Omission of Articles
- Before the common nouns man, woman, god, heaven, hell, when used in general sence
- Man is mortal but God is immortal
- Man proposes but god disposes
- Everybody wants to go to heaven but nobody wants to die
- Note : But when particularized 'the' definite article is used.
- The man who is standing at the door is my uncle
- When it means one, the indefinite article is used.
- There is a man at the door
- Before abstract nouns, when generalized
- Honesty is the best policy
- Beauty should lie in one's heart
- Bravery is the sign of man
- Note : But when these are particularized, THE is used
- The honesty the auto-driver showed was finally rewarded
- Before material nouns when Generalized
- Water is essential for all
- Sugar is sweet
- Wood is used for making furniture
- Gold is a precious metal
- But when particularized, THE definite article is used
- The water in this pond is pure
- The gold used for making this chain was 22 carat
- Before places like Church, Temple, Mosque, School, College, University, Hostel, Library, Class, Hospital, Jail (Prison) etc. When they are visited for their primary purpose
- ☓ He was an atheist, but now a days he is going to the church
- ✔ He was an atheist, but now a days he is going to church
- ☓ You should go to the school regularly in-order to get good marks
- ✔ You should go to school regularly in-order to get good marks
- ✔ I went to the church to meet my friend (here i dint go for the primary purpose(prayer))
- ✔ The man was put in jail for killing a woman
- ✔ The injured were taken to hospital
- ☓ The injured were taken to the hospital
- But when these places are visited for their secondary purpose the definite article should be used.
- He went to the temple to meet the priest
- My father came to the school to talk to my class teacher
- I went to the hospital to see and console a patient
- But when it means one, the indefinite article is used
- There is a school at the end of the street
- Before Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch, Dinner etc, when used in general sense
- we usually take lunch at 1
- Breakfast is served between 7 and 9
- But when these are particularized, by an adjective, the indefinite article is used.
- We had a delicious lunch yesterday (here the lunch is particularized, so we used an indefinite article "a")
- We are going to have a healthy breakfast
- Before plural nouns, when generalized
- Tigers are ferocious animals
- Cows are domestic animals
- Children like chocolates
- Note : Here if we represent singular instead of plural, then we should use articles
- The tiger is a ferocious animal
- A tiger is a ferocious animal
- Tigers are ferocious animals
- In expressions like Go to bed, Take heart, Lose heart, Send word, Set fire
- Please switch off all the lights before going to bed (not going to the bed)
- Dont lose heart when you are on the verge of danger (not lose the heart)
- The house was set on fire (not on the fire)
That's all for now friends, prepare well. Good day
