LoginZero Article For Intermediate learners
In this lesson, discover how the zero article is used to refer to nouns without "a," "an," or "the." Improve with simple explanations and easy examples.
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 football every day.
I called him at midnight.
When Do We Use Zero Article
The following is a list of groups of nouns that normally do not require an article:
Games and sport
Meals
Languages
Names
Days of the week and months
Abstract nouns
Games and Sport
We usually do not need to use articles before the names of sports and games. Here are some examples:
✓ He plays tennis.
✗ He plays the tennis.
Meals
Before the names of the meals we eat throughout the day, we do not use articles. Here are examples:
✓ I had dinner at nine.
✗ I had the dinner at nine.
Languages
Before the names of languages, we cannot use articles. Here are examples:
✓ He speaks French.
✗ He speaks the French.
Names
We usually do not use articles with first names or last names of people. For example:
✓ I saw Amanda last night.
✗ I saw an Amanda last night.
Days of the Week and Months
With the name of days and months, we do not need to use articles. For example:
✓ He was born in July.
✗ He was born in the July.
Abstract Nouns
With abstract nouns, we do not use articles. Check out the examples:
✓ We all look for happiness.
✗ We all look for a happiness.
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
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