The zero article

I’ve noticed that many people do not have time to learn about articles. They’re just not bothered, frankly. But, if you don’t use articles correctly, there will be grammatical errors in your presentations, emails and reports.

This is the third post on articles. In the previous posts, we looked at the indefinite and definite articles.

And now, for the grand finale.

Let us find out about that most mysterious article of all, the third type of article, known as the zero article.

To see the zero article, click twice inside the golden frame below. You will have to click twice, quickly. And then focus on the empty space within the frame. (Make sure you look at all parts of the frame, especially the corners.)

Are you ready? Go ahead.

Did you see the zero article?

What?

Are you saying that nothing happened?

Well, in a sense, that is true.

You see, the zero article is invisible.

Before we talk more about this type of article we need to be clear about two concepts.

Read these two definitions:

1. Abstract nouns–An abstract noun is a noun that you cannot touch, see, smell, hear, or taste. For example, peace, love, and imagination are abstract nouns.
2. Plural count nouns–These are nouns that can be counted. Examples are: masks, beds, and vampires. You can say I see: five masks, three beds, and two vampires.

Did you get that?

Okay then.

We use the zero article before an abstract noun or before a plural count noun.

Simple as that.

Here are two sentences where we use the zero article.

Imagination is the need of the hour.

I don’t meet vampires after sunset.

In both these sentences, there is a zero article before the noun–imagination (abstract noun); vampires (plural count noun).

We are almost done here. I need to tell you about the times when we use the definite article the before an abstract noun or a plural count noun.

We use it when talking about something specific.

For instance: The imagination of a child is limitless.

Or: The vampires in my hometown are quite harmless.

In both these sentences, we are referring to a specific type of noun–the imagination of a child; the vampires from my hometown.

Now that you know about the zero article, keep an eye out for it. Not people know about this hidden article.

For more on articles, visit British Council LearnEnglish.