Questions tagged [zero-article]
For questions about noun phrases that contain no articles, definite or indefinite.
2
votes
1answer
64 views
“I am machine” without an article?
I have a question about lyrics of a song "I Am Machine" by Three Days Grace.
I mentioned that they used no article in this song. Is it grammatically okay to say "I am machine" without an article and ...
1
vote
2answers
27 views
What article do we need in this example?
They offer several payment methods, one of them being a credit card.
They offer several payment methods, one of them being the credit card.
They offer several payment methods, one of them being credit ...
0
votes
2answers
49 views
Zero Article Usage on Dissertation Title Page?
I'm close to finishing my Ph.D. at a state university and the required text on the dissertation title page appears incorrect to me.
As specified by the university graduate college, the required text ...
2
votes
1answer
43 views
“the role of guide” or “the role of a guide”?
While Heaphy was in the role of hawk-eyed, sure-handed, specimen-procuring guide, Hochstetter, Haast and their colleagues were delighted by him and quick to sing his praises. (source)
This sentence ...
1
vote
1answer
25 views
The omission of articles before the word “year” in context
Here is the context:
Christmas is an especially difficult time of (a) year, but my kids and my husband have been really supportive and I'm much better now.
It is from this article. I am aware that ...
2
votes
1answer
37 views
'The' vs zero article with 'Roman numerals'
What article, zero or definite, will be grammatically correct in the sentence below and why?
How is the number 5 written in ___ Roman numerals?
My answer was the zero article only, however my ...
0
votes
1answer
44 views
Why didn't they use the definite article before these words in this paragraph?
Last night, I was reading this article:
The article
Ok, probably you cannot download the paper then I toke a screenshot and uploaded it here for you:
Please read this paragraph(Highlighted in the ...
1
vote
1answer
37 views
Why no articles preceding picture in “take picture after picture”?
Harry looked into the stands. Colin was sitting in one of the highest seats, his camera raised, taking picture after picture, the sound strangely magnified in the deserted stadium.
I can probably ...
3
votes
1answer
48 views
“he was nobody” VS “he was a nobody”
Nobody, as a countable noun, can mean "a very unimportant person" as in:
A man in my position has nothing to fear from a nobody like you.
But I don't quite sure about this example from the free ...
0
votes
1answer
27 views
Why does the definite article appear in “the mid-40s”?
Why is the definite article used before mid-40s and 30s in this sentence from a Washington Post weather report?
Highs are mainly limited to the mid-40s, with wind chills in the 30s so bundle up.
I ...
1
vote
1answer
84 views
Is the definite article missing before “head position”?
Problems in the inner ear — where head position is perceived — are the most common cause of nystagmus, usually accompanied by vertigo. (source)
According to Macmillan Dictionary (marked as countable) ...
0
votes
1answer
30 views
Article omission regarding specific theories in science
I am writing a paper which involves references to different theories.
I wonder if you should use an article before, for example "social exchange theory" or not. I searched for it on Google Books and ...
9
votes
2answers
2k views
Is Vietnamese a noun or an adjective?
If I say I am Vietnamese. Is Vietnamese a noun or an adjective? According to OALD, Vietnamese can be a noun or an adjective. If it’s a noun, why don’t we say I am a Vietnamese? Because its meaning is ...
1
vote
1answer
47 views
Why the indefinite article is not used before institutions when we think of the general idea of these places?
I don't understand why the indefinite article is not used before institutions (prison, hospital, university, college, church, etc.) when we think of the general idea of these places and what they are ...
0
votes
1answer
60 views
article: excellence on [the] stage?
Is the bracketed definite article correctly used in the following?
The Tony Awards recognize excellence on [the] stage and behind the scenes.
A colleague wrote it, but the dictionaries I've ...
5
votes
1answer
78 views
Zero article before a noun
Please kindly help me understand the rules under which zero articles are used before the nouns appearing to be countable in these examples:
As will be explained in [para] 2.3, several different ...
5
votes
1answer
35 views
condition - a / no article
Why in some cases condition is used with an article and in some cases with no article?
For example:
Considering its age, this house is in excellent condition.
He was in a terrible condition ...
0
votes
1answer
26 views
Grammatically Correct? {Verb} {Plural Noun} For {Productive Noun} [closed]
Sentence #1 Why do game engines use gimbals for rotation?
Sentence #2 Don't use gimbals for rotation.
Grammarly says the 1st sentence is wrong, but no correction pops up on the 2nd sentence. Is ...
2
votes
1answer
59 views
“of high quality” or “of a high quality”
I would like to know which expression is the right one:
they are of high quality OR they are of a high quality.
5
votes
4answers
113 views
Why can articles be omitted in this sentence?
But all the while, he lived in the guesthouse where authorities believe he turned from con man to killer. (source)
This seems to be a case of article elision. Why can articles be dropped before "con ...
0
votes
0answers
22 views
“This time of year” v “this time of the year”
It seems to me "this time of year" is the idiomatic and common phrase of the two. Why is "this time of the year" wrong? Isn't there a song by Andy Williams called It's the Most Wonderful Time of the ...
2
votes
2answers
68 views
in factory - zero article?
In an English grammar book I found this sentence:
Sarah got a job in factory.
Is the absence of an article legitimate here?
I would say the correct usage would be: ... in a factory.
Am I correct?...
1
vote
1answer
115 views
What's the meaning of “whatever you are, you are woman”?
Whatever you are, you
are woman.
In the first look the meaning of the phrase seems clear, but it's hard to get. I wonder why the writer didn't say, "whatever you are, you are a woman.
Could you ...
2
votes
1answer
108 views
The police or police [duplicate]
He must have called the police.
OR
He must have called police.
I think we use the first one when we know about a specific group of police officers which we have called and the second one, when, ...
0
votes
1answer
25 views
Zero article before adjectival nouns with the word “or” between them
Tell me please why the speaker ommited the in the following sentence.
I want all to have a share of everything, and everything be in common. There will no longer be either (the) rich or (the) poor.
...
4
votes
2answers
126 views
Using the definite article in “I love the people who make me laugh.”
What's the difference between the two following sentences and which one is grammatical? Should I use the definite article in the second sentence?
I love people who make me laugh.
I love the ...
6
votes
2answers
59 views
The definite article in phrases with “from”?
So, I learned that you use the definite article with specific nouns and no article with plurals or general nouns. In my practice book, there's an example that confuses me. It is a task where you have ...
0
votes
1answer
45 views
Zero article after the phrase “speaking of”
Tell me please why the speaker left out an article after the phrase speaking of in the following sentence. It is from Crash Course Big Hisory. It is at 2 minute and 32 second.
Some questions can ...
1
vote
1answer
42 views
Premodifying adjectives and proper noun countability
Secondhand PC hardware is incomparable with brand new Raspberry Pi.
In this sentence, is it correct to say brand new Raspberry Pi without making it countable? That is, a brand new Raspberry Pi or ...
2
votes
1answer
36 views
“the idea of consequence” or “the idea of a consequence”?
I came across a sentence in an online dictionary:
[R]ather, it should be used to convey the idea of powerful, dramatic consequence.
Why is it not the idea of a powerful, dramatic consequence? ...
1
vote
1answer
283 views
The use of the definite article with the names of bridges and zoos in American English
Do the names of bridges and zoos take the definite article in American English? The sources I've explored so far seem to be somewhat contradictory to this question. Maybe someone could suggest the ...
1
vote
2answers
120 views
Zero article before countable nouns in context
I have happened upone it in last episode of Crash Course A&P. It is at 42 second. Here it goes:
Now, it becomes the business of your cell-mediated response, or cellular immune response. And ...
1
vote
1answer
76 views
Company name with the definite article
I have learned that names can be without an article. This is from Wikipedia:
The Volkswagen Golf Mk7 (also known as the Golf VII[4]) is a compact
car
I would wrote this sentence with the zero ...
2
votes
1answer
119 views
Article before common noun + proper noun (e.g., “mission Foo”)?
Should I use an article before a combination of common noun and proper noun, like in the case of "mission Apollo" or "level X"?
Context: I am writing (casual academic prose) about the fact that the ...
0
votes
1answer
28 views
which is correct “ The dreams often portray…” or “ Dreams ofthen portray…”
The dreams often portray.. or Dreams often portray..
which out of two is correct way to start this sentence, thank you
16
votes
2answers
2k views
“He gave the order to abandon ship.” - why no article?
The entry for "abandon" in the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary contains the following example sentence:
He gave the order to abandon ship (= to leave the ship because it was sinking).
I ...
3
votes
2answers
76 views
Why is “the” not used with “Angkor Wat”?
I saw an answer to an exercise on EnglishPage:
"Travel Magazine" did an extremely interesting article on the world's most amazing buildings. If I remember correctly, the first building on the list ...
1
vote
3answers
155 views
Which of the following is grammatically correct?
Talking on the phone or Talking on phone.
Do they have different nuances? If so, then which one should be used when and under what circumstances?
1
vote
1answer
19 views
Whether every noun needs one article to describe one person
He was an exceptional planner, an amazing teacher and friend
Well, I have little doubts about the articles in this sentence.It has articles before two of the nouns and the third is left out. Doesn't ...
1
vote
1answer
70 views
Difference between 'most' and 'most of the'
I am not sure when I use "most" and "most of the" in a sentence. For example:
Most people / Most of the people in India are not aware of the availability of top-up covers to supplement basic health ...
0
votes
1answer
36 views
Correct article to use before noun + preposition
May you give me an explanation on what's the difference if I say these following sentences :
Cream is a part of milk that contains fat.
And
Cream is the part of milk that contains fat.
1
vote
1answer
50 views
'Level' - no article? With an article?
The world 'level' is a bit tricky for me as it appears either with or without the definite article. I'm trying to understand when I can get rid of the definite article and when it should stay. I ...
4
votes
1answer
467 views
Is the begining of the sentence with the zero article correct?
Can I use the zero article before Video in the following sentence? If yes, then why.
Video baby monitor is also great for prevention from sudden infant
death syndrome (SIDS).
2
votes
3answers
1k views
“A special interest” vs. “special interests”
I’m writing a short paragraph about myself. I find it hard to determine what article I should use in this following sentence:
I have a special interest in learning languages, computer programming, ...
6
votes
3answers
345 views
Why is there no article in “We are Family”?
Sister Sledge - We Are Family - YouTube
I've searched on YouTube a song named 'We are Family'
Why use the sentence without an article 'a' or 'the'?
0
votes
2answers
104 views
Using articles before noun phrases
Since the “Great Recession” of 2007-09, the world’s major central banks have kept short-term interest rates at near-zero levels. In the United States, even after the Federal Reserve’s recent increases,...
2
votes
2answers
369 views
Definite article vs. no article in front of plant names used generically
There's a rule that when we use a noun generically, we either put the definite article in front of it or use the plural form:
The tiger is in danger of becoming extinct.
Tigers are in danger ...
1
vote
2answers
100 views
Omitting “the” in this context
I have a question related to "the." There is a situation like this: My friend, while writing, is asking me what it is (and points at a black dot thinking that I wanted to write something). What should ...
0
votes
0answers
57 views
Why is the definite article “the” used in this sentence?
Explain how the addition and removal of energy can cause a phase change.
Is it still correct or does it still mean the same if the definite article "the" is removed and zero article is used instead ...
2
votes
2answers
81 views
Does every singular countable noun must be used with an article with it?
Source
There are categories of nouns like:proper nouns, common nouns, material nouns, compound nouns, countable nouns, uncountable(nouns) or mass nouns, collective nouns, concrete nouns, abstract ...
