Which is correct?

Question

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

Answer 1

# 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.

Answer 2

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.