9 It may be useful to compare the use of the de fi nite and inde fi nite article in table form: 10 The use of the articles is often the same in Italian as in English, but there are cases (mostly concerning the de fi nite article) where the two languages di ff er. Here are the most common instances: GLYPH<127> The Italian de fi nite article is always used with years, e.g.  il 1990 ,  il 2000 . GLYPH<127> The de fi nite article is normally used in Italian with names of countries and regions, e.g.  l’Inghilterra  (England),  la Toscana  (Tuscany),  il Porto- gallo  (Portugal),  l’Europa  (Europe). But the rule may be di ff erent when using a preposition, e.g.  in Italia  (in Italy) (see Unit 8, paragraph 14). * Note that some masculine titles, notably  Signore ,  Professore  and  Dottore , drop the  fi nal vowel when used before the name of the person, becoming Signor ,  Professor ,  Dottor , etc. GLYPH<127> Italian uses the de fi nite article before a title followed by a surname, except when addressing the person directly: GLYPH<127> In Italian, the de fi nite article is used before a noun used in a general sense: Masculine un  is used when  il  and  l’  are used uno  is used when  lo  is used Feminine un’  is used when  l’  is used una  is used when  la  is used Use of the articles Amo la musica rock / le vacanze. La musica rock è popolare. Le vacanze sono sempre troppo corte. Il tempo vola. Le auto inquinano l’ambiente. La disoccupazione è di ff usa. I love rock music/holidays. Rock music is popular. Holidays are always too short. Time  fl ies. Cars pollute the environment. Unemployment is widespread. La Signora Urbani è gentile. La Dottoressa Vanni non c’è. Il Dottor* Marchi è occupato. Buongiorno, Signor* Carli! Buongiorno, Dottore. Scusi, Signore. Mrs/Ms Urbani is kind. Doctor Vanni isn’t here. Doctor Marchi is busy. Good morning, Mr Carli! Good morning, Doctor. Excuse me(, Sir). Unit 2 13