Determiners
Determiners describe nouns which are placed before them. They answer the questions like 'which', 'how much', or 'how many'.
There are four kinds of determiners:
1. Articles: - a, an, the
The word “The” is regarded as the Definite Article while “A” and “An” function as Indefinite Article
E.g.:
- The boy in the blue shirt is my brother.
- Here is a gift for you.
- Eat an apple daily.
2. Demonstratives: - this, these, that, those
Demonstratives indicates persons, places, or things
E.g.:
- This girl; These girls; That man; Those men
- This book; These books; That tree; Those trees
- This village; These villages; That area; Those areas
3. Possessives: - my, our, your, his, her, its, their
Possessives are those which belong to somebody
E.g.:
- This is my house
- They are our workers
- Please wear your watch
- His father was a policeman.
- Her bag is kept in the room.
- The cat drinks its milk
- Their homes are well secured.
4. Other Determiners: -
a) Some, Any and No
“Some” used in affirmative sentences
- I have bought some apples
- Some people are born great.
“Any” used in negative sentences.
- He didn’t give me any money.
- Have you any samples?
“Any” used in affirmative sentences
- Any person can do it.
“Some” and “Any” used in interrogative sentences.
- Have you any/some money?
“No” used in negative sentences.
- He has no time
b) Much, Many, Many a
“Much” determines the quantity
- He has much work in hand.
“Many” determines the number.
- Many people gathered the meeting.
“Many a” describes many times. It is followed by a singular noun with a singular verb.
- Many a man has died at war.
- Many a flower is bloomed in springs.
c) Each, Every
“Each” indicates two or more persons or things.
- Each student will be given a prize.
- The three children had each a pastry.
“Every” used in more than two things or persons.
- Every one of the team had played well.
- The government expects every individual to abide rules
d) Few, A few, The few
“Few” denotes not many. It is negative in sentences.
- Few children came to school today.
“A few” denotes some. It is affirmative/positive in sentences.
- I have read a few stories.
“The few” denotes not many. It is both as negative as well as positive in sentences.
- The few ships he had, were lost at sea.
e) Little, A little, The little
“Little” denotes not much. It is used as negative in sentences.
- There is little hope of her recovery.
“A little” denotes some. It gives positive meaning.
- A little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
“The Little” denotes not much. It is both positive and negative in sentences.
- He spent the little money he had.
f) Either, Neither
“Either” denotes one of the two or both.
- There are footpaths on either side of the road.
- We can go by either flight.
“Neither” denotes not either or none of the two.
- Neither team is working hard.
g) All, Whole
“All” indicates number and quantity.
- All men are mortal.
- The cat drank all the milk.
“Whole” denotes the quantity.
- He read the whole book.
h) Less, Fewer
“Less” indicates quantity
- I carried less luggage than he did.
“Fewer” indicates the number.
- No fewer than sixty candidates were recruited.