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Omo Posted 19 years ago
Linguistics Studies

About the omission of articles

English has a lot of set phrases with no article. eg)"on foot", "in context", "go to school", "play piano" and etc.

What sort of theories exist behind the phenomenon? Would you tell me your opinion?
  

Top answer

No theory that I am aware of. These phrases develop through use and custom.

  • No theory that I am aware of.
  • These phrases develop through use and custom.
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7 Answers
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No theory that I am aware of.

These phrases develop through use and custom.
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Feebs11No theory that I am aware of.

These phrases develop through use and custom.
Thanks for the response, Feebs11.

I need to fix them one by one in my mind.
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I am afraid you will - but then so did I as a child!
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There’re no rules; but there’re generalizations. You may omit it if:

1. A common noun is used in its wildest sense.

Ex. Man is mortal.

2. The noun is a name for a material.

Ex. Silver is a precious metal.

3.1. Before a proper noun. An article may be placed before it to turn it into a common noun.

Ex. Einstein
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Hi Buddhaheart,

1. A common noun is used in its wildest sense.

Ex. Man is mortal.

Finally, a rule that makes grammar sound exciting!
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Hi there!

Another day I was questioned by one of my students and she asked me about why not using the article "a" in the sentence above:

Bob was Doing researche

instead of "Bob was doing a researche"

Also,

about the word surgery

I've heard people saying "She had surgery"

Why not a surgery?

Is it all about count
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Hi,

The other another day I was questioned by one of my students and she asked me about why not using the article "a" in the sentence above:

Bob was Doing researche

instead of "Bob was doing a researche" Not countable.

Also,

about the word surgery

I've heard people saying "She had surgery"

Why not a surgery?

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