Zero Article for intermediate learners
Some nouns and noun phrases are used with no articles preceding them. In this article, we will learn about them.
What Is Zero Article?
Zero article refers to a situation when we do not use 'a, an, the' (an article) before a noun or noun phrase.
Why Do We Use Zero Article?
Sometimes, we do not use any articles because it is not necessary to use them. For Example:
I play
I called him at
When Do We Use Zero Article
With the following nouns, we usually do not use any articles:
- Games and sport
- Meals
- Languages
- Names
- Days of the week, months
- Abstract nouns
Games and Sport
Before the names of sports and games, we usually do not use articles. Here are examples:
✓ He plays
✗ He plays
Meals
Before the names of the meals we eat throughout the day, we do not use articles. Here are examples:
✓ I had
✗ I had
Languages
Before the names of languages, we cannot use articles. Here are examples:
✓ He speaks
✗ He speaks
Names
With the last names or first names, we do not usually use articles. For example:
✓ I saw
✗ I saw
Days of the Week, Months
With the name of days and months, we do not use articles. For example:
✓ He was born in
✗ He was born in
Abstract Nouns
With abstract nouns, we do not use articles. Check out the examples:
✓ We all look for
✗ We all look for
Review
Sometimes there is no need to use any articles so we use zero article. Here are the most common occasions in which we do not use articles.
- Games and sport
- Meals
- Languages
- Names
- Days, months
- Abstract nouns
Comments
