To talk about things in general, you use a plural or uncountable noun with no article. You can also use the with a singular noun to talk about a whole group (you find this in scientific, academic and legal writing, because of the topics), and with musical instruments and services.
When you say something about a whole group or a whole kind of thing, use a plural noun or an uncountable noun with no article. This is also called the zero article.
A plural or uncountable noun with no article in this meaning talks about the whole group. Compare with the, which talks about particular things that both people know.
| General: no article | Particular: the |
|---|---|
| Books are expensive. | The books on that shelf are expensive. |
| I love coffee. | The coffee in this café is excellent. |
| Cars pollute the air. | The cars outside are very loud. |
You can also talk about a whole kind of animal, plant or thing with the + a singular countable noun. It means the same as the plural with no article. You find this use in scientific, academic and legal writing. It is not formal in itself.
The plural with no article (Owls are night birds) says the same thing about the whole kind.
When you say that someone plays or learns a musical instrument, the usual pattern is the. In American English, you will also hear no article: She studies violin. Both patterns are correct.
Use the with a system or service that everyone knows.
Use the with some adjectives to talk about a group of people: the rich, the poor, the elderly, the unemployed.
✗Tiger lives in Asia.
✓Tigers live in Asia. / The tiger lives in Asia.
A singular countable noun cannot stand alone with no article, even in a general statement.
✗The life is not always easy.
✓Life is not always easy.
For life in general, use no article. The life would point to one particular life, for example the life of a fisherman.
For a, an and the in specific cases, see A, an or the?: introducing and identifying. For places and institutions with no article, see School, hospital, bed and work: with or without the and No article (zero article). For names, see Names with and without the: people, places, buildings and more.
Eight questions. Choose one answer for each.