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 |
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They're expecting a visitor. |
zero + plural noun |
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They're expecting visitors. |
1.2. Zero article before uncountable nouns
a / an + countable noun |
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Sam picked up a stone. |
zero + uncountable noun |
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The wall is made of stone. |
1.3. Zero article before names
a / an + common noun |
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Sam gave his wife a rose. |
zero + name |
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His sister's name is Rose. |
Ex: Dad is looking after the children today.
2. Choosing between zero article and some
Examples:
(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?
(1) "zero article" means that the noun represents a general type of "thing, person, material, abstraction".
Example: black coffee = "black, not white coffee".
(2) some /səm/ means "a quantity of", where the exact quantity is not known or is not important.
Examples:
(1) His father and grandfather are fishermen. (NOT:
(2) Sam and John are students. (NOT:
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.
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
Examples:
(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"
(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.
(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
(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
(2) I heard the telephone ringing. (NOT: heard
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
Example: In (the) summer the weather is very hot in this country.
4.3. The zero article for meals
(1) What did you have for breakfast?
(2) Sam has invited the Johnsons to dinner.
(3) James has invited Suzan for supper.
(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
(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.
** Way sat at home, but we omit to after come and go: They went home.
(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
(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
Examples:
(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
Example: I'm feeling a bit off colour. (= "not very well")
4.7. The zero article in noun + preposition + noun idioms
Examples:
(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
Example: 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.
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