Questions tagged [zero-article]
For questions about noun phrases that contain no articles, definite or indefinite.
278
questions
8
votes
4answers
847 views
Are all article combinations valid patterns for “the” ɴᴏᴜɴ of “the” ɴᴏᴜɴ?
Please consider:
We should pay attention to the quality of the presentation.
We should pay attention to the quality of presentation.
We should pay attention to quality of presentation.
We should pay ...
0
votes
2answers
39 views
Definite Article use before contract names and numbers
I've been struggling with the definite article and its usage in contracts' names. Please comment and explain, I would appreciate any help!
P.S. Language of origin is Russian.
Examples of the ...
0
votes
1answer
24 views
Enlgish Article “the” vs no article
Consider the sentence below.
The total mass is the sum of the mass of all components.
I do not understand why definite article "the" is followed by the word "mass."
Why the word "mass" is specific?...
1
vote
2answers
69 views
Why does the English language need the definite article to refer unique items?
Isn't that obvious what we are talking about in the following sentences?
If it is obvious, why we need an extra word in there?
The world is beautiful.
World is beautiful.
The pope said these words.
...
3
votes
1answer
73 views
English Definite Article “the” with “Same”
I know we often use the English article "the" before nouns. But I have noticed this is not always true.
According to the Oxford dictionary, "Same" is used as Adjective, Pronoun, and Adverb.
Oxford ...
1
vote
3answers
56 views
Why is there not an article before “top” in the phrase - “The duck is on top.”
I read in a children's book, Bliff’s fun phonics:
"The duck is on top."
"Top" is supposed to be countable.
Why is there not an article before "top" in the phrase?
0
votes
0answers
23 views
Definite article alongside “use”
I've got these two examples:
However, use of these drugs is discouraged by pregnant women or women trying to conceive and should be thoroughly discussed with your health care provider and ...
1
vote
1answer
32 views
Articles in front of a title
I would like to know if I should omit an article in front of a title.
For example,
NPR's Michel Martin speaks with American University professor Allan Lichtman about the prediction he made two ...
1
vote
1answer
25 views
What does “power of something” mean?
I would like to comprehend the meaning of the phrase power of art. An example, for some context:
You are a person that appreciates the power of art.
How do I use this phrase "The power of art" and ...
1
vote
1answer
52 views
“To treat someone as property” or “to treat someone as a property”?
"He treats his dog as property."
or
"He treats his dog as a property."
I suspect that the former is correct, is it?
0
votes
1answer
25 views
“Writing a business letter” vs “Writing business letters”
Am I right that we need indefinite article in this sentence:
Writing a business letter.
but we don't need any article in this sentence:
Writing business letters.
(it could be a title for a ...
0
votes
1answer
26 views
Zero Article of Countable Noun (e.g. government)
I would like to know when I can omit "the" for a countable noun.
I've come to realized once again how many accomplishments we can make when businesses and government work together.
Here, ...
0
votes
1answer
19 views
Sentence “Open in new window” in the explorer's context menu
Sure, this text comes from MS Windows explorer's context menu when you right click mouse on the folder. I am wondering if it is correct and "Open in a new window" is not more grammatical. If it is so, ...
3
votes
1answer
167 views
A question regarding using the definite article
Supposed that I already stated earlier that it was raining for while and I gave a good description of how it looked like. Now, I am wondering if I can use Rain without any articles so that only the ...
1
vote
1answer
39 views
can 'best' go without “the” here?
Best companies have best mangment.
It's not a slogan or a headline - just a sentence from a text. Is it gramatically coorrect, or you still need 'the' before 'best' here? Somehow it sounds better ...
1
vote
2answers
40 views
“If you own” or “If you own a” when talking about a product in an ad
Let's say there is a game console called Bumby that can be used to play every single game available.
"If you own Bumby, you won't need another console."
"If you own a Bumby, you won't need ...
0
votes
1answer
24 views
Zero or indefinite article
Here are the examples where zero articles are used:
Blockquote This is a tenant’s notice which does not have to be in statutory prescribed form but there is an example of how such a notice could be ...
1
vote
1answer
24 views
Why no article preceding “owner” in the phrase “owner Intercontinental Terminals Co. said”
The benzene probably arose from charred chemical tanks as overnight winds stirred remnants of their contents, owner Intercontinental Terminals Co. said.
Full source
I'm wondering why there is no ...
1
vote
1answer
47 views
Article or zero article
How to spell correctly?
On the internet write with and without an article.
Open in new tab
Open in a new tab
Examples:
Open a URL in a new tab
How to open link in new tab on html
1
vote
1answer
123 views
Advances in compiler and virtual machine technologies
In the official java tutorial we can read:
However, advances in compiler and virtual machine technologies are bringing performance close to that of native code without threatening portability.
I ...
0
votes
1answer
23 views
Articles in 'make time for'
Does anyone know why the phrase 'make time for' uses a zero article for time? I know time is uncountable and most phrases about time use a zero article (spend time, save time, etc), however if the ...
4
votes
2answers
595 views
Article. The word “Respect”
Why is there an article in the first example and not in the second?
Oxfordlearnersdictionaries says that:
[countable] a particular aspect or detail of something
He felt a grudging respect for her ...
0
votes
1answer
28 views
The/A or no article
Is it right to say so without the article (like the first example), implying that he is engaged in his business?
If not, in what situations can not use the article, as in the first example?
He is ...
0
votes
1answer
37 views
The/A or no article: Fishing line
Does the word fishing line have a plural? Wikipedia says that there is a plural, and in the Longman Dictionary it is uncountable.
There are no articles in similar sentences:
Canada Goose ...
0
votes
1answer
58 views
Development VS A development
This a brief description of a software project I was involved in:
Project description:
Development of market analysts's applications. [These applications allow you to ...]
Is it correct to ...
0
votes
1answer
48 views
Article or no article. The word “Stage”
How to understand whether it is necessary to put the article before this word and before other words like this?
Dictionaries like this(enter link description here) don't give explanations or something ...
0
votes
1answer
28 views
Article or no article?
Why not use the article?
The starting point of all achievements is the/a desire
10
votes
5answers
2k views
A or no article? “He is_____ racist.”
Why in most cases do not put the article "a", when you enter the sentence in the search?
In the example on this site, the article is adding (OALD (American English))
Just enter in the search and you ...
0
votes
1answer
32 views
The or no article [closed]
Why not put the article for example in this sentence?
The man of the match
1
vote
1answer
22 views
A or no article?
Why does the article apply here, although the word poses is plural?
I have my digital camera, I force your mother to make a million poses.
The phrase from the song:) (Motherlover)
0
votes
1answer
23 views
The use of the definite article before the adjective “basic” and a noun in context
Tell me please if I need to use the in the following sentence.
I don't speak English fluently, but I know (the) basic grammar pretty well.
I am in doubt whether to use the or not, because, for one ...
14
votes
1answer
1k views
“The,” or no article: “All _____ time.”
What is the difference? Or is it grammatically wrong?
all time
or
all the time
And if you make such a proposal, it will be wrong?
The best artists of the time (When you add the article the ...
0
votes
1answer
20 views
“spirit of the law” VS “spirit of the laws” VS “spirit of law”
we should uphold the spirit of the laws to build a society based on the rule of law.
we should uphold the spirit of the law to build a society based on the rule of law.
we should uphold the spirit ...
0
votes
2answers
37 views
Where “a/the” aren't used?
Here is simple test with Google:
Search "virtualization of hardware" (with quotes) - it will be 73600 results.
"virtualization of a hardware" (with quotes) - 75 results
"virtualization of the ...
1
vote
1answer
44 views
“The“, or no article: ”In the one hour"
Is it possible to use the article in the sentence below implying during this particular hour? or is it optional?
In the one hour
0
votes
1answer
1k views
Give feedback or give a feedback?
I see "Give us a feedback" sometimes in software written by non-native English speakers and it sounds wrong to me, I think the article should not be there. Am I right? Perhaps for the same reason as ...
2
votes
1answer
521 views
Definite article before “office”
Consider the following sentence:
I do not go to the office.
Is this correct English? Can I drop the article? My guess is that then it would mean that there's no office I can go to. And original ...
2
votes
1answer
84 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
30 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
56 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
84 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
33 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
78 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
52 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
51 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
278 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 ...
1
vote
1answer
45 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
105 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
31 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 ...
