Blog about English
Situations where no article is used.
Do not use an article with plural countable nouns when speaking about things in general.
The zero article is used when referring to an entire class rather than specific people or things.
Do not use an article with uncountable nouns when speaking generally.
General concepts and substances usually take the zero article unless they are made specific.
Do not use an article with most personal names, cities, countries, streets and continents.
Most proper nouns are used without an article unless they belong to a category that normally requires the.
Do not use an article before the names of languages or academic subjects.
Examples include English, French, mathematics and biology.
Do not use an article when referring to meals in a general sense.
Examples include breakfast, lunch and dinner. An article may be used when referring to a particular meal.
Do not use an article before the names of sports and games.
Examples include football, tennis, chess and volleyball.
Do not use an article before the names of days, months or most holidays.
Examples include Monday, July and Christmas.
Do not use an article before certain institutions when referring to their primary purpose.
Examples include go to school, be in prison, go to church, be at university, go to bed and be in hospital (British English).
Do not use an article in certain fixed expressions referring to transport.
Examples include by bus, by train, by car, by air and on foot.
Do not use an article before titles when they are followed by a name or used as a form of address.
Examples include President Lincoln, Doctor Smith and Good morning, Professor.
Many common English expressions use the zero article.
Examples include at home, at work, at night, by chance, by mistake and from time to time.
Use a/an or the when the noun refers to a specific person, thing or occasion.
The absence of an article expresses a general meaning. When the reference becomes specific, another article is usually required.