Which is correct?
1. What did you do on the winter break?
or
2. What did you do on winter break?
I believe #2 is correect because the `the` is not needed. However, I cannot find a clear rule to support this. Please advise.
James
# 2 is most used -- at least here in the U.S.
James -- we native English speakers don't have clear rules about the use of articles. :-(
For instance, in the U.K., they say that someone went to hospital or went to university. In the U.S., we use the articles -- went to the hospital or went to the university.
I tell my EFL students that if they are unsure, it is best to use the article.
Here, the distinction seems to be a time (without "the") or a specific winter break (with "the"). They both mean the same thing....it's just how you say it.
Both are ok.
You are correct, sentence #2 is the correct option. In this case, the definite article "the" is not needed before "winter break."
The general rule is that when referring to specific time periods, such as holidays, seasons, or weekends, we usually omit the definite article "the." This is because these time periods are considered to be unique and distinct, and therefore do not require the definite article.
For example:
- What did you do on Halloween?
- What are you doing this summer?
However, it's worth noting that there are exceptions to this rule. In certain contexts, the definite article may be used to indicate a specific or particular winter break, such as when referring to a specific winter break in the past or a particular winter break that is known or mentioned in the conversation.
In most cases, though, it is more common and natural to omit the definite article when talking about winter break or any other similar time period.