In this article on the rules of the non-use of the definite article ‘The,’ these rules are very important as they often confuse aspirants. In this article, you will learn about five important rules(From 21-25) regarding the non-use of the definite article ‘The.’
- No use of ‘The’ before Complement Noun after Make, Become, Elect, Appoint etc.
- No use of Articles before School, College, Bed, Hospital, Prison etc. when used for Primary Purpose
- No use of ‘The’ in Parallel Structures
- No use of ‘The’ in Headlines, Telegrams, Notices, Lists and Outlines
- No use of Articles in Certain Phrasal Expressions
Rule 21: No use of ‘The’ before Complement Noun after Make, Become, Elect, Appoint etc.
Make, Become, Elect, Appoint ਆਦਿ ਤੋਂ ਬਾਅਦ Complement Noun ਤੋਂ ਪਹਿਲਾਂ The ਦਾ ਪ੍ਰਯੋਗ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੁੰਦਾ
ਜਦੋਂ make, become, crown, elect, select, appoint, declare ਆਦਿ verbs ਤੋਂ ਬਾਅਦ structure:
Object + Noun (Complement) ਦਾ ਪ੍ਰਯੋਗ ਹੋਵੇ, ਤਾਂ complement ਵਜੋਂ ਵਰਤੇ ਗਏ noun ਤੋਂ ਪਹਿਲਾਂ ਆਮ ਤੌਰ ’ਤੇ The ਦਾ ਪ੍ਰਯੋਗ ਨਹੀਂ ਕੀਤਾ ਜਾਂਦਾ।
The Rule 21 states that after verbs like make, become, elect, appoint etc., no article is used before a noun functioning as a complement when the post is unique.
Structure:
Subject + Verb + Object + Complement Noun
E.g. They made him captain.
ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਉਸਨੂੰ ਕਪਤਾਨ ਬਣਾਇਆ।
They made him the captain. Incorrect
Punjabi Explanation:
ਇੱਥੇ “captain” complement noun ਹੈ ਅਤੇ ਇੱਕ unique post ਹੈ, ਇਸ ਲਈ The ਨਹੀਂ ਲਗਦਾ।
E.g. We elected him chairman.
ਅਸੀਂ ਉਸਨੂੰ ਚੇਅਰਮੈਨ ਚੁਣਿਆ।
We elected him the chairman. Incorrect
Punjabi Explanation:
“Chairman” ਇੱਕ post/designation ਹੈ, ਇਸ ਲਈ complement noun ਤੋਂ ਪਹਿਲਾਂ article ਨਹੀਂ ਲਗਦਾ।
E.g. They made him king.
ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਉਸਨੂੰ ਰਾਜਾ ਬਣਾਇਆ।
They made him a king. Incorrect
Punjabi Explanation:
“King” ਇੱਕ unique post ਹੈ, ਇਸ ਲਈ article ਨਹੀਂ ਲਗਦਾ।
Now understand the Important Note of Rule 21.
Note:
ਜਦੋਂ complement noun ਇੱਕ ਐਸੀ countable post ਹੋਵੇ ਜਿਸਦੇ several posts possible ਹੋਣ, ਤਾਂ ਲੋੜ ਅਨੁਸਾਰ A/An ਦਾ ਪ੍ਰਯੋਗ ਕੀਤਾ ਜਾ ਸਕਦਾ ਹੈ।
- We have appointed him a clerk.
- ਅਸੀਂ ਉਸਨੂੰ ਇੱਕ ਕਲਰਕ ਨਿਯੁਕਤ ਕੀਤਾ ਹੈ।
Punjabi Explanation:
“Clerk” ਇੱਕ ਆਮ post ਹੈ ਜਿਸਦੇ ਕਈ ਲੋਕ ਹੋ ਸਕਦੇ ਹਨ, ਇਸ ਲਈ A ਵਰਤਿਆ ਗਿਆ ਹੈ।
Now compare both situations carefully.
Unique Post → No Article
- made him captain
- elected him chairman
- made him king
Several Possible Posts → Use A/An
- appointed him a clerk
- made him an assistant
Punjabi Explanation:
ਜੇ post/designation unique ਹੋਵੇ ਤਾਂ article ਨਹੀਂ ਲਗਦਾ।
ਜੇ same designation ਵਾਲੇ ਕਈ ਲੋਕ ਹੋ ਸਕਣ, ਤਾਂ A/An ਵਰਤਿਆ ਜਾ ਸਕਦਾ ਹੈ।
Important Notes for Rule 21:
After make/elect/appoint etc. + Unique Post → No Article
- made him captain
- elected him chairman
- made him king
Several Posts Possible → Use A/An
- appointed him a clerk
- made him an assistant
Incorrect Forms:
- made him the captain
- elected him the chairman
- made him a king
Reason:
Complement noun unique designation/post ਨੂੰ ਦਰਸਾਉਂਦਾ ਹੈ, ਇਸ ਲਈ article ਦੀ ਲੋੜ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੁੰਦੀ। ਪਰ non-unique/countable posts ਨਾਲ A/An ਵਰਤਿਆ ਜਾ ਸਕਦਾ ਹੈ।
Example:
- They elected him president. → unique office
- They appointed him a manager. → one among many managers
ਇਸ ਤਰ੍ਹਾਂ ਇਸ rule ਨੂੰ “Make/Elect + Unique Post = No Article” ਵਜੋਂ ਯਾਦ ਰੱਖੋ।
Rule 22: No use of Articles before School, College, Bed, Hospital, Prison etc. when used for Primary Purpose
ਮੂਲ ਉਦੇਸ਼ ਲਈ School, College, Bed, Hospital ਆਦਿ ਤੋਂ ਪਹਿਲਾਂ Article ਦਾ ਪ੍ਰਯੋਗ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੁੰਦਾ
ਜਦੋਂ school, college, church, bed, table, hospital, market, prison, jail, court, temple, mosque, university ਆਦਿ ਦਾ ਪ੍ਰਯੋਗ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ primary purpose (ਮੂਲ ਉਦੇਸ਼) ਲਈ ਕੀਤਾ ਜਾਵੇ, ਤਾਂ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਪਹਿਲਾਂ A/An/The ਦਾ ਪ੍ਰਯੋਗ ਨਹੀਂ ਕੀਤਾ ਜਾਂਦਾ।
The Rule 22 states that no article is used before places like school, hospital, prison, church, bed etc. when they are used for their primary purpose.
Now understand the Primary Purpose clearly.
Place → Primary Purpose
- bed → sleeping/resting
- church/temple/mosque → worship/prayer
- hospital → treatment as a patient
- school/college/university → study as a student
- prison/jail → as a prisoner
- court → as a litigant/witness
Punjabi Explanation:
ਜੇ ਕੋਈ ਵਿਅਕਤੀ ਉਸ ਥਾਂ ਦੇ ਅਸਲ ਉਦੇਸ਼ ਲਈ ਜਾਵੇ, ਤਾਂ article ਨਹੀਂ ਲਗਦਾ।
E.g. His brother is still in hospital.
ਉਸਦਾ ਭਰਾ ਅਜੇ ਵੀ ਹਸਪਤਾਲ ਵਿੱਚ ਇਲਾਜ ਲਈ ਹੈ।
His brother is still in the hospital. Incorrect
Punjabi Explanation:
ਇੱਥੇ “hospital” treatment/patient ਦੇ ਅਰਥ ਵਿੱਚ ਹੈ, ਇਸ ਲਈ article ਨਹੀਂ ਲਗਦਾ।
E.g. She stays in bed till eight every morning.
ਉਹ ਹਰ ਸਵੇਰੇ ਅੱਠ ਵਜੇ ਤੱਕ ਬਿਸਤਰੇ ਵਿੱਚ ਰਹਿੰਦੀ ਹੈ।
She stays in the bed till eight every morning. Incorrect
Punjabi Explanation:
ਇੱਥੇ “bed” sleeping/resting purpose ਲਈ ਵਰਤਿਆ ਗਿਆ ਹੈ।
E.g. I learnt English at school.
ਮੈਂ ਸਕੂਲ ਵਿੱਚ ਅੰਗਰੇਜ਼ੀ ਸਿੱਖੀ।
I learnt English at the school. Incorrect
Punjabi Explanation:
ਇੱਥੇ “school” study purpose ਲਈ ਵਰਤਿਆ ਗਿਆ ਹੈ।
Punjabi Explanation:
ਇੱਥੇ church worship purpose ਲਈ ਹੈ।
E.g. The terrorist was sent to jail.
ਆਤੰਕੀ ਨੂੰ ਜੇਲ੍ਹ ਭੇਜਿਆ ਗਿਆ।
The terrorist was sent to the jail. Incorrect
Punjabi Explanation:
ਇੱਥੇ jail prisoner purpose ਲਈ ਵਰਤਿਆ ਗਿਆ ਹੈ।
Now understand the Important Note of Rule 22.
Note:
ਜਦੋਂ ਇਹੀ words ਕਿਸੇ specific building/place ਜਾਂ other purpose ਲਈ ਵਰਤੇ ਜਾਣ, ਤਾਂ The ਦਾ ਪ੍ਰਯੋਗ ਹੁੰਦਾ ਹੈ।
E.g. I went to the hospital to see my friend.
ਮੈਂ ਆਪਣੇ ਦੋਸਤ ਨੂੰ ਮਿਲਣ ਲਈ ਹਸਪਤਾਲ ਗਿਆ।
I went to hospital to see my friend. Incorrect
Punjabi Explanation:
ਇੱਥੇ hospital treatment ਲਈ ਨਹੀਂ, ਸਗੋਂ ਕਿਸੇ ਨੂੰ ਮਿਲਣ ਲਈ ਹੈ, ਇਸ ਲਈ The ਵਰਤਿਆ ਗਿਆ ਹੈ।
E.g. The bed is broken.
ਬਿਸਤਰਾ ਟੁੱਟਿਆ ਹੋਇਆ ਹੈ।
Bed is broken. Incorrect
Punjabi Explanation:
ਇੱਥੇ bed ਇੱਕ specific object/building sense ਵਿੱਚ ਹੈ।
E.g. She met me at the temple.
ਉਹ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਮੰਦਰ ਵਿੱਚ ਮਿਲੀ।
She met me at temple. Incorrect
Punjabi Explanation:
ਇੱਥੇ temple worship purpose ਲਈ ਨਹੀਂ, ਸਿਰਫ਼ place sense ਵਿੱਚ ਵਰਤਿਆ ਗਿਆ ਹੈ।
Now understand the difference carefully.
(A) For Primary Purpose (ਮੂਲ ਉਦੇਸ਼ ਲਈ)
- He goes to school at 10 o’clock every day.
- He will soon be released from prison.
- She goes to church to worship there.
- We generally go to bed at 10 o’clock.
- The prisoner was brought to court for trial.
- He has to appear in court to give evidence.
Punjabi Explanation:
ਇਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਸਾਰੇ sentences ਵਿੱਚ place ਆਪਣੇ ਮੂਲ ਉਦੇਸ਼ ਲਈ ਵਰਤੀ ਗਈ ਹੈ, ਇਸ ਲਈ article ਨਹੀਂ ਲਗਦਾ।
(B) For Other Purpose (ਹੋਰ ਉਦੇਸ਼ ਲਈ)
- He went to the school to complain.
- My beloved went to the college to witness a magic show.
- You have to visit the hospital tomorrow.
- The college is just in front of the prison.
- Mrs. Thakur went to the church to see the dead boy.
- The children were fighting on the bed.
Punjabi Explanation:
ਇੱਥੇ places ਆਪਣੇ primary purpose ਲਈ ਨਹੀਂ ਹਨ, ਇਸ ਲਈ The ਵਰਤਿਆ ਗਿਆ ਹੈ।
(C) As Countable Noun
ਜਦੋਂ school, college, hospital ਆਦਿ countable nouns ਵਜੋਂ ਵਰਤੇ ਜਾਣ, ਤਾਂ A/An ਵਰਤਿਆ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ।
Examples:
- There is a school in my village.
- There is a college near my house.
- There is a big hospital there.
Punjabi Explanation:
ਇੱਥੇ school/college/hospital ਇੱਕ ਆਮ countable noun ਵਜੋਂ ਵਰਤੇ ਗਏ ਹਨ।
Important Notes for Rule 22:
Primary Purpose → No Article
- go to school
- in hospital
- go to bed
- sent to prison
Other Purpose/Specific Place → Use The
- go to the school
- visit the hospital
- fight on the bed
Countable Sense → Use A/An
- a school
- a hospital
- a college
Reason:
ਜਦੋਂ place ਆਪਣੇ original function ਲਈ ਵਰਤਿਆ ਜਾਵੇ, ਤਾਂ article ਨਹੀਂ ਲਗਦਾ। ਪਰ specific building/place ਜਾਂ ਹੋਰ ਉਦੇਸ਼ ਵਿੱਚ The ਵਰਤਿਆ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ।
Example:
- He is in prison. → as prisoner
He visited the prison. → as visitor
- She is in hospital. → as patient
She went to the hospital to meet someone. → visitor purpose
ਇਸ ਤਰ੍ਹਾਂ ਇਸ rule ਨੂੰ “Primary Purpose = No Article, Other Purpose = Use The” ਵਜੋਂ ਯਾਦ ਰੱਖੋ।
Rule 23: No use of ‘The’ in Parallel Structures
ਸਮਾਨਾਨਤਰ ਬਣਾਵਟਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ The ਦਾ ਪ੍ਰਯੋਗ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੁੰਦਾ
ਜਦੋਂ English ਵਿੱਚ parallel structures (ਸਮਾਨਾਨਤਰ ਬਣਾਵਟਾਂ) ਵਰਤੀਆਂ ਜਾਂਦੀਆਂ ਹਨ, ਤਾਂ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਆਮ ਤੌਰ ’ਤੇ The ਦਾ ਪ੍ਰਯੋਗ ਨਹੀਂ ਕੀਤਾ ਜਾਂਦਾ।
The Rule 23 states that ‘The’ is generally not used in parallel structures or repeated paired expressions.
- village after village
(ਇੱਕ ਪਿੰਡ ਤੋਂ ਬਾਅਦ ਦੂਜਾ ਪਿੰਡ)
the village after the village Incorrect - from beginning to end
(ਸ਼ੁਰੂ ਤੋਂ ਅੰਤ ਤੱਕ)
from the beginning to the end Incorrect - side by side
(ਇੱਕ ਦੂਜੇ ਦੇ ਨਾਲ-ਨਾਲ)
the side by the side Incorrect - from door to door
(ਘਰ-ਘਰ)
from the door to the door Incorrect - face to face
(ਸਾਮ੍ਹਣੇ-ਸਾਮ੍ਹਣੇ)
the face to the face Incorrect - man to man
(ਇੱਕ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਤੋਂ ਦੂਜੇ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਤੱਕ)
the man to the man Incorrect - inch by inch
(ਇੰਚ-ਇੰਚ ਕਰਕੇ)
the inch by the inch Incorrect - arm in arm
(ਬਾਂਹ ਵਿੱਚ ਬਾਂਹ ਪਾ ਕੇ)
the arm in the arm Incorrect - from east to west
(ਪੂਰਬ ਤੋਂ ਪੱਛਮ ਤੱਕ)
from the east to the west Incorrect - from village to village
(ਪਿੰਡ ਤੋਂ ਪਿੰਡ)
from the village to the village Incorrect - from left to right
(ਖੱਬੇ ਤੋਂ ਸੱਜੇ ਤੱਕ)
from the left to the right Incorrect: - from top to bottom
(ਉੱਪਰ ਤੋਂ ਹੇਠਾਂ ਤੱਕ)
from the top to the bottom Incorrect - hand in hand
(ਹੱਥ ਵਿੱਚ ਹੱਥ ਪਾ ਕੇ)
the hand in the hand Incorrect - day after day
(ਦਿਨੋਂ-ਦਿਨ)
the day after the day Incorrect - from hand to mouth
(ਹੱਥੋਂ-ਮੂੰਹ ਤੱਕ/ਬਹੁਤ ਮੁਸ਼ਕਲ ਨਾਲ ਗੁਜ਼ਾਰਾ ਕਰਨਾ)
from the hand to the mouth Incorrect - from dawn to dusk
(ਸਵੇਰ ਤੋਂ ਸ਼ਾਮ ਤੱਕ)
from the dawn to the dusk Incorrect - row upon row
(ਕਤਾਰ ਉੱਤੇ ਕਤਾਰ)
the row upon the row Incorrect
Punjabi Explanation:
ਇਹ ਸਾਰੇ fixed parallel expressions ਹਨ। ਇਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ nouns general/repeated sense ਵਿੱਚ ਵਰਤੇ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਹਨ, ਇਸ ਲਈ The ਨਹੀਂ ਲਗਦਾ।
E.g. The workers went from door to door.
ਮਜ਼ਦੂਰ ਘਰ-ਘਰ ਗਏ।
The workers went from the door to the door. Incorrect
Punjabi Explanation:
“from door to door” ਇੱਕ fixed parallel expression ਹੈ।
E.g. They stood face to face.
ਉਹ ਸਾਹਮਣੇ-ਸਾਹਮਣੇ ਖੜੇ ਸਨ।
They stood the face to the face. Incorrect
Punjabi Explanation:
“face to face” fixed idiomatic structure ਹੈ, ਇਸ ਲਈ article ਨਹੀਂ ਲਗਦਾ।
Now understand the important point.
Parallel structures usually show:
- repetition
- continuity
- movement
- comparison
- connection
Therefore, articles are omitted.
Punjabi Explanation:
Parallel structures ਵਿੱਚ emphasis action/flow ’ਤੇ ਹੁੰਦਾ ਹੈ, ਨਾ ਕਿ ਕਿਸੇ specific noun ’ਤੇ।
Important Notes for Rule 23:
Parallel Structures → No The
- side by side
- face to face
- day after day
- hand in hand
- from top to bottom
Incorrect Forms:
- from the beginning to the end
- the face to the face
- the hand in the hand
Reason:
Parallel structures fixed idiomatic expressions ਹੁੰਦੀਆਂ ਹਨ। ਇਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ nouns general sense ਵਿੱਚ ਵਰਤੇ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਹਨ, ਇਸ ਲਈ articles ਨਹੀਂ ਲਗਦੇ।
Example:
- They worked side by side. → correct
They worked the side by the side. → incorrect
- He searched from village to village. → correct
He searched from the village to the village. → incorrect
ਇਸ ਤਰ੍ਹਾਂ ਇਸ rule ਨੂੰ “Parallel Structures = No Article” ਵਜੋਂ ਯਾਦ ਰੱਖੋ।
Rule 24: No use of ‘The’ in Headlines, Telegrams, Notices, Lists and Outlines
Headlines, Telegrams, Notices ਆਦਿ ਵਿੱਚ The ਦਾ ਪ੍ਰਯੋਗ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੁੰਦਾ
ਜਦੋਂ newspaper headlines, telegrams, notices, lists ਅਤੇ outlines ਲਿਖੇ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਹਨ, ਤਾਂ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਆਮ ਤੌਰ ’ਤੇ The ਅਤੇ ਹੋਰ articles ਦਾ ਪ੍ਰਯੋਗ ਨਹੀਂ ਕੀਤਾ ਜਾਂਦਾ।
The Rule 24 states that articles are generally omitted in headlines, telegrams, notices, lists, and outlines to make the language short and direct.
E.g. Five men died in accident.
ਪੰਜ ਆਦਮੀ ਹਾਦਸੇ ਵਿੱਚ ਮਰ ਗਏ।
Normal sentence: Five men died in the accident.
Punjabi Explanation:
Headline style ਵਿੱਚ sentence ਨੂੰ short ਬਣਾਉਣ ਲਈ “the” ਹਟਾ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ।
E.g. School reopens on 5th August.
ਸਕੂਲ 5 ਅਗਸਤ ਨੂੰ ਦੁਬਾਰਾ ਖੁੱਲੇਗਾ।
Normal sentence: The school reopens on the 5th of August.
Punjabi Explanation:
Notice/headline style ਵਿੱਚ articles omit ਕਰ ਦਿੱਤੇ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਹਨ।
E.g. Father serious come soon
ਪਿਤਾ ਜੀ ਗੰਭੀਰ ਹਨ, ਜਲਦੀ ਆਓ।
Normal sentence: Father is serious. Come soon.
Punjabi Explanation:
Telegram language ਵਿੱਚ words ਘੱਟ ਕਰਨ ਲਈ articles ਅਤੇ helping verbs ਹਟਾ ਦਿੱਤੇ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਹਨ।
Now understand why articles are omitted.
Headlines/telegrams/notices focus on:
- brevity (ਸੰਖੇਪਤਾ)
- speed (ਤੇਜ਼ੀ)
- direct meaning (ਸਿੱਧਾ ਅਰਥ)
Therefore, unnecessary words like articles are omitted.
Punjabi Explanation:
ਇਨ੍ਹਾਂ structures ਵਿੱਚ ਛੋਟੇ ਅਤੇ ਪ੍ਰਭਾਵਸ਼ਾਲੀ sentences ਬਣਾਉਣ ਲਈ articles ਨਹੀਂ ਵਰਤੇ ਜਾਂਦੇ।
Headline Style:
- Prime Minister visits Japan.
- Prices rise again.
- Two students injured in clash.
Notice Style:
- Students assemble in hall.
- Meeting starts at 10 a.m.
Telegram Style:
- Mother ill come immediately.
- Reached safely stop journey comfortable stop
Punjabi Explanation:
ਇਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਸਾਰੇ examples ਵਿੱਚ articles omit ਕੀਤੇ ਗਏ ਹਨ।
Important Notes for Rule 24:
Headlines → No Articles
- Five men died in accident.
- Prices rise again.
Telegrams → No Articles
- Father serious come soon
Notices/Lists → No Articles
- Students remain silent.
- Meeting starts tomorrow.
Reason:
Headlines, telegrams ਅਤੇ notices concise style ਵਿੱਚ ਲਿਖੇ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਹਨ, ਇਸ ਲਈ articles ਅਤੇ ਕਈ ਵਾਰ helping verbs ਵੀ ਹਟਾ ਦਿੱਤੇ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਹਨ।
Example:
- The school will reopen tomorrow. → normal sentence
School reopens tomorrow. → headline style
ਇਸ ਤਰ੍ਹਾਂ ਇਸ rule ਨੂੰ “Headlines/Telegrams = No Articles” ਵਜੋਂ ਯਾਦ ਰੱਖੋ।
Rule 25: No use of Articles in Certain Phrasal Expressions
ਕੁਝ Fixed Phrasal Expressions ਵਿੱਚ Articles ਦਾ ਪ੍ਰਯੋਗ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੁੰਦਾ
ਅੰਗਰੇਜ਼ੀ ਵਿੱਚ ਬਹੁਤ ਸਾਰੇ fixed expressions ਜਾਂ phrasal expressions ਹੁੰਦੇ ਹਨ, ਜਿਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ noun ਤੋਂ ਪਹਿਲਾਂ A/An/The ਦਾ ਪ੍ਰਯੋਗ ਨਹੀਂ ਕੀਤਾ ਜਾਂਦਾ। ਜੇ article ਵਰਤਿਆ ਜਾਵੇ, ਤਾਂ expression ਗਲਤ ਹੋ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ।
The Rule 25 states that many fixed preposition + word expressions are used without articles.
Now understand these expressions category wise.
1. At + Words
Correct Expressions:
- at war
- at noon
- at leisure
- at interest
- at first
- at last
- at sight
- at least
- at play
- at work
- at peace
- at fault
- at hand
- at risk
Incorrect Forms:
- at the war
at a war
- at the noon
at a noon
- at the first
at a first
Punjabi Explanation:
ਇਹ fixed idiomatic expressions ਹਨ, ਇਸ ਲਈ article ਨਹੀਂ ਲਗਦਾ।
Examples:
- The two countries are at war.
ਦੋਵੇਂ ਦੇਸ਼ ਯੁੱਧ ਵਿੱਚ ਹਨ। - He reached home at noon.
ਉਹ ਦੁਪਹਿਰ ਨੂੰ ਘਰ ਪਹੁੰਚਿਆ। - At last, we succeeded.
ਆਖ਼ਿਰਕਾਰ ਅਸੀਂ ਸਫਲ ਹੋ ਗਏ।
2. On + Words
Correct Expressions:
- on duty
- on leave
- on fire
- on strike
- on demand
- on foot
- on sale
- on horseback
- on deck
- on watch
- on death
- on purpose
Note: on earth ਵੀ ਵਰਤਿਆ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ।
Incorrect Forms:
- on the duty
on a duty - on the fire
on a fire - on the foot
on a foot
Punjabi Explanation:
ਇਹ expressions fixed usage ਵਿੱਚ ਹਨ, ਇਸ ਲਈ articles ਨਹੀਂ ਲਗਦੇ।
Examples:
- The manager is on leave today.
ਮੈਨੇਜਰ ਅੱਜ ਛੁੱਟੀ ’ਤੇ ਹੈ। - The building caught fire.
ਇਮਾਰਤ ਨੂੰ ਅੱਗ ਲੱਗ ਗਈ। - He came here on foot.
ਉਹ ਪੈਦਲ ਇੱਥੇ ਆਇਆ।
3. In + Words
Correct Expressions:
- in heaven
- in jail
- in jest
- in love
- in motion
- in court
- in hand
- in debt
- in bed
- in time
- in town
- in fact
- in favour of
- in front of
- in silence
- in general
- in trouble
- in advance
- in doubt
- in detail
- in danger
- in pain
- in fear
- in life
- in haste
- in charge of
- in action
- in confusion
Incorrect Forms:
- in the heaven
in a heaven - in the bed
in a bed - in the danger
in a danger
Punjabi Explanation:
ਇਹ phrases fixed meaning ਦੇਂਦੇ ਹਨ, ਇਸ ਲਈ article ਨਹੀਂ ਲਗਦਾ।
Examples:
- He is in bed.
ਉਹ ਬਿਸਤਰੇ ਵਿੱਚ ਹੈ। - She is in danger.
ਉਹ ਖਤਰੇ ਵਿੱਚ ਹੈ। - In fact, he was right.
ਅਸਲ ਵਿੱਚ ਉਹ ਸਹੀ ਸੀ।
4. By + Words
Correct Expressions:
- by day
- by name
- by night
- by road
- by hand
- by agreement
- by accident
- by heart
- by mistake
- by post
- by cheque
- by chance
Incorrect Forms:
- by the road
by a road - by the heart
by a heart - by the mistake
by a mistake
Punjabi Explanation:
ਇਹ fixed prepositional expressions ਹਨ, ਇਸ ਲਈ articles ਨਹੀਂ ਵਰਤੇ ਜਾਂਦੇ।
Examples:
- He learnt the poem by heart.
ਉਸਨੇ ਕਵਿਤਾ ਯਾਦ ਕਰ ਲਈ। - The letter was sent by post.
ਚਿੱਠੀ ਡਾਕ ਰਾਹੀਂ ਭੇਜੀ ਗਈ। - I met him by chance.
ਮੈਂ ਉਸਨੂੰ ਇਤਫ਼ਾਕ ਨਾਲ ਮਿਲਿਆ।
Now understand some special expressions.
- Her clothes caught fire.
ਉਸਦੇ ਕੱਪੜਿਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਅੱਗ ਲੱਗ ਗਈ।
Her clothes caught the fire. Incorrect
- Give ear to what your teacher says.
ਆਪਣੇ ਅਧਿਆਪਕ ਦੀ ਗੱਲ ਧਿਆਨ ਨਾਲ ਸੁਣੋ।
Give the ear to what your teacher says. Incorrect
- She lost heart very soon.
ਉਸਨੇ ਜਲਦੀ ਹੀ ਹੌਸਲਾ ਹਾਰ ਦਿੱਤਾ।
She lost the heart very soon. Incorrect
- They leave home at 6 a.m.
ਉਹ ਸਵੇਰੇ 6 ਵਜੇ ਘਰ ਤੋਂ ਨਿਕਲਦੇ ਹਨ।
They leave the home at 6 a.m. Incorrect
Punjabi Explanation:
ਇਹ expressions idiomatic/fixed nature ਦੇ ਹਨ, ਇਸ ਲਈ article ਨਹੀਂ ਵਰਤਿਆ ਜਾਂਦਾ।
Important Notes for Rule 25:
Fixed Expressions → No Article
- at work
- on duty
- in danger
- by heart
- at peace
- on foot
- in bed
- by chance
Incorrect Forms:
- at the work
- on the duty
- in the danger
- by the heart
Reason:
ਇਹ expressions English ਵਿੱਚ idiomatic/fixed combinations ਹਨ। ਇਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ noun general sense ਵਿੱਚ ਹੁੰਦਾ ਹੈ, ਇਸ ਲਈ articles omit ਕਰ ਦਿੱਤੇ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਹਨ।
Example:
- He is at work. → correct
He is at the work. → incorrect
- She came on foot. → correct
She came on the foot. → incorrect
Other very important Articles on the Usage of the Definite Article “The” and No Usage of the Definite Article “The” in English Grammar
- No Usage of the Definite Article “The” — Rules 16–20
- No Usage of the Definite Article “The” — Rules 11–15
- No Usage of the Definite Article “The” — Rules 6–10
- No Usage of the Definite Article “The” — Rules 1–5
- Usage of the definite article ‘The’ — Rules 41‑43
- Usage of the definite article ‘The’ — Rules 36‑40
- Usage of the definite article ‘The’ — Rules 31‑35
- Usage of the definite article ‘The’ — Rules 25‑30
- Usage of the definite article ‘The’ — Rules 21‑25
- Usage of the definite article ‘The’ — Rules 16‑20
- Usage of the definite article ‘The’ — Rules 11‑15
- Usage of the definite article ‘The’ — Rules 6‑10
- Usage of the definite article ‘The’ — Rules 1‑5
