No article, or zero article as it is usually called, is definitely a form of article.
I think this may also have to do with whether the person is from a large city that has many hospitals or not.In British English, I've only ever heard "at the university" used to describe physical location. Thanks for contributing an answer to English Language Learners Stack Exchange! So to answer, it depends which style you are speaking.We don't use an article before certain nouns (places) when we talk about being at the place for its 'normal purpose'.I have something to say what I had read somewhere in PEU by Swan.
This is the talk page for discussing improvements to the Article (grammar) article.
Discuss the workings and policies of this site In Southern English usage (Be aware that 'British' English comes in many flavours) I think that "I went to hospital" is used when discussing medical treatment ("I went to hospital to have my gall bladder removed, but they really messed the operation up..."), "I went to the hospital" is used when it is about motion or travel ("I went to the hospital this morning, and then to the shops"). Article (grammar) has been listed as a level-5 vital article in an unknown topic. There is a fancy linguistic term "anarthrous" that describes words that appear without a definite or indefinite article. English Language & Usage Stack Exchange works best with JavaScript enabled The rule in English (but not American) is that if the word begins with a consonant, it has ‘a’; but if it begins with a vowel, then it is ‘an’. A/an and the - English Grammar Today - a reference to written and spoken English grammar and usage - Cambridge Dictionary site design / logo © 2020 Stack Exchange Inc; user contributions licensed under Learn more about hiring developers or posting ads with us
I said, what I remember. Both are correct. In a hospital. Sorry, we no longer support Internet Explorer Put new text under old text.
In English grammar, a pronoun is a word that takes the place of a noun, noun phrase, or noun clause. Sorry, we no longer support Internet Explorer This article has been rated as Unassessed-Class. Were she to say he's gone to hospital it might suggest at … This is a British English vs American English difference. (8 answers) "in hospital" is more likely BrE, while Americans say "in a/the hospital" instead. By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our To subscribe to this RSS feed, copy and paste this URL into your RSS reader. Anybody can ask a question So, instead of the sentence: "Give the book to me," you would replace the definite article, "the," as well as the noun it modifies, "book," with the pronoun, "it," to yield the sentence: "Give it to me." Following link sheds light on it. Swan is an English author.
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This is a personal observation, not a systematic study, but thinking about how the two constructions would be used, it 'feels' right. But to omit the article with hospital, I believe implies an overnight stay. Start here for a quick overview of the site If you can improve it, please do. The word ‘hospital’ begins with an (see below) ‘h’ sound, so it is ‘a hospital’. Stack Exchange network consists of 177 Q&A communities including Remember, it is the sound not the spelling which is important. So "in hospital… English Language & Usage Meta Use A before words such as "European" or "university" which sound like they start with a consonant even if the first letter is a vowel. Featured on Meta Click here to start a new topic. Anybody can answer By using our site, you acknowledge that you have read and understand our English Language Learners Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for speakers of other languages learning English. According to the dictionary, hospital is a singular count noun, so we should use an article before one. English Language Learners Meta
Learn more about Stack Overflow the company Detailed answers to any questions you might have English Language Learners Stack Exchange works best with JavaScript enabled Detailed answers to any questions you might have It only takes a minute to sign up.Swan provides the following examples (Second editions/unit 134/2):Will you come and visit me in hospital when I have my operation?It is a matter of different English styles.
Also use A before letters and numbers which sound like they begin with a consonant, such as "U", "J", "1" or "9".
In America, people mostly have a specific general practitioner to see first when they get ill.
I'll complete the note once it's accessible (I'm out these days!)
If I had a day appointment at the hospital (in Britain), my wife might say to the neighbour he has gone to the hospital to have his arm x-rayed.
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