DISCOVERING GRAMMAR

DETERMINERS

Table of Contents

Determiners
Classification
Exercises
Web resources

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DISCOVERING GRAMMAR

DETERMINERS

DETERMINERS
Noun phrases express a range of meanings, some of which are more definite and
specific than others. These meanings are conveyed through a small set of words which
precede the noun, such as a, the, some, and those. Words of this kind, which
determine the number and definiteness of the noun phrase, are known as
determiners.
There are three kinds of determiner: central determiners, predeterminers and
postdeterminers.
Central determiners consist of the definite article (the), the indefinite article (a(n)),
and a few other words which can take their place, such as this, that, every, some
and any. These words never cooccur with an article.
a car

a this car (X)

some books

some the books (X)

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DETERMINERS

Predeterminers are words which can be used before the central determiners in
the noun phrase. These can be grouped into a very few types, nearly all of which
express notions of quantity, such as all, half, twice, a quarter, and such.
All the soda
Half the soda
Twice the price
A quarter the amount
Such a person!
It is not usually possible to use two predeterminers in the same noun phrase:
Such twice the price (x)
All Half the soda (X)
But note:

All such comments

Postdeterminers are words in the noun phrase which follow central determiners,
but precede adjectives. There are four main types:
1. Cardinal numerals
The three little birds
My two brothers
2. Ordinals
My first stereo
The last chapter
3. Quantifiers
His several stories
The many people
4. Informal quantifiers consisting of a noun plus of
A number of students
A lot of computers

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DETERMINERS

Ordinals and cardinals may occur, usually in that order:

The first three chapters
When the order alters, the meaning usually changes.
The last three chapters
The three last chapters
Words like this, that, some, much are called determiners only when they precede
a noun. If they occur alone, standing in for a noun, they are then being used as
pronouns.

Determiner

Pronoun

This hat is a bit big for you.

This is a lovely hat.

I cant understand that formula.

That is something I cant stand.

There isnt much oil left.

Much of what he said is not true.

CLASSIFICATION
1. Quantitative: they show how much of a thing is meant. Quantitative may qualify
only singular nouns.
He gave us some water.
There isnt much pollution.
2. Numeral: they show how many things are meant or in what order they come.
There are two types:
2.1 Definite numeral
a) Cardinals: they show how many things there are.
b) Ordinals: they show the serial order of the thing or things in question.
c) Multiplicative: they show how many times a thing is repeated.

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DETERMINERS

Cardinals

Ordinals

Multiplicative

One

first

single

Two

second

double, twice, twofold

Three

third

triple, threefold

2.2 Indefinite numeral:

they denote an indefinite number of things. They are

usually used with countable plural nouns.

Few students attended the meeting.
Can you see any figures?
Do you think we have enough chairs?
3. Demonstrative
3.1 Definite Demonstrative
The

This

That

These

Those

The same

Such

The other

3.2 Indefinite Demonstrative: they are used with countable singular nouns
A(n)

A certain

Some

Certain

Any

Such

Another

Other

You can take any bus.

He made such a mistake that everyone laughed at him.
4. Distributive: they show that the things are taken separately or in separate lots.
Each

Every

Either

Neither

5. Possessives: they denote possession.

My

Your

His

Her

Its

Their

Our

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DETERMINERS

6. Wh- determiners: they are used in asking questions or as introductory words in

clauses.
Which sweater do you like better?
Whose purse is this one?
What type of music do you like?
I wonder what color she likes

EXERCISES
Write down the determiners below under the correct column to indicate if
they are used with uncountable nouns, countable singular or countable plural
nouns.
The

Whose

Much

Some

Little

His

A lot of

Few

First

Any

This

Two

The other

These

Which

Every

Uncountable nouns
Sugar

Countable singular
Book

Countable plural
Books

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DETERMINERS

1. Which determiner is only used with uncountable nouns? ____________________

2. Which determiner is only used with countable plural nouns? _________________
3. Which determiner is used with both countable and uncountable nouns?
_________________
4. Which determiner denotes possession? _____________________
5. Which determiner shows or determines an indefinite quantity? ________________
6. Which determiner shows a definite amount? _____________________
7. Which determiner can be used with countable singular nouns? ________________
8. Which determiners can be used to ask questions? _______________________

Answer the questions below using a quantifier.

1. How much crime is there in your city or neighborhood?
2. How many public libraries are there in your town?
3. Does it take courage to get married?
4. How much traffic is there in your city?
5. How many cafeterias are there on campus?
Choose the correct alternative.
1. There hasnt been

much/many good news lately.

2. Either

is all right with me.

day/days

3. Few /less dictionaries are available.

4. The money /money doesnt make happiness.
5. There wasnt much/many trouble.
6. Theres little/many interest in multicultural issues.

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DETERMINERS

7. Do you have enough/ enough of baking powder?

Pick out the determiners in the paragraph below.
At first it was pretty exciting. There were bright lights, theaters, and stores, and
some really interesting people. I had to sleep on the streets, but I didnt mind. I
was free no school, no homework, and no parents.
But soon there was no food and no money either. Someone ripped off my purse
about a week after I arrived. I couldnt get a decent job because I was only 15,
and you have to be 16. I worked in a restaurant for a while, washing dishes. That
was really funny because Id always complained about doing the dishes at home.
I didnt make much money, but at least it was warm.

WEB RESOURCES

The Basic Elements of English

http://www.ucalgary.ca/UofC/eduweb/grammar/index.htm

Grammar and Mechanics

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/540/01/

Sentence elements
http://learningnerd.wordpress.com/?
s=DETERMINERS&searchbutton=go!Sentence analysis

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DETERMINERS

Guide to Grammar and Writing

http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/determiners/determiners
.htm

The Internet Grammar of English

http://www.ucl.ac.uk/internet-grammar/determin/ex1.htm
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/internet-grammar/determin/ex1.htm
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/internet-grammar/determin/ex1.htm

ELC Study Zone

http://web2.uvcs.uvic.ca/elc/StudyZone/200/grammar/

Merriam Websters Online Dictionary

http://www.m-w.com