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Simon_phlui Posted 22 years ago
Grammar
When to omit "the"
I know that we need to put "a/an" or "the" in front of a
singular count noun. However, I also know that there
are lots of exceptions like:
"I go to school", "I come by bus", "I play football"
Apart from just memorizing all these exceptions, is
there a general rule that I can use to decide when
the article can be omitted? Thanks.
singular count noun. However, I also know that there
are lots of exceptions like:
"I go to school", "I come by bus", "I play football"
Apart from just memorizing all these exceptions, is
there a general rule that I can use to decide when
the article can be omitted? Thanks.
Top answer
' i go to school ' the ' the ' is not omitted. it is not there at all to use ' the ' for school unless school is not for study but for other purposes. eg.
- ' i go to school ' the ' the ' is not omitted.
- it is not there at all to use ' the ' for school unless school is not for study but for other purposes.
- eg.
- I planned to hold a meeting at ' the ' school this time..
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6 Answers
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' i go to school '
the ' the ' is not omitted. it is not there at all
to use ' the ' for school unless school is not for study but for other purposes.
eg. I planned to hold a meeting at ' the ' school this time..
the ' the ' is not omitted. it is not there at all
to use ' the ' for school unless school is not for study but for other purposes.
eg. I planned to hold a meeting at ' the ' school this time..
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Can I say that in "I go to school", school is in some sense
an uncount noun, just representing a state or activity?
But even so, there is still a lot of inconsistency in the use
of articles in English, e.g. Why do we say
"I play the piano" but "I play football"
"I go to the beach" but "I go to school"
What I'm interested in is the rule behind the selec
an uncount noun, just representing a state or activity?
But even so, there is still a lot of inconsistency in the use
of articles in English, e.g. Why do we say
"I play the piano" but "I play football"
"I go to the beach" but "I go to school"
What I'm interested in is the rule behind the selec
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Can I say that in "I go to school", school is in some sense
an uncount noun, just representing a state or activity?
Yes, that's exactly what's happening. And this is really all you need to know to extrapolate your examples:
"I play the piano" is acceptable, but so is "I play piano". In fact, "I play piano" is better, because "I play the piano" is
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I am only asked to remember some words that don't take ' the ' 
strange in my grammar book. Regarding ' the piano ', the
strange in my grammar book. Regarding ' the piano ', the 00
What is correct
She can also play sitar and harp.'
or
she can also play a sitar and a harp.
or she can also play a sitar and harp.
She can also play sitar and harp.'
or
she can also play a sitar and a harp.
or she can also play a sitar and harp.
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Hi Simon,
There is a short guide to omitting the article by the BBC World Service here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/youmeus/learnit/learnitv97.shtm
There is a short guide to omitting the article by the BBC World Service here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/youmeus/learnit/learnitv97.shtm
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