- We generally do not use ‘The’ before abstract nouns unless they are described in a particular sense:
- Men respect life and fear death. (abstract noun)
- The death of his father shattered the entire family. (used in a particular sense)
- Before names of games: Cricket, Tennis, Golf
- When we say something about or describing nature, where it means the spirit creating and motivating the world of animals and plants etc.
- If you do not take care of nature now, your next generation will suffer for it.
- I think Mother Nature is going through a worse phase because of global warming.
- Home: When we use home alone in a sentence i.e, is not preceded or followed by a phrase or descriptive word, the is omitted:
- She is at home now. You can go and
see her.
- She went home early.
- My brother arrived home after dark.
- Court, church/temple/synagogue/mosque, bed, hospital, prison, school/college/university:
We do not use the before the nouns listed above when these places are visited or used for their primary purpose.
- My mother usually goes to bed
before 11. (her sleeping pattern)
- Let’s meet at church/temple/synagogue/mosque. (for prayer)
- When the litigant reached court, he realized leaving important papers behind. (in the case matter)
- While returning from school, we decided to visit the dog shelter. ( from school after studying)
- Sea: As a sailor when you go to sea, the is omitted. Or maybe as passengers
or crew, we omit the.
- The commanding officer is going to sea next month and replace his colleague.
- I still remember we were at sea last year this time.
However, when we live near the sea or seaside, we do not omit the.
- Work and office:
- She is on her way to work.
- Men are at work.
- We are getting delayed for a movie because Alex has not returned from work yet.
Office ( a place of work) requires the: Please call me afterward as she is not in the office.
To be in office without the means to hold an official post.
- Town: Are you in town tomorrow? Oh yes, you can drop in. ( it does not come with the)