Zero article
We do not normally use «the» with the following words:
Television
We don’t use the definite article when we mean a way of broadcasting pictures and sounds in the form of programs that people can watch. However, when we mean a particular television set, we use «the».
What’s on television tonight?
Can you turn off the television? I’m not watching it.
Breakfast / lunch / dinner
Have you finished breakfast yet?
Dinner is ready!
Next / last + week / month / winter / Sunday etc.
I’m going on holiday next week.
Did you enjoy the party last weekend?
We usually omit the definite article in the following expressions.
|
(go) to work |
|
(be) at work |
|
start work |
|
finish work |
Where is Sheila? She’s at work. She’s working till late this week.
I usually start work at 9 and finish at 6.
|
(go) to school |
|
(be) at school |
|
start school |
|
leave school |
Where are the children? They are still at school.
I didn’t like going to school when I was a kid.
|
(go) to university / college |
|
(be) at university / college |
Mike wants to go to university when he leaves school.
|
(go) to hospital |
|
(be) in hospital |
My elder sister caught a terrible cold last week. She is now in hospital.
|
(go) to prison |
|
(be) in prison |
How long has her father been in prison?
|
(go) to church |
|
(be) in / at church |
Mrs. Clark wasn’t at church this Sunday.
|
(go) to bed |
|
(be) in bed |
I’m always in bed before midnight.
|
(go) home |
|
(be) at home |
It’s getting dark. Let’s go home.
Упражнения
Beginner
Elementary
Pre-intermediate
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