Argthtjtr

When we omit the article before the noun, we are thinking of a state or condition, not of a specific place: in jail, in love, in hospital, at university, under fire,

How we refer to roads is a an example where the reverse is true (in some parts of the US). Brits might say Take the M1 or Take the A1, while most Americans will say take 95 or take 81. In Southern California, however, people say, take the 101 or the 1.

There is a distinction.

• "I went to the hospital" describes the act of physically visiting the physical hospital building. "I went to hospital" describes the wider act of having been infirmed and gone to the hospital building, possibly with a stay, and having been seen by a nurse/doctor.




• Similarly, "he just got out of the hospital" implies that "he" has stepped out of the building, possibly having popped into the hospital shop for a lottery ticket; "he just got out of hospital" says that "he" has been discharged and is probably feeling much better.




• "I went to the school" describes the act of physically visiting the physical building, whereas "I went to school" talks about the wider act of having spent the day in an educational institution learning from your teachers.

You could mix and match them, but it's quite common to leave out the article in what is the more common case.

Wiktionary has an archived discussion on the issue, though it's from a lexicography viewpoint (does the phrase belong in a dictionary?).

Also, are there other common constructions other than those two that the British use that drop the article?

In hospital and at uni.

Also, (I'm pretty sure both Brits and) Americans use in bed, in school, in church, and in class.

Incidentally, there is a distinction between going into / in hospital (implies admission, and some length of stay that's pre-planned) and going to hospital (implies only a brief stay, usually to accident and emergency).

Yes, the point in your edit, is true.

For your main question, the answer is simple. It is not necessary to say "go to the hospital" or "go on the holiday", when talking in a general sense. Use of the word 'the', means that the sentence is in a particular sense. A reference to one, particular example. "go to the hospital" will mean going to one, particular hospital.

If what you mean is going to a hospital generally, for example talking about an injury that happened to you many years ago and an ambulance was called; then saying "the hospital", will have a different meaning.

I noticed that it is Americans who will speak like that. This sounds odd and unnecessary to me, as a British person. I have not heard any British people speak like that.

This can cause misunderstanding. I remember an example of this, when I was talking to an American friend. They mentioned an incident in which their neighbour had an accident and an ambulance was called. They said the neighbour was taken "to the hospital" and came home the next day. I asked which hospital and they stopped talking for a moment. They looked confused and asked why I would ask that, considering that I don't live near them and therefore would not be familiar with it. After explaining that this not how British people speak, they realised.

If what you mean is one, particular example, like going to a particular hospital or a particular school that you have referred to by name; then, saying "going to the hospital" or "going to the school', will make sense.

Basically, the word 'the', is not necessary in sentences that are in the general sense. The, is used when referring to something in a particular sense.

One facet of this that is confusing in American English is that you can go “to college”, but you are never “at university”, you are “at a university” and also “at college”. I have no idea why this is the case or is acceptable.

I’ve seen this with the previously mentioned “at uni”, “at hospital” and “in future”.

Since “the future” is a place (like a hospital or a university”and a time, I find this rather odd.