Please End My Confusion:Articles

[Suavemente]

I have been receiving conflicting opinions about the usage of articles, so I've decided to see if I can get a resolution to this forum. Webster's Spanish - English Dictionary says that you always use the article(with exceptions), but native speakers from everywhere keep correcting me as if I'm overusing articles or using them isn't necessary. Please clarify this issue.

Note: I'm sorry.. I need help with definite articles..... lol

[Rusty]

Do you have some examples for us? I think working through some of the sentences you remember would be a good thing.

I can think of many cases where an article is needed in Spanish but not in English. When speaking in generalities, it's common to omit articles in English, for example.

Candy is not good for your teeth.
= Los dulces no son buenos para los dientes.

[Suavemente]

I'm always using the article unless I'm refering to a certain amount of something(a noun). Por Ejemplo....

Ahora mismo, estudio el español.( Right now, I'm studying Spanish)

Las manzanas son buenas para los dientes(Apples are good for your teeth)

Ayer, El Señor Rusty no va al trabajo(Yesterday, Mr. Rusty didn't go to work).

Es lista la comida(The food is ready)

[AngelicaDeAlquezar]

Originally Posted by Suavemente

I'm always using the article unless I'm refering to a certain amount of something(a noun). Por Ejemplo....

Ahora mismo, estudio el español.( Right now, I'm studying Spanish)

Las manzanas son buenas para los dientes(Apples are good for your teeth)

Ayer, el Señor Rusty no va fue al trabajo(Yesterday, Mr. Rusty didn't go to work).
No capitals on articles, unless they start a new sentence.

Es Está lista la comida(The food is ready)

You see it's most of the times an article is necessary, but it's easier to learn by exceptions. Only one of your examples really didn't need the article.

Maybe someone else will have a more technical explanation, but the more general idea, the less it needs a definite article.

[Suavemente]

Bueno, las excepciónes son

Cuándo usa un título(Son, San, Santo, Santa, Don, Dona y Fray)
Carlos Quinto(Carlos the Fifth)

En una oración lo qual un sustantivo es calificado(modificado):

Pico Bolívar, la montaña más alta de Venezuela(Bolívar Point, the tallest mountain in Venezuela).