Read these sentences. Then identify the word that is used before the noun. He wants to be a doctor An apple a day, keeps the doctor away. This book is very useful Please lend me some money My father was a famous musician
Determiners are words which we use before nouns. They tell us something about the nouns-which one, how many ,or how much. ARTICLES POSSESSIVES DEMONSTRATIVES QUANTIFIERS My Our Your His Her This That These Those Some Any Many Much A An The DETERMINERS DISTRIBUTIVE - each, every, all, either, neither ,etc .
ARTICLES : A / AN / THE The Indefinite Article The Definite Article Used for objects that are not specific to one of several things of a similar type A / AN THE Used for the first time we introduce an object Used when we mention the object again Used for specific objects that both the speaker and listener know E.g. The movie is based on a real-life incident. E.g. Can you give me the books on the table? E.g. I need a phone . E.g. I saw a movie last night.
USAGE EXAMPLES Used before words beginning with a consonant sound HOW TO USE A - AN A Man A Cat A Lamp Used before words that begin with A vowel sound An Aeroplane An Umbrella An Egg
WORDS BEGINNING WITH SILENT LETTER H An Hour An Honest Person WORDS BEGINNING WITH CONSONANT LETTER WITH VOWEL SOUND : An M.A An S.P.
WORDS BEGINNING WITH VOWEL LETTERS WITH CONSONANT SOUND : A one man show A University A European
INDEFINITE ARTICLES - A/AN 1) We do not use a or an before uncountable nouns such as milk, water, music, beauty, honesty, tea , etc. but we can use a or an before an uncountable noun in a particular sense, often with different meaning. Examples : I want tea ( Tea in general sense ) Give me a cup of tea 2) When we use a/an before an adjective . It is determined by its initial sound. Example: He is an honest man. A mobile phone is a useful gadget.
We use article the in the following cases: a. with a noun when it is repeated. As - I met a lawyer . The lawyer gave me a good advice. b. with a singular noun referring to a particular group or class. As- The lion is a beast of prey. c. Before a noun made definite by a phrase or clause. As – The lady in pink dress is his sister. The man who came late was not allowed to enter. DEFINITE ARTICLES - THE The main purpose of using’ the’ is to specify a person, thing or place. It can be used before countable and uncountable nouns: Examples: 1. I bought a book. The book is really interesting. 2. He is the man responsible for the mishap
d . Before the names of rivers, oceans, hills mountains, important religious books, some newspapers, and magazines. The Ganga, The Himalayas The Bible The Atlantic
e. in order to specify a person, place or thing. As- Some of the boys were very week. The film will be a box office hit. f. Before a noun becoming particular by reason of its position, locality. As- Father is in the lawn ( the lawn o f the house) Please pass the salt ( the salt on the table) g. before adjectives to refer to a group or class. As – the rich the needy
As- She is the most intelligent girl in our class. He is the bravest of all soldiers. h. Before superlatives As – The immortal Shakespeare lived here. The Mr Verma you all know came to meet me i . Before a noun made definite by a phrase or clause As- by the dozen, by the litre , both the brothers, the first chapter, the second person. j. In certain expression
DETERMINERS : POSSESSIVES Possessives indicate possession or ownership SUBJECT PRONOUN POSSESSIVE DETERMINER I MY YOU YOUR HE HIS SHE HER IT ITS WE OUR THEY THEIR
My dog My home My dogs His dog Her dog Its dog
DETERMINERS :DEMONSTRATIVES Demonstratives point to near or distant person (s),place (s), or object(s) Near Far Plural Singular This book That book These books Those books
DISTRIBUTIVE DETERMINERS Distributive determiners are unique words that refer to a group or a portion of a group, or several different entities. They indicate how items, people or elements are distributed or divided. Examples of distributive determiners include 'each', 'every', 'all', 'half', 'either', 'neither', 'only', 'both', among others. The coach instructed each player to warm up before the match. Every individual is entitled to freedom of speech. All the employees attended the annual meeting. Both Mary and Jane are studying English.
Difference b/w each & every Each is used to refer to a person or an object individually in a group. Eg - Each student was given a chocolate. Every is used to refer to all members of the group. Eg - She knows every student in the class.
EITHER (positive) Either- one or the other of two people or things Eg - There are trees on either side of the river. Eg - you can choose either option.
Neither (negative) It is used as to mean not one or the other. Eg - Neither argument is convincing. Eg - Neither parent came to meet the teacher.
DETERMINERS –QUANTIFIERS AND NUMBER DETERMINERS FOLLOWING NOUNS EXAMPLES Some Any Al l A lot of Countable plural & uncountable There are some boys in the room. A lot of Indians were there . A lot of water is wasted. There is some milk in the jug.
DETERMINERS FOLLOWING NOUNS EXAMPLES Many Several Few Both Much L ittle Countable Plural Many singers were praised. Few girls were present. There is much silence in the room. A little sugar will do. Uncountable
Note the use of the following determiners car efully : Some/any Some is used in affirmative sentences, in questions with ‘ yes’ as expected answer. EXAMPLES You are thirsty. Would you like some cold water? SOME ANY EXAMPLES Any is used in negative sentences and questions I don’t have any novel to read.
Much / Many Much indicates a large amount. it is used with only uncountable nouns. MUCH Many indicates a large number . It is used only with countable nouns MANY EXAMPLES How much money do you have? I know many Americans. A Lot of / Lots of We can use a lot of /lots of in place of much/many in an informal way. EXAMPLES You have a lot of time to do it. Lots of people are still superstitious.
A little / little The Little A little indicates ‘Some’ amount and little ‘very small ‘ amount of something . The little indicates whatever we have. Both are used before uncountable nouns. EXAMPLES Give me a little water , please. Even little help will encourage the maid. T he little milk that was on the table has been finished.. Plenty of Plenty of indicates a fairly good amount / number. EXAMPLES There is plenty of milk in the fridge. ( uncountable) We bought plenty of books for them. ( countable)
Few/ A few / The Few A few indicates ‘Some’ and few indicates a very small numbers . The few indicates whatever we have. Both are used before countable nouns. EXAMPLES Only a few people know me here. (Some) Few chairs were empty. ( a small number ) The few teachers who were present took the classes. NOTE : ‘ Quite a few’ can indicate a fairly large number. Quite a few persons know me here.( a good number) .
EITHER / NEITHER Either/ neither refer to two persons or things, and mean that both of two persons /things are ( are not) involved. EXAMPLES We can park on either side of the road. We will agree in neither case.
EXERCISES (PASSAGE I) Complete the following passage with suitable determiners . (a)……………morning, after breakfast, Naseem would come to (b)……..bed, in (c)………voice he would describe (d)……………scene, which I would work from dawn to dusk, as if (e)………………day would never end. (f)………….canvas finished and another started . ANSWERS (PASSAGE I) a) Every b) my c) a d) a e) the f) one
EXERCISES (PASSAGE II) Our principal is(a)……… woman of utter class and integrity. Sh e doe s not accept (b)………gift from students, teachers or parents. On (c) …………. occasion of (d)…………children’s day , s he rewarded(e)……. students for (f) ……….. honesty. Complete the following passage with suitable determiners . a) a b) any c) the d) the e) some f) their