to visit once Hungary. Hungarian proverb: “Everything comes to one who waits.” Of course with my husband we will help you if you decided to come. And I have two English friends, Elisabeth and Caroline born and bred in England.One is 70, the other is 69 but they are very youngish. I never spoke to them in English.

This is an invitation.
Best regards:
Kati

7

Thank you for the invitation, Kati. It is very kind of you.
Who knows? One day it might become a reality, but at the moment I have to decline your kind offer of help. I cannot make travel plans right now.

8

Dear Bez,

I hope we have time, and if we live, this invitation lives also. I realized that it wouldn’t be tomorrow. It can be later, any time, the invitation - if you want to come here -exists.

There is a live connection between us.

Best regards and good night:
Kati