Matter is composed of atoms separated by empty space through which the atoms move...
Why isn't there an article before the words "empty space"?
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2The apparent need for an article depends somewhat on how you parse the sentence. "Matter is composed of atoms separated by empty space (through which the atoms move)" vs. "Matter is composed of atoms separated by [the empty space through which the atoms move]. – fixer1234 May 27 '17 at 3:28
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This is a really good question. A good answer will shed a lot of light on what articles mean in English. – Ben Kovitz May 27 '17 at 5:11
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It is very tricky in this case, and I still don't quite get this. Thank you and I will keep working on how to parse sentences. – Yang Welty May 27 '17 at 5:13
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By not using an article, the author is referring to a general
empty space
which is what is between all matter.
the empty space
would refer to a specific empty space.
The empty space between atoms...
The US and Europe are separated by the Atlantic Ocean.
where as
an empty space
Matter is composed of atoms separated by an empty space
would make the empty space more specific in relation to the atoms
The US and Europe are separated by an ocean.
in this case ocean is associated by its relationship to the US and Europe.
The US is separated from Europe and Japan by ocean.
in this case it is the generic ocean that is being referred to.
It also helps that empty space is noncountable.
