Which sentences are correct?
- We didn't have air conditioning.
- We didn't have the air conditioning.
- We had no air conditioning.
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Could you add a little context? All 3 sentences are grammatically correct in themselves. 1 & 3 have essentially the same meaning; 2 has a different meaning so which one you want to use depends on exactly what you're trying to say.– Nigel HarperCommented Aug 24, 2013 at 16:38
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I just wanted to say I was hot (because we didn't... etc.)– GiuseppeCommented Aug 24, 2013 at 17:02
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In that case Derek's answer is correct.– Nigel HarperCommented Aug 24, 2013 at 17:09
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2 Answers
1 or 3. There is no definite article because you are not talking about a specific air conditioner system
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2Although if you change "air conditioning" to "air conditioner", it's 2 or 3 that are correct.– J.R. ♦Commented Aug 24, 2013 at 15:23
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Without any context in the question you can't say that for sure, although the odds are pretty high that you're correct. Commented Aug 24, 2013 at 16:40
"Air conditioning" is a process, or abstract noun. Grammatically, it is similar to other abstract nouns such as "peace", "love", and "justice". Abstract nouns always take the zero article, as in your examples #1 and #3 (both of which are correct).
To change the abstract "air conditioning" noun into a concrete noun, you would say "air conditioner", which is the physical machine as opposed to the process of having the air be conditioned.
We don't have air conditioning. {zero article}
We don't have an air conditioner.