Questions tagged [zero-article]
For questions about noun phrases that contain no articles, definite or indefinite.
270
questions
1
vote
1answer
21 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
31 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
20 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
142 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
37 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
38 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
21 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
41 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
122 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
20 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
588 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
36 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
35 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
42 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
22 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
31 views
The or no article [closed]
Why not put the article for example in this sentence?
The man of the match
1
vote
1answer
21 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
20 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
17 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
33 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
42 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
486 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
235 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
81 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
69 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
29 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
68 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
49 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
157 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
43 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
96 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 ...
1
vote
1answer
61 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
66 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
134 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
48 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
31 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
646 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
162 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 ...
2
votes
2answers
73 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?...
