Unlike in Italian, we don't use articles when we're speaking in general terms about abstract nouns in English. For example, l'amore è cieco = love is blind. The same goes for most uncountable nouns. For example, mi piace la frutta = I like fruit. We would only use an article before these words when we are speaking in specific terms, for example "I'll never forget the love we had for each other" or "The fruit in that shop is expensive". In your example, you're referring to 'patience' as an abstract concept, so you don't need an article. I hope that makes sense. Feel free to ask for more clarification if you need it.

Hi Silvia Some broad tips: USE The When we talk about something already mentioned - "I saw a man with a dog. THE dog was big" When it's clear what you are referring to - "THE kids are at school", "THE gate is closed" When it's a unique item - "THE moon is bright tonight" With some places - The cinema, the theatre, the gym With superlatives - THE best bar in town DON'T use The When speaking in general - "I love beer" With some nouns - home, work, school, church After some prepositions - after work, before school, to church Before meals, days, months - "I don't work on saturdays", "see you for lunch tomorrow" Before next / last + day, week, "I will visit you next Friday" Hope this helps

Think of the difference between, Eggs are tasty and The eggs are tasty. In the second sentence we are talking about some particular eggs that you and I know about...such as the eggs your brother brought home yesterday. Eggs, without the article, refers to a 'class' of thing...in other words everything/all things that are eggs. All eggs are tasty (and not just the ones your brother brought). Patience, in this context, is a class word...and as it's an uncountable abstract noun, you cannot use it in the plural (like eggs or bees or pencils or women). So, you have a singular uncountable abstract noun to refer to patience in general.

Hi Silvia. I do a whole 3 lessons on this! The reality is that, yes, there are basic rules, but there are also conventions which defy the rule. There are about 20-23 rules for the use or non-use of the articles, and once you have done the basics, you discover there are even more. So, I am afraid, there is no simple answer to this. I would have to give you all the information from 3 lessons in order to do so!! Sorry...that was no help at all, but the others have you enough to cover the basics.

The article ''the'' is used when it's clear which object , person we mean ( give me the chair please) and not for abstract things or ideas (I like art) .