'The' hospital, or just hospital

[pangaea]

Please fill in the blank, and explain the reason.
My father is in --------- hospital because he had a heart attack.
Thanks.​

 

[MikeNewYork]

Please fill in the blank, and explain the reason.
My father is in --------- hospital because he had a heart attack.
Thanks.​

BrE: in hospital
AmE: in the hospital

 

[pangaea]

Thanks, but what is the grammatical reason?
Is 'hospital' considered an institution i.e, prison, school, etc? If so why should you use 'the'?
Many thanks.

 

[MikeNewYork]

Thanks, but what is the grammatical reason?
Is 'hospital' considered an institution i.e, prison, school, etc? If so why should you use 'the'?
Many thanks.

We also say in the palace, in the store, in the bathroom, in the church, etc.

 

[Raymott]

Thanks, but what is the grammatical reason?Is 'hospital' considered an institution i.e, prison, school, etc? If so why should you use 'the'?Many thanks.

There's no grammatical reason. It's a question of usage. But you seem to have answered your own question.