Zero Article

Most nouns have an article (a / an or the), or another "Determiner" in front of them.

When there is no determiner in front of a noun or noun phrase, we say that it has a zero article.

1. Main uses of the zero article

English has no article like a / an to place before plural or uncountable nouns for indefinite meanings. We use the zero article instead.

1.1. Zero article before plural nouns

a / an + singular noun
They're expecting a visitor.

zero + plural noun
They're expecting visitors.

1.2. Zero article before uncountable nouns

a / an + countable noun
Sam picked up a stone.

zero + uncountable noun
The wall is made of stone.

1.3. Zero article before names

a / an + common noun
Sam gave his wife a rose.

zero + name
His sister's name is Rose.

Note: With names we include titles like doctor in front of names (Doctor Brown, Professor Johny, President Joe Biden), and family nouns like Mum, Dad, Uncle.
Ex: Dad is looking after the children today.

2. Choosing between zero article and some

Before plural and uncountable nouns, we can use either the zero article or unstressed some, pronounced /səm/.
Ex:
(1) zero: They're expecting visitors.
(2) /səm/: They're expecting some visitors.

(1) zero: Would you like black coffee?
(2) /səm/: Would you like some black coffee?

There is a small difference between (1) and (2) above:
(1) "zero article" means that the noun represents a general type of "thing, person, material, abstraction".
Ex: black coffee = "black, not white coffee".

(2) some /səm/ means "a quantity of", where the exact quantity is not known or is not important.

Sometimes, only the zero article is possible, especially after be:
Ex:
(1) His father and grandfather are fishermen. (NOT: some fishermen)
(2) Sam and John are students. (NOT: some students)

This tells us what "type" of people they are.

In other examples, only some /səm/ is usual:
Ex: Sam brought me some bread. (NOT: Sam brought me bread.)

This refers to a "quantity" of bread.

Note: In negative sentences, any usually replaces some.
Ex: He hasn't bought any sugar.
In questions, either some or any can be used.

3. The zero article to refer to people and things in general

3.1. Zero article + plural noun

(1) I like dogs better than cats.
(2) Children enjoy ball games.

3.2. Zero article + uncountable noun

We use uncountable nouns for "substances, liquids, gases, materials".
Ex:
(1) Water contains oxygen.
(2) Steel is much stronger than copper.

And for abstractions:
(1) Which do you like best, history or music?
(2) All nations should work for peace.

4. Special uses of the zero article with singular countable nouns

4.1. With a person's "role" or "function"

Zero can replace the before a noun describing a person's "role" or "function", when that person is the only one.
(1) James is (the) captain of the tennis team.
(2) As (the) Secretary of the boat club, I welcome new members.
(3) John F. Kennedy was elected (the) President of the U.S.A. in 1961.

Notes:
(1) We cannot use the zero article after be where more than one person has the same role or function, for example, in naming someone's job.
Ex: "What's your job?" "I'm a doctor. (NOT: I'm doctor.)
(There is more than one person who is a doctor, so we have to use a here.)

(2) More generally, we cannot normally use a zero article before a singular count noun (except for names). Take care to include the article in cases like these:
(1) Have you met the new science teacher? (NOT: met new science teacher.)
(2) I heard the telephone ringing. (NOT: heard telephone ringing.)

4.2. The zero article before nouns of time and season

at night
by day / night
before sunrise
before sunset
after sunrise
after sunset

---

at noon
at midday
at midnight
before noon
before midday
before midnight
after noon
after midday
after midnight

---

Morning came.
Night fell.
It's spring*.
in winter*

But other phrases have the:
in the morning
during the night
the next day

It is often possible to use the before nouns of season.
Ex: In (the) summer the weather is very hot in this country.

4.3. The zero article for meals

Ex:
(1) What did you have for breakfast?
(2) Sam has invited the Johnsons to dinner.
(3) James has invited Suzan for supper.

But also (talking of particular meal):
(1) They had a very good dinner.
(2) (The) breakfast was late this morning.

4.4. The zero article for some prepositional phrases of place

Ex:
(1) My father is in bed.
(2) She is in class.
(3) Alex went to hospital. (G.B.)*
(4) He is at home.**
(5) We went to church.
(6) They went to university. (G.B.)*
(7) Sam went to sea.
(8) His friend is at work.

* (U.S.): at / to the hospital / university.
** Way sat at home, but we omit to after come and go: They went home.

These are idioms referring generally to places where we go for a special reason. We use a or the when we have a particular hospital, school, etc. in mind.
(1) She's working in a hospital in Texas.
(2) They are attending classes at the University of New York.

4.5. The zero article for by-phrases describing means of transport and means of communication

Ex:
(1) I came home by car / bus / train.
(2) We keep in touch by phone / fax / e-mail.

4.6. The zero article in prepositional phrase idioms

Ex:
(1) at speed
(2) in front (of)
(3) in line (with)
(4) in turn
(5) off colour
(6) on foot
(7) on top (of)
(8) out of step

Ex: I'm feeling a bit off colour. (= "not very well")

4.7. The zero article in noun + preposition + noun idioms

Ex:
(1) arm in arm
(2) day by day
(3) eye to eye
(4) face to face
(5) hand in hand
(6) side by side
(7) from head to toe

Ex: Sam and his mother never see eye to eye. (= "never have the same views or opinions")

I hope this article helps. If you have any question, please leave a comment below.