Countable singular noun without an article

[echelon]

Hello,

A countable singular noun can appear without any article in some contexts. For example, in newspaper headlines.

Can it appear without an article when referring to it in a general sense?
For instance, something like:

"Lion is one of the strongest animals."

I know that in that example, the definite article is normally used. However, is omitting the article possible (and natural)?

What other examples in full natural sentences would you find where a singular countable noun appears without an article?

Thank you.

[Barb_D]

Hi echelon,

No, in your example, you need an article.

Only in headlines or bulleted list or other examples of a terse writing style (does anyone send telegrams any more?) will it sound okay to omit the article.

[echelon]

Thank you!

[echelon]

By the way, is the following sentence natural when referring to lions in a general sense?

"A lion is one of the strongest animals."

[xpert]

What other examples in full natural sentences would you find where a singular countable noun appears without an article?

Means of transportation:(plane/ship/car/bike)
I travel by car.

Notice we say: Alan goes to school on foot

Seasons: In winter, we will travel to Australia

Meals: I had two eggs for breakfast

Institutions: school/mosque/church/jail/prison
I don't go to school on Friday

Diseases: He has cancer

Time of day: We traveled mostly by night


SOURCE: Click here

[Barb_D]

Thank you.

Those are excellent examples, and a much better response than mine.

Even so, there are always exceptions: He has cancer. She has a cold. He has the flu. She has pneumonia. He suffered a stroke. Or Usually I go to school by bus, but today I came home in a taxi. In short: Articles are REALLY hard to get right!

The "lion" example still needs an article. You can use "A lion" if you need to introduce us to the idea of a lion, but you would use "The lion" to give us facts that relation to the animal known as the lion (and we both already know what a lion is).

[echelon]

The "lion" example still needs an article. You can use "A lion" if you need to introduce us to the idea of a lion, but you would use "The lion" to give us facts that relation to the animal known as the lion (and we both already know what a lion is).

That is extremely helpful! Thank you very much!

[xpert]

In short: Articles are REALLY hard to get right!

That's right.

A related question: I was asked the following question a few weeks ago.
My answer was: (A) and (B) are possible answers. What do you think?

He used ___ in eating.

A- a fork and a spoon
B- a fork and spoon
C- fork and a spoon
D- fork and spoon

[Barb_D]

I agree.

He used a fork and spoon to eat or He used a fork and a spoon to eat both sound okay to my ear. (However, note I'd say "to eat" and not "for eating."

(Also, I just noted a typo in my prior post - it should be "that relate to" not "that relation to." I hope that error did not cause any confusion.)

[atabitaraf]

Hi there

Can we use a singular countable noun without an article, when it refers to general idea of something? for example when we use gerunds.

eg. Unemployment is the result of bad management.

Thanks,