Zero article in use
Many have heard about the zero article, but not many know how to use it correctly. This notion sounds way too simple. No definite or indefinite article? Then no problem! However, is it so?
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What is zero article
In English grammar, there are two types of articles, definite and indefinite, but there is also the concept of the zero article. This notion is also known as no article. It implies a number of rules and exceptions when no specifying parts of speech (like a, an, the) are used before a noun. The list of cases where we should not use the article is not that long, but it is worth learning to avoid serious mistakes. Let's begin by looking at the most popular cases.
Cases of the use of the zero article
The article is not used:
- When we talk about abstract concepts.
Examples:
- ✔️ I get a lot of satisfaction from my work and hobbies.
- ✔️ Happiness is something that every person living in the world strives for.
- With abstract nouns, which denote the names of substances.
Examples:
- ✔️ Water has three aggregate states.
- ✔️ Blood is a biological liquid.
- If we have calculable nouns in the plural.
Examples:
- ✔️ Horses are very beautiful and graceful animals.
- ✔️ We observed the behavior of scorpions in this aquarium.
- With names and surnames.
Examples:
- ✔️ Jeremy has been interested in rugby since childhood.
- ✔️ Thompson obtained his doctorate in 1980 and went to work in Africa.
There is a small exception to this rule concerning surnames. If we are talking about one person and mention their last name, then there is no article. However, when we are referring to an entire family, then the definite article will be used.
Examples:
- ✔️ The Richardsons lived on this street for more than twenty years before they moved to New Orleans.
- ✔️ The Millers celebrated their wedding anniversary yesterday, and everyone on our block was invited to the party.
- With titles and forms of address, followed by the person's name.
Examples:
- ✔️ Queen Isabella strengthened the royal power in Castile. She was a very wise and competent ruler.
- ✔️ Mr. Potter lost his glasses and for that reason could not find the office of the director of the enterprise.
- With names of continents, countries, cities, streets, individual islands and mountains.
Examples:
- ✔️ This scientist led an expedition to Antarctica and made several important discoveries.
- ✔️ Istanbul is a very beautiful city with mosques, palaces, and other monuments of Turkish history and culture.
- ✔️ Since childhood, he dreamed of visiting the famous Wall Street.
- ✔️ Hoverla is considered to be the highest point in Ukraine.
- ✔️ Easter Island is amazing with its remarkable stone statues.
However, when it comes to mountains and islands, there is a small exception. When we speak of individual mountains and islands, there is no article. However, when referring to an entire family, a definite article will be used.
Examples:
- ✔️ The Maldives is considered the best vacation spot on earth.
- ✔️ The Himalayas fascinate with their powerful nature and are the place of power for many people.
- When it comes to two closely related subjects.
Examples:
- ✔️ No one present had even guessed that they were brother and sister.
- ✔️ Looking at this couple, you'd think they were father and daughter.
- When describing a mode of travel with the preposition by.
Examples:
- ✔️ I was traveling to different cities by bus.
- ✔️ I missed my train, so I had to go by foot to the next station.
- With a proper noun in the possessive case.
Examples:
- ✔️ Turns out it was Matthew's diary; he lost it last week.
- ✔️ Williams' hat was on the shelf; he had left it there because it was very hot outside.
- When referring to the names of the games.
Examples:
- ✔️ The guys loved to play soccer and climb trees.
- ✔️ Alex played chess and cards better than anyone else in school.
- With nouns that mean diseases.
Examples:
- ✔️ My sister's child has scarlatina and was admitted to the hospital.
- ✔️ Unfortunately, his grandfather passed away from tuberculosis.
The exceptions are a cold and a headache.
Examples:
- ✔️ I got a cold, I probably won't be able to go to work tomorrow.
- ✔️ Stefan has a severe headache and no pills help him.
- The article is not used before the gerund.
Examples:
- ✔️ Smoking is one of the most common factors negatively affecting health.
- ✔️ Melissa loves painting with oil paints on canvas.
- With certain stable expressions.
Examples:
- ✔️ If you're sleepy, it's time for you to go to bed.
- ✔️ Well-behaved people never call anyone at night.
- ✔️ At the time it happened, they were at work.