Determiners

Grammar Lesson: Determiners

Determiners are words that come before nouns and help us identify them more clearly. They can tell us things like which noun we are talking about, how many or how much of it there is, or who owns it. In this grammar lesson, we will look at some of the most common types of determiners and how to use them correctly.

The definite article: the

The definite article the is used when we want to refer to a specific noun that is already known or understood by both the speaker and the listener. For example:

• I saw the movie you recommended. It was great! (We both know which movie we are talking about.)
• She works at the hospital near my house. (There is only one hospital near my house.)
• He is the best singer in the world. (There is only one best singer in the world.)

We also use the when we want to refer to a whole class or group of things or people. For example:

• The internet has changed our lives. (We mean the internet in general, not a specific website or network.)
• The rich should pay more taxes. (We mean rich people in general, not specific individuals.)

The indefinite article: a/an

The indefinite article a or an is used when we want to refer to a nonspecific noun that is one member of a class or group. For example:

• I bought a book yesterday. (It doesn’t matter which book I bought.)
• She is an engineer. (She belongs to the class of engineers.)

We use a before nouns that start with a consonant sound, and an before nouns that start with a vowel sound. For example:

• a car, a university, a house
• an apple, an hour, an elephant

Demonstrative determiners: this/that/these/those

Demonstrative determiners are used to point out which noun we are talking about in relation to the speaker’s context. We use this and these for nouns that are close to the speaker, and that and those for nouns that are far from the speaker. For example:

• This book is mine. (The book is near me.)
• That book is yours. (The book is away from me.)
• These books are new. (The books are near me.)
• Those books are old. (The books are away from me.)

We also use demonstrative determiners to refer to something that has just been mentioned or is about to be mentioned. For example:

• I like chocolate cake. Do you like this? (This refers to chocolate cake.)
• There is something I need to tell you. Listen to this. (This refers to what I am going to say.)

Possessive determiners: my/your/his/her/its/our/their

Possessive determiners are used to show who or what owns or has something. They agree with the person or thing that possesses, not with the noun that follows. For example:

• This is my book. (I own the book.)
• That is your book. (You own the book.)
• This is his book. (He owns the book.)
• That is her book. (She owns the book.)
• This is its book. (It owns the book.)
• This is our book. (We own the book.)
• That is their book. (They own the book.)

Quantifiers: some/any/much/many/few/little/all/each/every/etc

Quantifiers are used to indicate how many or how much of something there is. They can be used with countable nouns (nouns that can be counted, such as books, apples, cars) or uncountable nouns (nouns that cannot be counted, such as water, money, information). Some common quantifiers are:

• Some: used for both countable and uncountable nouns in positive sentences and questions when we don’t want to specify an exact number or amount. For example:
  • I have some books in my bag.
  • Do you have some water?
• Any: used for both countable and uncountable nouns in negative sentences and questions when we don’t know or care about an exact number or amount. For example:
  • I don’t have any books in my bag.
  • Do you have any water?
• Much: used for uncountable nouns in negative sentences and questions when we want to express a large amount. For example:
  • I don’t have much money.
  • How much information do you need?
• Many: used for countable nouns in negative sentences and questions when we want to express a large number. For example:
  • I don’t have many friends.
  • How many apples do you want?
• Few: used for countable nouns in positive sentences when we want to express a small number. It has a negative connotation, implying that the number is not enough or satisfactory. For example:
  • I have few friends. (I am lonely or unpopular.)
  • He has few chances of winning. (He is unlikely to win.)
• A few: used for countable nouns in positive sentences when we want to express a small but sufficient number. It has a positive connotation, implying that the number is enough or satisfactory. For example:
  • I have a few friends. (I am not lonely or unpopular.)
  • He has a few chances of winning. (He is likely to win.)
• Little: used for uncountable nouns in positive sentences when we want to express a small amount. It has a negative connotation, implying that the amount is not enough or satisfactory. For example:
  • I have little money. (I am poor or broke.)
  • She has little patience. (She is easily annoyed or angry.)
• A little: used for uncountable nouns in positive sentences when we want to express a small but sufficient amount. It has a positive connotation, implying that the amount is enough or satisfactory. For example:
  • I have a little money. (I am not poor or broke.)
  • She has a little patience. (She is not easily annoyed or angry.)
• All: used for both countable and uncountable nouns in positive sentences when we want to express the whole number or amount. For example:
  • I have read all the books in the library.
  • He drank all the water in the bottle.
• Each: used for countable nouns in positive sentences when we want to express every individual member of a group or class. For example:
  • Each student has a different opinion.
  • She gave each child a candy.
• Every: used for countable nouns in positive sentences when we want to express every possible member of a group or class. For example:
  • Every book has a title.
  • He visits every country in the world.

There are many other quantifiers that can be used with different types of nouns, such as some, any, no, enough, several, etc. The important thing is to remember which ones can be used with countable or uncountable nouns, and which ones have positive or negative meanings.

Conclusion

Determiners are essential words that help us identify and specify nouns more clearly. They can tell us things like which noun we are talking about, how many or how much of it there is, or who owns it. In this grammar sheet, we have learned about some of the most common types of determiners and how to use them correctly. We hope you have found this grammar sheet useful and informative.