Grammar

Zero Article (No Article)

Use no article with plural and uncountable nouns when talking generally, and with most names of people, countries, meals, languages, and abstract ideas.

Post

Level A2 Articles

Summary

Use no article with plural and uncountable nouns when talking generally, and with most names of people, countries, meals, languages, and abstract ideas.

Structure

(no article) + plural / uncountable / general noun

Examples

Common mistakes

• Don't add 'the' for general statements: NOT 'The life is hard' → 'Life is hard.'
• Don't use articles before most country and language names: NOT 'the English is useful' → 'English is useful.'

Related

The (Definite Article) A / An (Indefinite Article)

More articles

A / An (Indefinite Article) A1

Use 'a' or 'an' before singular countable nouns when you mention something for the first time or talk about it in a general, non-specific way. Use 'a' before a consonant sound and 'an' before a vowel sound.

The (Definite Article) A2

Use 'the' when it is clear which specific thing you mean — because it was already mentioned, is unique, or is known from the situation.

Much, Many, A Lot Of A2

Use 'many' with countable nouns and 'much' with uncountable nouns, usually in questions and negatives. 'A lot of' works with both and is common in positive statements.

A Few and A Little A2

'A few' means a small but positive amount with countable nouns; 'a little' does the same for uncountable nouns. Without 'a', 'few' and 'little' sound more negative.

All, Every, Each B1

'All' refers to a whole group together; 'every' and 'each' look at members one by one. 'Every' takes a singular noun and a singular verb, as does 'each'.

Both, Either, Neither B1

These words talk about two things. 'Both' means the two together, 'either' means one or the other, and 'neither' means not one and not the other.

External links

markdown