GRAMMAR : DETERMINERS

DETERMINERS

Determiners are words placed in front of a noun to make it clear what the noun refers to. 

lA determiner is a word that introduces a noun. It always comes before a noun, not after, and it also comes before any other adjectives used to describe the noun.

lDeterminers are required before a singular noun but are optional when it comes to introducing plural nouns.

A determiner is a word that comes before a noun or noun phrase. A determiner identifies whether the noun or noun phrase is general or specific.Let’s use the word “dog” for an example.

“Dog” with determiners:

A dog barked.

The dog barked.

In the first example, we do not know which dog barked. 

The determiner , “a,” is general in nature.

In the second example, a specific dog barked. 

The determiner, “the,” is specific in nature.

My brown dog barked.

Here, “my” is the determiner and “brown” is the adjective. The word, “my” shows the dog’s relationship to the speaker, whereas “brown” is simply a quality of the dog.

(A determiner is a word that comes before a noun or noun phrase. A determiner identifies whether the noun or noun phrase is general or specific.)

Kinds of Determiners

1.Articles- a ,an ,the

2. Demonstratives- this ,that ,these, those

3. Possessives -my , our,your ,his ,her ,etc.

4. Distributive -either ,neither ,each, every.

5. Quantifiers- some,any,much, many, several

Articles

Articles are among the most common of the determiners. There are three singular articles: a, an, and the. Articles specify (or determine) which noun the speaker is referring to. A and an are indefinite articles and are used when you are talking about a general version of the noun.

For example:

1. A dog is a good pet.

2. An ostrich would beat a chicken in a race.

In these examples, the sentence is talking about dogs or ostriches in general, meaning any dog. When your meaning is general, use an indefinite article. Note that a is used before words that begin with consonants while an is used before words beginning with vowels.

On the other hand, the is a definite article, meaning the speaker is referring to a specific noun.

For example:

1. We went to the best restaurant in town.

2. The dog is barking too loudly.

 Here the speaker is referring to a particular dog and a particular restaurant. It's not a general category, but only one animal or place that's important. When your meaning is specific, use a definite article.

 Demonstratives

Demonstrative pronouns are also used as determiners in English. There are four of them: this, that, these and those. Demonstratives are used in a situation in which the speaker can point to the item they mean, making them even more specific than a definite article. For example:

1. Do you want this piece of chicken?

2. I don't want to go to that movie.

3. These black raspberries are sour.

4. He wanted those boys to go away.

This and these refer to items nearby; that and those refer to items far away. Note also that this and that are singular while these and those are plural.

 Quantifiers

Quantifiers are determiners that indicate how much or how little of the noun is being discussed. They include words such as all, few,some,little,any, many etc.

For example:

1. He took all the books.

2. She liked all desserts equally.

3. Few children like beans, so the cafeteria stopped serving them.

4. Many kittens are taught to hunt by their mothers.

Note that all can be used with other determiners to specify which particular items are meant (i.e. all the books in this pile). In this case, the quantifier always comes before the article or demonstrative. It's also possible to use all alone to refer to items generally, as in the second example.

l Much is used with plural nouns and to show a large quantity of uncountable nouns.(There was much noise.)

l Many is used only with plural nouns and to show a large number. (There were many boys.)

l Some and any show not a very large quantity.Some is used in affirmative sentences.(There is some milk in the jug.)Any is used in interrogative or negative sentences.(Is she having any sugar ?There isn't any sugar.)

l Each refers to individual members of a small group,while Every refers to the members of a large group.Sometimes,both ‘each’ and ‘every’ can be used.Each of her sons has a car.Every eligible person must vote.

l Few (it means very small in number,not enough and below expectation),a Few (indicates some numbers)and the Few(very small specific numbers)

l Little (it means very small in quantity,not enough and below expectation) a Little(indicates some quantity)the Little(very small specific quantity)

She knows little about this deal.

A little water is still left in the glass.

The little milk that was left in the glass has been spilt by the cat.

Possessives

When referring to a noun that belongs to someone or something, you can use possessive pronouns to show ownership. Possessive pronouns include my, your, his, her, its, our, and their.

For example:

a. Where is your car?

b. The dog growled and showed its teeth.

c. My best friend is a cat.

d. Which one is his house?

e. Honesty is her best quality.

f. The tree shed its leaves.

g. It's our secret recipe.