We can say go to school and go to the school, but they mean different things.
If you’ve ever wondered why English sometimes drops “the” with places like school, church, or prison, you’re not alone.
The reason is meaning, not grammar magic.
Let’s break it down.
The big idea
In English, some places can be understood in two different ways:
As an institution (role, routine, purpose)
→ NO article
As a physical place or building
→ USE “the”
CHURCH
-
She goes to church every Sunday.
Worship or religious practice. -
She went to the church to admire the architecture.
The building.
SCHOOL
-
My son goes to school by bus.
He is a student. -
I went to the school to talk to his teacher.
The building.
HOSPITAL
(especially British English)
-
He is in hospital after the accident.
Patient, receiving treatment. -
She went to the hospital to visit him.
The place.
Note: In American English, people usually say in the hospital, even for patients.
PRISON
-
He spent five years in prison.
Prisoner, punishment. -
She works at the prison as a psychologist.
The building or workplace.
COLLEGE
-
She’s going to college next year.
Student, education. -
The college is near the city center.
The institution as a place.
Easy rule to remember
No article = role, routine, or purpose
“The” = physical place or specific building
If you’re doing what the place is for, drop the.
If you’re just going there, use the.
Common learner mistake
-
My uncle goes to the prison every day.
Correct because you mean he visits the building, the place itself every day. He might be just a visitor or a worker there. -
My uncle is in prison.
Correct if he is a prisoner. -
She goes to the school every day.
Only correct if you mean the building. She might be a teacher, cleaner, security guard, secretary, cook, or janitor. -
She goes to school every day.
Correct for a student.
Food for thought
English doesn’t change the word.
It changes the meaning.
Same place.
Different article.
Different idea.
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