Introduction

Articles can be a difficult part of English to understand and include in your speech. One common rule that you can master is when to use no article–specifically, when you speak generally.

Rule

When describing general facts or rules about life, native English speakers do two things in their sentences:

1) use the plural–and not the singular–version of the object and (sometimes subject) noun; and
2) do not use an article.

Example

When commenting about athletes in general (athletes around the world, male or female, any age, etc…) we do NOT say:

*“Athlete has the strong body“

or

*“The athlete_ has the strong body“

etc…

but, we:

1) make the noun subject and object plural:

“athlete” → “athletes”

“body” → “bodies”

2) we do NOT use the article “the.”

Therefore, the correct way to say this sentence is:

“Athletes have strong bodies.”

Sample Sentences

Incorrect: “The best professors teach the student with enthusiasm.”
Correct: “The best professors teach students with enthusiasm.”

Incorrect: “I prefer salty food over the sweet dessert.”
Correct: “I prefer salty food over sweet desserts.”

Incorrect: “These laws were made to prevent violence against the woman.”
Correct: “These laws were made to prevent violence against women.”

Incorrect: “She wants to learn how to cook with the low-carb food.”
Correct: “She wants to learn how to cook with low carb foods.”

Incorrect: “I want to volunteer at the shelter, so that I can help the homeless dog.”
Correct: “I want to volunteer at the shelter, so that I can help homeless dogs.”