1、如果不可数名词在句中表泛指意义,则其前不用定冠词(当然原则上也不用不定冠词,因为是不可数名词嘛)。如:
(1)Blood is thicker than water. 血浓于水。
(2)Money isn’t everything. 金钱不是一切。
(3)Water must be pure if it is to be drunk. 水如供饮用必须净化。
(4)Oil is essential for the manufacture of plastic. 石油是塑料生产的基本原料。
(5)Capitalism is a by-product of free enterprise. 资本主义是自由企业的副产品。
2、但是,如果不可数名词在句是表特指意义,则要在其前加定冠词。如:
(1)The money was dealt out fairly. 钱分配得公平合理。
(2)I’ll just sponge the blood from the wound我.就去把伤口上的血吸掉。
(3)The water in the pool is warm enough to swim 池in里. 的水够暖和的可以游泳。
(4)Always check the oil before starting the car. 发动汽车之前,总要先检查一下油料。
不用冠词的情况
1、表示独一无二的职务、身份前一般不用冠词。如:
Elizabeth II, Queen of England 英国女王伊丽莎白二世
He was elected chairmen of the committee.他当选为协会主席。
2、表示球类、棋类的运动项目不加冠词。如:
play football 踢足球 play chess下象棋
3、 在一日三餐名词前不用冠词。如:
have breakfast/lunch/supper 吃早饭/午饭/晚饭
4、交通工具名词前不用冠词
by car坐汽车 by ship 坐船
by plane坐飞机 on foot 步行
5、在一些地点的名词,如:bed, church, school, hospital,home, work等。当人们去这些地方做在这些地方应该做的事时,不加冠词。
go home回家 go to school去上学 go to church去教堂祈祷
in hospital住院 go to work上班
注:如果在上述词组前面加上定冠词the,可以表示去这些场所做其他的事情。如:
He came to the school to speak to the headmaster.他来学校和校长谈话。
He went to the church to see the carvings.他去教堂看雕刻。
His mother is in hospital and he has been in the hospital to take care of her.
他妈妈生病住院了,他就一直在医院里面照顾她。