Contents

A. What are determiners? --------------------------------------------------------------------1

B. Types of determiners: -----------------------------------------------------------------------1

C. Difference between Demonstrative Adjectives and Demonstrative Pronouns ------------------ 5

D. Difference between Possessives Adjectives and Possessive Pronouns ------- 6

E. Exception: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 6

F. Some Common Determiners And Their Differences ------------------------------- 7

[Link]'s Eye View ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11

[Link] Examples ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11

I. Practice Yourself ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11

J. Solution ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13
 CHAPTER-1
DETERMINERS
A. What are determiners?

Determiners are words that are used in front of nouns or noun phrase to point
out either something specific or something of a common kind. They basically
modify nouns and can be used before a noun or a noun phrase to determine its
nature or number. We can actually see determiners to work like adjectives.

They are a part of adjectives. ADJECTIVES

DETERMINERS

Note: Never use singular nouns without a determiner, with plural nouns
determiner is optional.

B. Types of determiners: Determiners

(1) Articles

(2) Possessives

(3) Demonstratives

(4) Quantifiers

(5) Numerals

(4) Ordinal
numbers

(5) Interrogatives

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A determiner can perform two functions - (i) identify a singular or plural noun
in number and (ii) determine the nature of nouns - definite or indefinite.
Determiners also precede numbers or objects and indicate a quantity or
amount.
 Articles
a, an, the
 Possessives
my, mine, your, yours, our, ours, their, theirs, his, her, hers,
Demonstratives
this, that, these, those
 Quantifiers
little, much, more, enough, some, any, etc.
 Numerals
one, two, hundred, each, every, a few, few, etc.
 Ordinal numbers
first, last, second…
 Interrogatives
What?, Which? Whose?

1. ARTICLES

There are two kinds of articles:

(A) INDEFINITE ARTICLE - 'A' and 'An' are two indefinite articles which are used
to determine singular countable common nouns. These two have few
exceptional usages as well. The usage of 'a' and 'an' depends on the
pronunciation of the noun.
For a singular countable noun which begins with a vowel sound (a, e, i, o, u),
article 'an' is used. For a singular countable noun which begins with a
consonant sound, article 'a' is used.

Remember: while checking for the correct article usage pay attention to
the sound of the word, not on the spelling.

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(i) When words begin with a vowel alphabet but are pronounced with a
consonant sound, use article 'a'. For example - a uniform, a one-eyed man
(ii) When words begin with a consonant alphabet but are pronounced with a
vowel sound, use article 'an'.
For example - an MP, an honour, an SP
(iii) When words begin with the same alphabet but are pronounced with
different opening sounds, attention must be paid to the sound and chosen
accordingly. For example - an hour/ a humorous person
(iv) When an adjective comes before a singular countable noun, the initial
sound of the adjective decides which article should be used. However, the
article determines the nature of the noun only, not the adjective. For example -
A big event / An intelligent person
When to use 'A' or 'An'
➢ To express quantity. For example - a little milk, a lot of effort, a few books, a
number of people
➢ Before a countable or singular noun when it is mentioned for the first time.
➢ To refer to a singular object or a person.
➢ Before a proper noun when the person is not known. For example - A Mr.
Ranjan called for you.
➢ Before units of price, speed, weight, ratio. For example:
❖ Apples cost Rs 100 a kilo.
❖ Usain Bolt runs at 60 km an hour.
➢ In place of 'one' before certain numbers. For example - a hundred, an era, a
thousand years
➢ To express frequency. For example - once a month, thrice a year
➢ To denote 'make' of a product. For example - This bike is a Hero Honda.
When to not use 'A' or 'An'
❖ Before plural nouns.
❖ Before uncountable nouns.
❖ Before abstract nouns or names of substances.
(B) DEFINITE ARTICLE - 'The' is used as a definite article before specific nouns,
which are determined as particular or specific based on its usage. Article 'the'
can be used to determine both countable and uncountable nouns.

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DETERMINERS
When to use 'The'
➢ Before names of physical features and geographical areas. For example - the
Indian Ocean, the Himalayas, the Yamuna
➢ Before names of historical monuments or important buildings. For
example - The Red Fort, The Hanging Gardens
➢ Before a particular thing or person that has already been mentioned or is
known to both the speaker and the listener. For example - I saw a parrot
today. The parrot was talking like a human being.
➢ Before a qualified adjective of a proper noun. For example - the great
Einstein, the epic Milton
➢ Before a unique object or person. For example - the sun, the equator, the
universe
➢ Before names of groups that denote a class, a race, an ethnic group or a
community. For example - the Australians, the Indians, the Buddhists, the
poor
➢ Before names of countries or associations that are a united group. For
example - the United States of America, the Soviet Union, the People's
Republic of China
➢ Before names of certain books. For example - the Bible, the Quran, the Gita
➢ Before a surname in plural form to denote a family. For example - the
Williams, the Guptas
➢ Before superlatives and ordinals used as adjectives. For example - the first,
the best, the worst
➢ Before musical instruments. For example - the piano, the sitar
➢ To express the meaning of 'sufficient' or 'enough'. For example - He has the
power to meet all challenges.
➢ To denote a direction. For example - the east, the west, the north, the south
When to not use 'The'
➢ Before names of meals. For example - I am ready for lunch.
➢ Before names of proper nouns, abstract nouns and material nouns.

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DETERMINERS
➢ Before names of buildings like school, hospital, office, prison, university
when they are referred for their primary purpose. If they are mentioned for
some specific reason then article 'the' should be placed. For example:
❖ She goes to library at 5 pm.
❖ I am in the school to pick my report card.
➢ When two or more related nouns refer to the same person or object, then
article 'the' is not placed before the second noun. For example - My brother
is the founder and the CEO of his company.
C. Difference between Demonstrative Adjectives and Demons-
trative Pronouns
This, That, These, Those- These four demonstratives can be used as both
adjectives and pronouns.
For Example:
(a) This student is not paying attention. (Adjective)
(b) That girl is industrious. (Adjective)
(c) These grapes are sour. (Adjective)
(d) Those children are focused. (Adjective)

Note: Demonstrative Adjectives answer the question: Which?

(a) Isn’t it delicious? I brought this from home. (Pronoun)

(b) My favourite shirt? I forgot that at home. (Pronoun)
(c) Finally, I found matching shoes. I’ll take these. They are perfect. (Pronoun)
(d) Those are endangered species. (Pronoun)

Note: 'This' and 'That' are used for singular nouns and 'These' and 'Those'
are used for plural nouns. 'This' and 'These' refer to person(s) or thing(s)
nearby to the speaker. 'That' and 'Those' refer to person(s) and thing(s)
further away from the speaker.

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DETERMINERS
D. Difference between Possessives Adjectives and Possessive
Pronouns
‘my’, ‘your’, ‘his’, ‘her’, ‘its’, ‘our’, ‘their’, ‘mine’, ‘yours’, ‘ours’, ‘hers’, ‘theirs’, ‘one’s’
are known as possessives.
Possessives are used to define ownership or possession in a sentence.
For Example:
(a) I will sell my car soon.
(b) Rahul and Rohit are with their parents.
(c) He will support his family.
In all these sentences the possessives (determiners) are acting like adjectives.
Words like ‘mine’, ‘yours’, ‘ours’, ‘hers’, ‘his’ and ‘theirs’ act like possessive
pronouns. The sentence construction differs in the following way:

(i) Possessive Adjectives (ii) Possessive Pronouns

(a) That is my bag. (a) That bag is mine.
(b) These are our books. (b) These books are ours.
(c) This is his tie. (c) This tie is his.
(d) That is your desk. (d) That desk is yours.
(e) These are their cars. (e) These cars are theirs.

Note:
(i) Only the sentence construction differs, not the meaning.
(ii) Both possessive adjectives and possessive pronouns convey the same
meaning

Extra Dose: Possessive adjectives come before the noun and possessive
pronouns are placed after a noun.
E. Exception:
‘Its’ is only used as a possessive adjective.
Possessive determiners do not carry apostrophe. Only pronoun ‘one’ takes
apostrophe (‘s) to become possessive adjective.

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F. Some Common Determiners And Their Differences

Little, A little, The Little

1. They are used before uncountable nouns to express quantity.

2. ‘Little’ expresses negative meaning of scarcity for uncountable nouns.
E.g. They have little interest in science.
3. ‘A little’ expresses the meaning of a small amount in positive sense.
E.g. A little patience is enough to stay motivated.
4. ‘The little’ expresses the idea of only a small amount available.
E.g. The little milk left in the bowl was not enough for me.

Few, A Few, The Few

1. They are used before countable nouns to express number.
2. ‘Few’ expresses negative meaning of scarcity for countable nouns.
E.g. There are few good students in this class.
3. ‘A few’ expresses the meaning of a small number in a positive sense.
E.g. A few topics students have submitted the assignment on time.
4. ‘The Few’ expresses the idea of only a small number available.
E.g. The few students who appeared for the exam scored below average.

Other , Another, One

Other
It can be used with singular/plural countable nouns or uncountable nouns.
E.g.
(a) These and other issues will be discussed at the next meeting.
(b) The driver's wife and two other passengers were injured in the accident
Another
It is used to add an additional person or thing of the same type.
As an adjective, it is always placed before a singular noun.
E.g.
(a) I need one copy to send out, another for the files.

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DETERMINERS
(b) Should I order another bottle of milk?
One
It is used to say things about a particular member of a group or to denote a
person without reflecting on its gender. It is also used in place of ‘a’ or ‘an’.
E.g.
(a) One student missed the school bus.
(b) One should never miss a good opportunity.

More , Less , Fewer

More
It is used with both uncountable nouns and plural nouns. It refers to a
comparison. It is also used to denote additional quantity of something in a
sentence.
E.g. (a) You like more sugar in your coffee than I do.
(b) She pays more attention in physics class.
Less
It is generally used in front of uncountable nouns to determine an amount of
something which is smaller than another.
E.g. (a) Students from rural India get less opportunities.
Fewer
It is only used before plural nouns to refer to a group of things smaller than
another group.
E.g. (a) Fewer students appeared for UPSC this year.

Either, Neither
Either
It is used to determine one of the two things, people or situation. It may either
emphasise on both subjects as possibilities or one of them.
E.g.
(a) He plays either instrument well. (EACH)
(b) Flowers are blooming on either side of the road.
(Each)
(Being the one and the other of the two)

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DETERMINERS
(C ) You can take either road.
(Being the one or the other of the two)
Neither
It is actually the negative depiction of ‘either’. It always acts singular when used
with singular countable nouns.
E.g. (a) Neither assignment was accepted.

Much, Many, Many a

Much
It is used to determine uncountable nouns and emphasises upon a large
amount.
E.g.
Much patience is required to achieve success in life.
Many
It is used as a determiner for both singular and plural meaning.
E.g.
(a) Many students participated in dance competition.
(b) Many a man has tried but few men have succeeded.
(When used with a singular noun, it refers to a large number of things or
people.)

Most, Several, Enough

Most
It is used as a determiner with plural countable nouns. It denotes the meaning
of ‘nearly all of a group’.
E.g. (a) Most students scored good marks.
Several
It gives the meaning of ‘more than two but not a very large number’. Most often
it is used with plural nouns.
E.g.
(a) Several questions were out of syllabus in Board Exam this year.
Enough

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DETERMINERS
It is used before uncountable or plural nouns to express the meaning of
‘sufficient/as much’.
E.g. (a) Have you got enough money?

Each, Every

Each
It is used to depict the meaning of ‘two or more than two’. It is used when the
number in the group is limited or definite and can be used with plural nouns.
E.g.
(a) Each student had a different explanation.
(b) Each of the children received a present.
Every
It is used to depict the meaning of ‘more than two’.
It is used when the number is indefinite. It cannot be used with plural nouns.
E. g. Every student eagerly participated in debate competition.
BOTH
It is used to mention two persons or things of same kind to express the
importance of both simultaneously. For example:
Both of my parents are very supportive. She brought both the books from this
shop.
ALL
When used before an uncountable noun, it is used with a singular verb. For
example - All that is visible is not real.
When used before a countable plural noun, it is used with a plural verb. For
example - All the clothes were kept in the cupboard.
SOME
In affirmative sentences, it is used before both countable and uncountable
nouns. For example - some bottles, some courage. In case of interrogative
sentences, it is used to express a request, offer or order. For example - Can I give
you some advice?
ANY

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DETERMINERS
It is used before both countable and uncountable nouns in negative and
interrogative sentences. It is used to refer to a quantity of something that hardly
exists. It conveys the meaning of either 'every' or 'nothing in specific'. For
example:
Any support is appreciated.
Buy any shirt that you fancy.

G. Bird’s-eye view

 Determiners are used before nouns or pronoun phrases.

 Demonstrative Pronouns are not a part of determiners.
 Possessive Pronouns are not a part of determiners.

H. Solved examples
1. I know_____ members of that party. (several)
2. I am not one of ____ who always complain. (those)
3. That girl is a brilliant guitarist. All she needs is _____ training. (a little)
4. Reena is _____ interesting person. You must meet her. (an)
5. I need ____ half an hour to finish my paper. (another)

I.
Practice Yourself

1. ________________________people love to swim for exercise or just plain fun.

(Many, Many a, Much)
2. They hosted _________ dinner party in our honour. (A, An, The)
3. My mother has gone to ___________ school to pay my school fee. (A, An, The)
4. I request you to please call for _________doctor. (A, An, The).
5. Is there_________ (some, any, lesser) sugar in your milk?

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DETERMINERS

A. Directions: Fill in the blanks with 'many', 'much', 'a few', or 'a little'.
1. He told me that many relatives would be arriving today. As we don't have
__________ space in our house, he is taking them to the nearby cottage.
2. Put ___________ barley in the food to make it more delicious.
3. There are quite ____________stamps in my collection. I wonder how much
they are worth now.
4. She has ____________more scarfs to sew, but there is very little thread left on
the reel.
5. I shan't take ______________of your valuable time. I have got a few concerns
to clear up with you.
B. Directions: Fill in the blanks using 'each' or 'every'.

1. There were seven books on the table. book had a different colour and name.
2. Sheen tried to call Sneha twice, but time there was no reply.
3. We had a great trip to Malaysia. I enjoyed second of it.
4. parent cams about his/her children.
5. The Olympic games take place four years.
C. Directions: Fill in the blanks using 'fewer' or 'less'.

1. I would take ________ tablets if I were you.

2. Ashish earns ________ money but he spends more than Archit.
3. There were ________ accidents last year after the imposition of heavy fines
for speeding.
4. There is ________ diesel in my car so let's take Ram's car.
5. There are ________ jobs for post graduates now because of the cut-throat
competition.

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DETERMINERS
D. Directions: The following sentences have been divided into parts and
each part is labelled as (1). (2) and (3), respectively. Identify which part
carries an error of determiner. If the sentence has no mistake, then choose
option (4).
1. In past years. many of (1) / the rain forests has been (2) / destroyed due to our
negligence.(3) / No error (4)
2. A few minutes that she had(1) / at the end of the exam were(2) / not enough
for her to revise. (3) / No Error (4)
3. The manager and supervisor of the(1) / store were not able to put forward(2)
/ their opinions at the meeting(3) / No Error (4)
4. Many an electrical appliance (1) / is made in China(2) / these days (3) / No
Error (4)
5. Every visitor was (1) / requested to carry(2) / their ID proofs in the museum(3)
/ No Error (4)

J. Solutions

(1) Many (2) A (3) The (4) A (5) Any

A. 1. much 2. a little 3. a few 4. many 5. much

B. 1. Each 2. Each 3. Every 4. Every 5. Every
C. 1. Fewer 2. Less 3. Fewer 4. Less 5. Fewer

D. 1. (1) 'much' is required in place of 'many'.

2. (1) 'The few' is required in place of 'A few'.

3. (1) 'the' is required before 'supervisor'.
4. (4)

5. (3) 'his/her' is required in place of 'their'.

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