Left for (the) office

English grammar questions, answered by Alan

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Brahman
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Left for (the) office

Post by Brahman »

Could someone help me with the following?

Say, I am lunching in a restaurant. A colleague asks, "Where are you going after this?" Should I say, "(I am) returning to the office" or "(I am) returning to office."

Is the definite article, in such a situation, optional?

What about if I am going to work in the morning --- should it be "I am going to the office" or "I am going to office"?
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Joe
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Re: Left for (the) office

Post by Joe »

In all cases "the office" (or "my office" or "his office" etc). "I am going to office" is not English. This applies to most locations - the station, the park, the airport etc. But note that there are few exceptions (which are established expressions), eg:

go home
go to school
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