Till now we have learnt where should we use A , An and where should we use THE. Now we shall learn where shouldn't we use these articles. Following are the conditions where we shouldn't use any article.
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)
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