Determinants of zero article use with abstract nouns: A corpus-informed study of journalistic and academic English

The present paper discusses new evidence on zero article use with abstract English noun phrases using a corpus-based approach. In particular, it investigates the role played by lexical and textual features of the linguistic environment in determining article use. It is found that lexico-grammatical determinants of zero article use can be classified under four major headings, viz. abstract nouns postmodified by periphrastic genitives, abstract nouns postmodified by other types of of-phrases, abstract nouns postmodified by prepositional phrases introduced by prepositions other than of and abstract nouns without postmodification. Close examination of large corpora reveals previously unknown aspects of these structures, and attempts at translating them into German demonstrate the occasional necessity of complex shifts from nominal to verbal constructions. Such findings, the conclusion suggests, should be incorporated into teaching materials for non-native writers and trainee translators.