12.1.3 The zero article (-)
We use the term zero article when a noun is not preceded by a definite article (the) or indefinite article (a, an).
The zero article with proper names
A proper name is normally not preceded by an article:
Turner is my favourite painter.
Where's Peter?
Uncle Jerry visited us the other day.
The zero article with names of places and institutions
Names of places and institutions which consist of a proper name and another noun do not take an article:
Johns Hopkins University
Trafalgar Square
Victoria Station
George Washington Bridge
JFK Airport
The zero article with meals
Names of meals normally do not take an article:
Did you have breakfast this morning?
I'll have fruit for lunch.
Let's go out for dinner tonight.
But if there is an adjective before the name of the meal or a phrase or clause after it, an article is used:
The breakfast that they served was fabulous.
I had a quick lunch at Wendy's.
That was the most delicious dinner I've had in a while.
The zero article with names of days, months, seasons, holidays and parts of the day
Names of days, months, seasons and holidays are normally not preceded by an article:
on Monday
in March
in summer
at Christmas
The same is true for certain parts of the day (with the exception of in the morning/afternoon/evening):
at noon
at night
at midnight
before dusk
after sunset
at sunrise
But if there is an adjective before the noun or a phrase or clause after it, the noun usually takes an article:
on the Monday of that week
the summer I met my future husband
the best Christmas I've ever had
it was a beautiful sunset
The zero article with names of pubs, restaurants etc. ending in 'S
Names of pubs, restaurants etc. that use the possessive 's construction do not take an article:
We went to Maggie's last night.
Let's meet at Jack's Diner.
The zero article with names of sports, games and activities
Names of sports, games and activities are not preceded by an article:
I love swimming.
Rummy is definitely much more difficult than solitaire.
She suggested playing Activity.
The zero article with geographical names
Certain geographical names do not take an article:
Continents
Africa
Antarctica
Asia
Australia
Europe
North America
South America
But:
the Americas (North and South America)
the Antarctic
the Arctic
Names of countries
Most country names do not take an article:
Chile
France
Kazakhstan
Namibia
New Zealand
But:
the Czech Republic
the Netherlands
the People's Republic of China
the Philippines
the United Kingdom (UK)
the United States of America (USA)
Lakes
Lake Geneva
Lake Lopnor
Lake Michigan
Lake Victoria
Loch Ness
Mountain peaks
Mawson Peak
Mont Blanc
(Mount) Everest
Mount Kenya
Mount Washington
But:
the Matterhorn
Cities
Beijing
Bucharest
New York
Reykjavík
Rio de Janeiro
But:
the Hague
the Vatican
Streets and roads
Downing Street
Michigan Avenue
But:
the High Street
the Mall
the E5
The zero article with places
Nouns that refer to certain places and institutions do not take an article when we are talking about the purpose they are used for:
The children are at school. (studying)
What time do you usually go to bed? (to sleep)
The murderer was sentenced to 10 years in prison. (as a punishment)
Other examples are:
church
class
college
court
hospital
market
town
university
But if we mean the place (usually the building) itself, the definite article the is used:
He went to the bed to check if the children were sleeping.
In 1985, there was a fire in the school.
The prison is outside of the city.