article the/zero article

Definitebarticle the/zero article

In English grammar, the term zero article refers to an occasion in speech or writing where a noun or noun phrase is not preceded by an article (a, an, or the). The zero article is also known as the zero determiner.

In general, no article is used with proper nouns , mass nouns where the reference is indefinite, or plural count nouns where the reference is indefinite. Also, no article is generally used when referring to means of transport (by plane) or common expressions of time and place (at midnight, in jail).

In addition, linguists have found that in regional varieties of English known as New Englishes, omitting an article is often done to express non-specificity.

Examples of the Zero Article

In the following examples, no article is used before the italicized nouns.

My mother's name is Rose. I gave her a rose on Mother's Day.

Every mile is two in winter.

This plant grows in sandy soil and on the edges of swamps.

David Rockefeller was authorized to hold the position of director of the Council on Foreign Relations.

The Zero Article in American and British English

In American and British English, no article is used before words such as school, college, class, prison or camp when these words are used in their "institutional" sense.

The students start school in the fall.

College provides opportunities for students to learn and meet new people.

However, some nouns that are used with definite articles in American English are not used with articles in British English.

When I was in the hospital, I often wished there were fewer hours in the day

When Elizabeth was in hospital, she was occasionally visited by her parents

1. With countless nouns, general or abstract and plural ideas (they have not been mentioned before and they have not been modified later.)

Examples:

I like orange juice (uncountable noun) (I like orange juice)
Give peace a chance (abstract idea) (Give peace a chance)
I hate wasps (has not been mentioned before and has not been modified either) (I hate wasps)

2. With most proper names.

Examples:

We live in France. (We live in France)
I'll see you in January. (I'll see you in January)


3. With meal names when referring to routines.

Examples:

It's time for lunch. (It's time to eat)
What's for dinner? (What's for dinner?)

4. With unique papers and papers (you can also put a definite article)

Examples:

Jim is (the) chairman of the company. (Jim is the president of the company)

5. With prepositions of place when the place has a special role.

Examples:

Sally is in prison (she is a recluse) (Sally is in jail)
Sally is in the prison (she is not a recluse, she has gone to visit someone or to work there) (Sally is in jail)

The same thing happens with: church (church), hospital (hospital), school (college) and university (university)

6. With the means of transport.
Examples:

We went there by car. (We went there by car)

But if we use in or on: We went there in a car / on a bus. (We went there by car / bus)

 VIDEO    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57VZNwrZsN 

 Completa la oración con the o dejando el espacio en blanco (---), según corresponda.



1I´m going to                     the             ---     cinema                     ---    the     day after tomorrow.



2                     ---    The          strawberries are my favorite fruit.



3 Sarah can play                     ---    the    piano.



4                     ---    The            journey to Paris takes two days by train.



5 I like                     ---    the     flowers very much.





6 New York is in                     ---    the     East of America.



7John doesn't like                     ---    the     basketball.



8 My brother doesn't eat                     ---    the          fish.



9 The Eiffel Tower is                     ---    the           most famous structure in France.



10                     ---    The             earth rotates around                     the             ---            sun.