The Zero Article Mystery

Sometimes the correct article is no article at all. This "zero article" is the trickiest part for most learners, because their native language often demands one where English wants nothing.

Leave the slot empty before:

• General plural nouns: "Dogs are loyal"
• Abstract concepts: "Love is complicated"
• Languages: "She studies Japanese"

The real test is still specificity. If the noun is general rather than a particular thing you and the listener can both pin down, no article is usually right.