[Grammar] Usage of articles a,an and the

[Nanu1]

No article is used before a noun used in phrases as: to leave home, to send word, to catch fire, etc etc. Examples: He sent me word to see him. He left home. Here is my question: why do not these phrases take articles like 1. He sent me a/the word to see him. 2. He left a/the home.

 

[Tarheel]

No article is used before a noun used in phrases as: to leave home, to send word, to catch fire, etc etc. Examples: He sent me word to see him. He left home. Here is my question: why don't these phrases take articles like 1. He sent me a/the word to see him. 2. He left a/the home.

I have never asked that question, so I don't have a ready answer. However, it may be that someone will have an answer to that question.

 

[Nanu1]

When word means news, instructions or rumour, it is an uncountable noun, without articles.

Home can function as an adverb with the meaning of to/at my/your/etc home.

I am asking pattern like : verb+ noun(object). Examples: to catch fire, to give ear, to take offense, to give battle, to set foot etc.. So like you said nouns of all these phrases are uncountable?

 

[Tdol]

Ears are countable, but I would say that in to give ear, it is being used uncountably, and that none of your examples is being used countably.

 

[SoothingDave]

I have never heard "to give ear," other than in Shakespeare's "lend me your ears."

 

[jutfrank]

Home can function as an adverb with the meaning of to/at my/your/etc home.

In the verb phrase leave home, home is not an adverb. It's a noun.

 

[bubbha]

I have never heard "to give ear," other than in Shakespeare's "lend me your ears."

It's used in the King James Version of the Bible a number of times:

"Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth! ..." Isaiah 1:2 (KJV)

But it's a very poetic and Biblical sounding phrase.