Zero article
Introduction
Marion lives in Ø Paris.
Definition
We don't always need to use a, an or the before a noun. We sometimes call this zero article or you may see it as Ø.
Uses
| Rules for zero article | Examples | Exceptions |
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All continents and most countries |
Ø Japan is in Ø Asia and has more than 6,000 islands.
The north coast of Ø France faces the south coast of Ø England.
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With republic, kingdom, etc. or plurals:
the Czech Republic the United Kingdom the Netherlands
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Islands |
Ø Ibiza, Ø Corsica and Ø Sicily are all islands in the Mediterranean.
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With the word isle(s) or plurals: the Isle of Wight the Channel Islands |
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Cities and towns |
Ø Birmingham is in England.
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the Hague
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Mountains & lakes |
Ø Lake Gwynant is 3km from Ø Mount Snowdon in North Wales.
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When we don't include 'Mount': the Matterhorn the Jungfrau
Groups of lakes: the Great Lakes
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Names of streets |
Ø Oxford Street in London has 548 shops.
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the High Street [Street signs usually show High Street but we always say the High Street.]
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Names of shops |
Ø Sainsbury's is England's oldest supermarket and Ø Tesco is the biggest.
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For a particular shop: The Sainsbury's in the High Street is open on Sundays.
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Languages
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Swiss people speak Ø German, Ø French, Ø Italian or Ø Romansh.
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We can say: The English language is spoken by about 900 million people.
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Places such as school, prison, hospital, church etc. when we think of them generally, not as specific buildings
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Christians go to Ø church on Sundays.
My son's going to Ø university.
I'm at Ø work now.
He takes his children to Ø school every morning.
She's in Ø hospital. [staying as a patient]
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the synagogue, the temple, the mosque, etc.
Compare: She works in a hospital. [It doesn't matter which one.]
I will go to the hospital tomorrow. [as a visitor - and we know which one.]
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Names of stations, airports, etc.
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You can get a train to Ø Gatwick Airport from Ø Victoria Station.
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Sport and education
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I like playing Ø golf.
She's studying Ø archaeology at Manchester University.
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Generalisations
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I love Ø coffee but I don't like Ø tea.
He reads Ø magazines about Ø cars and Ø motorbikes.
Ø Happiness is more important than Ø money.
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Compare:
I need a coffee but the coffee at work is horrible!
She loves Ø music but she doesn't like the music her son listens to. |
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Meals
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In Spain, they have Ø lunch and Ø dinner much later than in England.
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Compare:
We have a nice lunch every Sunday with my family.
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Other expressions |
I go to Ø bed at 11.00.
I go to work by Ø bus or Ø train but never on Ø foot.
They're on Ø holiday.
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Compare:
The dog's in the bed again! [talking about a specific bed]
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Examples
My daughter is at Ø university [= she's a student] but she's on Ø holiday at the moment with a friend.
My husband works as a lecturer at the university. [We know which one]
I love listening to Ø music...
but I don't like going to Ø concerts; the music is too loud.
