toponyms - Which nouns should include an article after "go to [noun]" in AmE and BE?


When referring to a non-specific instance of a place (hospital, theatre), there seems to be a strange inconsistency as to when you use the. Is there any sort of pattern, or is there any reference site that lists these out somewhat comprehensively?


American English:



  • go to the hospital

  • go to school

  • go to church

  • go to the mall

  • go to the theater

  • go to the police station

  • go to the train station

  • go to the airport

  • go to the supermarket

  • go to the post office

  • go to the market (is go to market okay in American English?)

  • go to town

  • go to college

  • go to jail

  • go to the bank


British English:



  • go to hospital

  • go to school

  • go to church

  • go to the theatre

  • go to the cinema

  • ???


This question is inspired by the conversation here: Is there a reason the British omit the article when they "go to hospital"?




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