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Determiners

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
438 views34 pages

Determiners

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DETERMINERS

Definition:
Determiners are words placed in front of a noun to make it clear what the noun refers to. For
example, a, the, every, an etc
It always comes before a noun, not after, and it also comes before any other adjectives used to describe
the noun.
Determiners are required before a singular noun but are optional when it comes to introducing plural
nouns.
For example, consider the placement and usage of the common determiner the in the sentences below:
The bunny went home.
I ate the chocolate cookie for dessert.
Metal cans are recyclable.
The metal cans are recyclable.
In every example, the determiner is placed before the noun or noun phrase, regardless of whether the
noun in the subject or predicate. In the first example, it comes directly before the noun, but in the second
example, it comes before the adjective ("chocolate") that describes the noun ("cookie").
Note also that in the third example there is no determiner, as determiners are optional for plural nouns
and noun phrases. When you want to discuss the noun in general (i.e., all metal cans), you don't need a
determiner for plural nouns. However, the fourth example shows that you may add a determiner to refer
to specific nouns (i.e., the metal cans right here).

Types of Determiners:
There are four different types of determiners in English:
Articles (Adjectives) (There are two types of Articles only)
Definite article: (the) the apple the mango
Indefinite articles: (a, an) an apple, a mango

Pronouns
Personal (only refereeing to persons-he, she we, I they,)
Demonstrative (to point out)-this, that, these, those
Interrogative Pronouns (to question) ‘wh
Indefinite pronoun-
Demonstratives (demonstrate = to point out) (pronouns) (this, that, these, those)
Quantifiers (a few, a little, much, many, a lot of, most, some, any, enough)
Numbers: (one, ten, thirty)
Distributives (pronouns): (all, both, half, either, neither, each, every)
Possessives (pronouns) (my, your, his, her, its, our, their)
Other Determiners
Determiners of Difference: (other, another, the other)
Pre-determiners: (such, what, rather, quite)

ARTICLES
Articles are among the most common of the determiners. There are three singular articles: a (one), an
(one), and the. Articles specify (or determine) which noun the speaker is referring to.
A and an are indefinite articles and are used when you are talking about a general version of the noun.
For example:
A dog is a good pet.
An ostrich would beat a chicken in a race.
Note that a is used before words that begin with consonants while an is used before words beginning
with vowels.
dr. sumer/determiners/page 1 of 34
On the other hand, the is a definite article, meaning the speaker is referring to a specific noun.
For example:
We went to the best restaurant in the town.
The dog is barking too loudly.
Here the speaker is referring to a particular dog and a particular restaurant. It's not a general category,
but only one animal or place that's important. When your meaning is specific, use a definite article.

When to use "the"


General rules
1. Use the to refer to something which has already been mentioned.
Examples
On Monday, an unarmed man stole $1,000 from the bank. The thief hasn't been caught yet.
I was walking past Benny's Bakery when I decided to go into the bakery to get some bread.
There's a position available in my team. The job will involve some international travel.
2. Use the when you assume there is just one of something in that place, even if it has not been
mentioned before.
Examples
We went on a walk in the forest yesterday.
Where is the bathroom?
Turn left and go to number 45. Our house is across from the Italian restaurant.
My father enjoyed the book you gave him.
3. Use the in sentences or clauses where you define or identify a particular person or object.

Phrase= a group of words without verb (eg. In the evening, )


Clause = sentence (main clause-main sentence, subordinate clause-secondary sentence.)
Types of clauses:
1. Main Clause
2. Subordinate clause
Main clause= one subject and one verb and it is complete in itself. Eg you can go home.
Subordinate clause(secondary clause) =one subject and one verb but incomplete in sense or meaning.
Eg. whenever you like.
Types of Subordinate clauses:
1. Noun Clause
2. Adjective clause
3. Adverb Clause
You can go home whenever you like.
Kindly give this pen to someone whoever wants it.
(That you should say this) is very strang
S v o
Examples
The man who wrote this book is famous.
I scratched the red car parked outside.
I live in the small house with a blue door.
He is the doctor I came to see.
4. Use the to refer to people or objects that are unique.
Examples
The sun rose at 6:17 this morning.
You can go anywhere in the world.
Clouds drifted across the sky.
The president will be speaking on TV tonight.
The CEO of Total is coming to our meeting.
dr. sumer/determiners/page 2 of 34
5. Use the before superlatives and ordinal numbers.

Degrees of comparison
Positive degree= good, tall
Comparative degree = better, taller (er) than
Superlative degree = best, tallest (est)

Examples
This is the highest building in New York.
She read the last chapter of her new book first.
You are the tallest person in our class.
This is the third time I have called you today.
6. Use the with adjectives, to refer to a whole group of people.
Examples
The French enjoy cheese.
The elderly require special attention.
She has given a lot of money to the poor.
7. Use the with decades.
Examples
He was born in the seventies.
This is a painting from the 1820's.
8. Use the with clauses introduced by only
Examples
This is the only day we've had sunshine all week.
You are the only person he will listen to.
The only tea I like is black tea.

Proper nouns
9. Use the with names of geographical areas, rivers, mountain ranges, groups of islands, canals,
and oceans.
Examples
They are travelling in the Arctic.
Our ship crossed the Atlantic in 7 days.
I will go on a cruise down the Nile.
Hiking across the Rocky Mountains would be difficult.
10. Use the with countries that have plural names.
Examples
I have never been to the Netherlands.
Do you know anyone who lives in the Philippines?
11. Use the with countries that include the words "republic", "kingdom", or "states" in their names.
Examples
She is visiting the United States.
James is from the Republic of Ireland.
12. Use the with newspaper names.
Examples
I read it in the Guardian.
She works for the New York Times.
13. Use the with the names of famous buildings, works of art, museums, or monuments.
Examples
Have you been to the Vietnam Memorial?
We went to the Louvre and saw the Mona Lisa.
dr. sumer/determiners/page 3 of 34
I would like to visit the Eiffel Tower.
I saw King Lear at the Globe.
14. Use the with the names of hotels & restaurants, unless these are named after a person.
Examples
They are staying at the Hilton on 6th street.
We ate at the Golden Lion.
15. Use the with the names of families, but not with the names of individuals.
Examples
We're having dinner with the Smiths tonight.
The Browns are going to the play with us.
When not to use "the"
1. Do not use the with names of countries (except for the special cases above).
Examples
Germany is an important economic power.
He's just returned from Zimbabwe.
2. Do not use the with the names of languages.
Examples
French is spoken in Tahiti.
English uses many words of Latin origin.
Indonesian is a relatively new language.
3. Do not use the with the names of meals.
Examples
Lunch is my favourite meal.
I like to eat breakfast early.
4. Do not use the with people's names.
Examples
John is coming over later.
Mary Carpenter is my boss.
5. Do not use the with titles when combined with names.
Examples
Prince Charles is Queen Elizabeth's son.
President Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas.
6. Do not use the after the 's possessive case
Examples
His brother's car was stolen.
Peter's house is over there.
7. Do not use the with professions
Examples
Engineering is a well-paid career.
He'll probably study medicine.
8. Do not use the with names of shops
Examples
I'll get the card at Smith's.
Can you go to Boots for me?
9. Do not use the with years
Examples
1948 was a wonderful year.
He was born in 1995.
10. Do not use the with uncountable nouns
Examples
Rice is an important food in Asia.
dr. sumer/determiners/page 4 of 34
Milk is often added to tea in England.
War is destructive.
11. Do not use the with the names of individual mountains, lakes and islands
Examples
Mount McKinley is the highest mountain in Alaska.
She lives near Lake Windermere.
Have you visited Long Island?
12. Do not use the with most names of towns, streets, stations and airports
Examples
Victoria Station is in the centre of London.
Can you direct me to Bond Street?
She lives in Florence.
They're flying into Heathrow.

Exercises on Definite Article


1. My grandmother likes ________very much. (flowers, the flowers)
2. I love ______ in your garden. (flowers, the flowers)
3. See you on _______. (Wednesday, the Wednesday)
4. I always listen to ______ in the morning. (radio, the radio)
5. Alex goes to work by ________. (bus, the bus)
6. Don't be late for ________. (School, the school)
7. Listen! Dennis is playing ________. (trumpet, the trumpet)
8. We often see our cousins over ______. (Easter, the Easter)
9. She has never been to ________ before. (Alps, the Alps)
10. What about going to Australia in ______. (February, the February)
Ans:
1. My grandmother likes flowers very much.
2. I love the flowers in your garden.
3. See you on Wednesday.
4. I always listen to the radio in the morning.
5. Alex goes to work by bus.
6. Don't be late for school.
7. Listen! Dennis is playing the trumpet.
8. We often see our cousins over Easter.
9. She has never been to the Alps before.
10. What about going to Australia in February?
Exercise
1. Last year we visited __ (St. Paul’s Cathedral/ the St. Paul’s Cathedral) and __. (tower/ the tower)
2. ____ (Mt. Everest/the Mt. Everest) is ___ (the highest mountain/ highest mountain) on earth.
3. _____ (Loch Ness/the Loch Ness) is _____ (most famous lake/the most famous lake) in Scotland.
4. _______ (most children/the most children) like ______ (sweets/the sweets).
5. ______ (summer of 2003/the summer of 2003) was hot and dry.
6. ______ (Plaza Hotel/the Plaza Hotel) is on the corner of ____ (59th street/the 59th
street) and_______ (5th Avenue/the 5th Avenue).
7. My sister often stays at _____ (uncle Tim’s/the uncle Tim’s) in Detroit.
8. Our friends ______ (Millers/ the Millers) moved to Florida last August.
9. ____ (smog/ the smog) is a problem in _____ (big cities/ the big cities).
10. Our children go to _____ (the school/school) by _____ (bus/the bus).
Ans:
1. Last year we visited St. Paul's Cathedral and the Tower.
2. Mount Everest is the highest mountain on earth
dr. sumer/determiners/page 5 of 34
3. Loch Ness is the most famous lake in Scotland.
4. Most children like sweets.
5. The summer of 2003 was hot and dry.
6. The Plaza Hotel is on the corner of 59th Street and 5th Avenue.
7. My sister often stays at Uncle Tim's in Detroit.
8. Our friends the Millers moved to Florida last August.
9. Smog is a problem in big cities.
10. Our children go to school by bus.
Indefinite articles (a, an)
In English, the two indefinite articles are a and an.
Use a when the next word starts with a consonant, or before words starting in u and ‘eu’ when they
sound like you.
1. Use ‘an’ when the next word starts with a vowel (a, e, I, o, u) or with a mute h.
Examples
a boy
an apple a big elephant a university
a car an itchy sweater a unit
a helicopter an ugly duck an hour
an elephant a European an honour
2. Use a to refer to something for the first time.
Examples
Would you like a soft drink?
I've finally got a good job.
An elephant and a mouse fell in love.
3. Use a with names of jobs.
Examples
John is a doctor.
Mary is training to be an engineer.
He wants to be a dancer.
4. Use a with nationalities and religions in the singular.
Examples
John is an Englishman.
Kate is a Catholic.
5. Use a with the names of days of the week when not referring to any particular day.
Examples
I was born on a Thursday.
Could I come over on a Saturday sometime?
6. Use a to refer to an example of something.
Examples
The mouse had a tiny nose.
The elephant had a long trunk.
It was a very strange car.
7. Use a with singular nouns after the words 'what' and 'such'.
Examples
What a shame!
She's such a beautiful girl.
What a lovely day!
8. Use a meaning 'one', referring to a single object or person, or a single unit of measure. In these
sentences using "one" instead of the indefinite article is grammatically correct. It will add
emphasis to the number, and contrast with other numbers.
Examples
dr. sumer/determiners/page 6 of 34
I'd like an orange and two lemons please.
I'd like one orange and two lemons please.
The burglar took a diamond necklace and some valuable paintings.
I can think of a hundred reasons not to come.
I can think of one hundred reasons not to come.
I need a kilogram of sugar.
I need one kilogram of sugar.
You can't run a mile in 5 minutes!
Exercise: (Solve this)
1. There is ______ green English book on the desk.
2. She's reading ______old comic.
3. They've got _____idea.
4. He is drinking ______cup of coffee.
5. The girl is ______pilot.
6. Leipzig has ______airport.
7. This is ______expensive bike.
8. Look! There's ______bird flying.
9. My father is _______honest person.
10. My friend likes to be ______astronaut.
Ans:
1. There is a green English book on the 6. Leipzig has an airport.
desk. 7. This is an expensive bike.
2. She's reading an old comic. 8. Look! There's a bird flying.
3. They've got an idea. 9. My father is an honest person.
4. He is drinking a cup of coffee. 10. My friend likes to be an astronaut.
5. The girl is a pilot.
Exercise:
Fill in the correct definite or indefinite article: "the", "a", "an" or "x" (zero article).
1. I bought ________pair of shoes.
2. I saw _________movie last night.
3. They are staying at _______hotel.
4. Look at _________woman over there! She is a famous actress.
5. I do not like _______basketball.
6. That is ________ girl I told you about.
7. ________night is quiet. Let's take a walk!
8. ________price of gas keeps rising.
9. John travelled to _______Mexico.
10. Juan is ________ Spanish.
11. I read _______amazing story yesterday.
12. My brother doesn't eat _______chicken.
13. ________ love is such ________ beautiful thing.
14. I live in ________ apartment. ______________ apartment is new.
15. I would like ______ piece of cake.
16. I was in _________ Japanese restaurant. _________ restaurant served good food.
17. Sara can play _______ guitar.
Ans:
1. I bought a pair of shoes.
2. I saw a movie last night.
3. They are staying at a hotel.
4. Look at the woman over there! She is a famous actress.
5. I do not like X basketball.
6. That is the girl I told you about.
dr. sumer/determiners/page 7 of 34
7. The night is quiet. Let's take a walk!
8. The price of gas keeps rising.
9. John travelled to X Mexico.
10. Juan is X Spanish.
11. I read an amazing story yesterday.
12. My brother does not eat X chicken.
13. X love is such a beautiful thing.
14. I live in an apartment. The apartment is new.
15. I would like a piece of cake.
16. I was in a Japanese restaurant. The restaurant served good food.
17. Sara can play the guitar.
DEMONSTRATIVE
‘This’ -used for singular noun and which is closer to you
‘These’- used for plural noun and closer to you
‘That’- singular noun and not closer to you-far away
‘Those’-used for plural noun and not closer to you-far away objects
Demonstrative pronouns are also used as determiners in English. There are four of them: this, that,
these and those. Demonstratives are used in a situation in which the speaker can point to the item they
mean, making them even more specific than a definite article.
For example:
Do you want this piece of chicken?
I don't want to go to that movie.
These black raspberries are sour.
He wanted those boys to go away.
This and these refer to items nearby; that and those refer to items far away.
Note also that this and that are singular while these and those are plural.
Demonstratives show where an object, event, or person is in relation to the speaker. They can refer to a
physical or a psychological closeness or distance. When talking about events, the near demonstratives
are often used to refer to the present while the far demonstratives often refer to the past.
Near the speaker Far from the speaker
Adverb Here There
Demonstrative with singular nouns & uncountable nouns This That
Demonstrative with plural countable nouns These Those
Demonstrative usage
Far and Near
Examples
Near the speaker Far from the speaker
Is this John's house? Is that John's house over there?
This is a nice surprise! That must have been a nice surprise for you.
These apples are mine. Those apples are yours.
What are you up to these days? Those days are long gone.
This time I won't be late. We really surprised you that time.
This sugar is for my crepes. You can use that sugar for your cake.
Sentence placement
Demonstratives can be placed before the noun or the adjective that modifies the noun.
Examples
This blue car needs to be washed next.
Those people were here first.
That metal rod should work.
These oranges are delicious.
Demonstratives can also appear before a number by itself when the noun is understood from the context.
Examples
dr. sumer/determiners/page 8 of 34
I'd like to try on that one.
This one is broken.
I'll take these three.
Those two are not as pretty as these two.
Demonstratives can be used by themselves when the noun they modify is understood from the context.
Examples
I'll never forget this.
That has nothing to do with me.
I didn't ask for these.
Those aren't mine.
QUANTIFIERS
Quantifiers are determiners that indicate how much or how little of the noun is being discussed. They
include words such as all, few and many. For example:
He took all the books.
She liked all desserts equally.
Few children like lima beans, so the cafeteria stopped serving them.
Many kittens are taught to hunt by their mothers.
Note that all can be used with other determiners to specify which particular items are meant (i.e. all the
books in this pile). In this case, the quantifier always comes before the article or demonstrative. It's also
possible to use all alone to refer to items generally, as in the second example.
Quantifiers are adjectives and adjectival phrases that give approximate or specific answers to the
questions "How much?" and "How many?" The pages in this section will teach you more about the
different quantifiers in English and how they are used.
Quantifiers in English
1. Numbers in English: ordinal, cardinal, and percentages
2. Choosing the right quantifier: countable and uncountable nouns
3. Expressing opinions about quantity
4. Indefinite and incomplete quantities
5. Using graded quantifiers to compare amounts
6. Using the quantifier "enough"

1. Numbers in English
The cardinal numbers (one, two, three, etc.) are adjectives referring to quantity, and the ordinal numbers
(first, second, third, etc.) refer to distribution.
Number Cardinal Ordinal
1 one first
2 two second
3 three third
4 four fourth
5 five fifth
6 six sixth
7 seven seventh
8 eight eighth
9 nine ninth
10 ten tenth
11 eleven eleventh
12 twelve twelfth
13 thirteen thirteenth
14 fourteen fourteenth
15 fifteen fifteenth
16 sixteen sixteenth

dr. sumer/determiners/page 9 of 34
17 seventeen seventeenth
18 eighteen eighteenth
19 nineteen nineteenth
20 twenty twentieth
21 twenty-one twenty-first
22 twenty-two twenty-second
23 twenty-three twenty-third
24 twenty-four twenty-fourth
25 twenty-five twenty-fifth
26 twenty-six twenty-sixth
27 twenty-seven twenty-seventh
28 twenty-eight twenty-eighth
29 twenty-nine twenty-ninth
30 thirty thirtieth
31 thirty-one thirty-first
40 forty fortieth
50 fifty fiftieth
60 sixty sixtieth
70 seventy seventieth
80 eighty eightieth
90 ninety ninetieth
100 one hundred hundredth
500 five hundred five hundredth
1,000 one thousand thousandth
1,500 one thousand five hundred, or fifteen hundred one thousand five hundredth
100,000 one hundred thousand hundred thousandth
1,000,000 one million millionth
Examples
There are twenty-five people in the room.
He was the fourteenth person to win the award.
Six hundred thousand people were left homeless after the earthquake.
I must have asked you twenty times to be quiet.
He went to Israel for the third time this year.

Reading decimals
Read decimals aloud in English by pronouncing the decimal point as "point", then read each digit
individually. Money is not read this way.
Written Said
0.5 point five
0.25 point two five
0.73 point seven three
0.05 point zero five
0.6529 point six five two nine
2.95 two point nine five
Reading fractions
Read fractions using the cardinal number for the numerator and the ordinal number for the denominator,
making the ordinal number plural if the numerator is larger than 1. This applies to all numbers except
for the number 2, which is read "half" when it is the denominator, and "halves" if there is more than one.
Written Said
1/3 one third
3/4 three fourths
dr. sumer/determiners/page 10 of 34
5/6 five sixths
1/2 one half
3/2 three halves
Pronouncing percentages
Percentages are easy to read aloud in English. Just say the number and then add the word "percent".
Written Pronounced
5% five percent
25% twenty-five percent
36.25% thirty-six point two five percent
100% one hundred percent
400% four hundred percent
Reading sums of money
To read a sum of money, first read the whole number, then add the currency name. If there is a decimal,
follow with the decimal pronounced as a whole number, and if coinage has a name in the currency, add
that word at the end. Note that normal decimals are not read in this way. These rules only apply to
currency.
Written Spoken
25$ twenty-five dollars
52€ fifty-two euros
140₤ one hundred and forty pounds
$43.25 forty-three dollars and twenty-five cents (shortened to "forty-three twenty-five" in everyday
speech)
€12.66 twelve euros sixty-six
₤10.50 ten pounds fifty
Pronouncing measurements
Just read out the number, followed by the unit of measurement, which will often be abbreviated in the
written form.
Written Spoken
60m sixty meters (metres)
25km/h twenty-five kilometers per hour (Kilometres)
11ft eleven feet
2L two liters/ litres
3tbsp three tablespoons
1tsp one teaspoon
Pronouncing years
Reading years in English is relatively complicated. In general, when the year is a four-digit number,
read the first two digits as a whole number, then the second two digits as another whole number. There
are a few exceptions to this rule. Years that are within the first 100 years of a new millennium can be
read as whole numbers even though they have four digits, or they can be read as two two-digit numbers.
Millennia are always read as whole numbers because they would be difficult to pronounce otherwise.
New centuries are read as whole numbers of hundreds. We do not use the word "thousand", at least not
for reading years within the past 1000 years.
Years that have just three digits can be read as a three-digit number, or as a one -digit number followed
by a two-digit number. Years that are a two-digit number are read as a whole number. You can precede
any year by the words "the year" to make your meaning clear, and this is common for two- and three-
digit years. Years before the year 0 are followed by BC, pronounced as two letters of the alphabet.
Interestingly, these rules apply to reading street addresses as well.
Written Spoken
2014 twenty fourteen or two thousand fourteen
2008 two thousand eight
2000 two thousand
dr. sumer/determiners/page 11 of 34
1944 nineteen forty-four
1908 nineteen o eight
1900 nineteen hundred
1600 sixteen hundred
1256 twelve fifty-six
1006 ten o six
866 eight hundred sixty-six or eight sixty-six
25 twenty-five
3000 BC three thousand BC
3250 BC thirty two fifty BC
How to say 0
There are several ways to pronounce the number 0, used in different contexts. Unfortunately, usage
varies between different English-speaking countries. These pronunciations apply to American English.
Pronunciation Usage
zero Used to read the number by itself, in reading decimals, percentages, and phone
numbers, and in some fixed expressions.
o (the letter name) Used to read years, addresses, times and temperatures
nil Used to report sports scores
nought Not used in the USA
Examples
Written Said
3.04+2.02=5.06 Three point zero four plus two point zero two makes five point
zero six.
There is a 0% chance of rain. There is a zero percent chance of rain.
The temperature is -20⁰C. The temperature is twenty degrees below zero.
You can reach me at 0171 390 1062. You can reach me at zero one seven one, three nine zero, one
zero six two
I live at 4604 Smith Street. I live at forty-six o four Smith Street
He became king in 1409. He became king in fourteen o nine.
I waited until 4:05. I waited until four o five.
The score was 4-0. The score was four nil.

2. Pick/Choosing the right quantifier


To answer the questions How much? and How many? certain quantifiers can be used with countable
nouns (friends, cups, people), others with uncountable nouns (sugar, tea, money) and still others with all
types of nouns.
Only with uncountable nouns With all types of nouns Only with countable nouns
Little, a little, the little no, none, not any Few, a few, the few
a bit of some a number of
any several
a great deal of a lot of, lots of a great number of
a large amount of plenty of a large number of
Little-a little-the little (uncountable)
Few-a few-the few (countable)
Examples
Would you like some tea and a few cookies?
I always put a little milk and some carrots in my soup.
He has several apples. I don't have any fruit at all.
She has plenty of clothes for the winter.
I received a large amount of feedback from my survey.

dr. sumer/determiners/page 12 of 34
Using "much” (uncountable) and "many"(countable)
Much & Many used only with (Interrogative & Negative)
Too much & so many used only with (Affirmative & Negative)
Much and many are mainly used in interrogative and negative sentences. They are also used in
affirmative and negative sentences in combination with too and so.
Much=a lot of/lots of used only with (affirmative)
Notice: the word many can be used alone in affirmative sentences while the word much cannot. Much is
replaced in affirmative sentences with a lot of’ or lots of (these expressions can also replace many).
Uncountable nouns Countable nouns
How much sugar do you have? (?) How many people came to the concert? (?)
There's not much sugar at the store. (-) Not many people came to the concert. (-)
I have too much sugar at home. (+) There were too many people at the concert. (+)
I don't know what to do with so much sugar. (-) It's a problem when there are so many people. (+)
I wish there was not so much sugar here. (-) There were not so many people last year. (-)
There is a lot of sugar in candy. (+) There are many people who want to come. = There
are a lot of people who want to come.

3. Expressing opinions about quantity


The quantifiers few and a few, and little and a little seem nearly identical but they are actually quite
distinct. These expressions show the speaker's attitude towards the quantity he is referring to as either
positive or negative.
(Countable but +) A few/the few (Uncountable but +) a little/the little
(Countable but -) Few (Uncountable but -) little
Positive attitude
A few (for countable nouns) and a little (for uncountable nouns) describe the quantity in a positive way,
implying that although the speaker may not have much, he has enough.
Examples
I've got a few friends. = I have enough friends.
I have a few flowers in my garden. = I have enough flowers.
I've got a little money. = I have enough money.
I have a little free time on Thursdays. = I have enough free time.
Negative attitude
Few (for countable nouns) and little (for uncountable nouns) describe the quantity in a negative way.
They may actually indicate a total lack of the noun, but are more polite than saying so directly.
Examples
Few people visited him in hospital. = he had almost no visitors, or perhaps no visitors at all.
I've seen few birds around here. = there are almost no birds, or perhaps not a single bird
He had little money for treats. = almost no money, or perhaps no money at all
I have little time for TV = almost no time, or perhaps no time at all

4. Indefinite and incomplete quantities


Some and any can be used with countable and uncountable nouns to describe an undefined or
incomplete quantity.
Using "some"
Some can be used in descriptive sentences.
Examples
I had some rice for lunch.
He got some books from the library.
I will have some news next week.
Philip wants some help with his exams.
There is some butter in the fridge.
Some is also used in interrogative sentences when you think you already know the answer.
dr. sumer/determiners/page 13 of 34
Examples
Did he give you some tea? = I think he did.
Is there some fruit juice in the fridge? = I think there is.
Would you like some help? = Probably you do.
Will you have some roast beef? = Probably you will
Some can also be used in interrogative sentences to ask for something or to offer something.
Examples
Could I have some books, please?
Why don't you take some apples home with you?
Would you like some tea?
Will you have some cake?

Using "any"
Any is used in interrogative sentences when you do not know the answer.
Examples
Do you have any friends in London?
Do they have any children?
Do you want any groceries from the shop?
Are there any problems with your work?
Any is also used with not to form negative sentences. In these sentences, the word any emphasizes the
negativity to make it more absolute.
Examples
She doesn't want any kitchen appliances for Christmas.
They don't need any help moving to their new house.
I don't want any cake.
There isn't any reason to complain.

5. Graded quantifiers
Graded quantifiers allow us to compare the quantity of one thing with the quantity of another, without
specifying an exact quantity for either element. Graded quantifiers precede nouns. Different quantifiers
are needed for countable and uncountable nouns. Sometimes the noun can be omitted when it is
understood from the context.
They are distinct from comparatives and superlatives, which compare the degrees of a quality
(adjectives) or the degree of the manner something was done (adverbs). Graded quantifiers, like
comparatives and superlatives, hold a relative position on a scale of increase or decrease. The superlative
grade is always preceded by the in a sentence.
Quantifier Comparative grade Superlative grade
With plural countable nouns
many more most
few fewer fewest
With uncountable nouns
much more most
little less least
Examples
There are many people in England, more people in India, but the most people live in China.
Much time and money is spent on education, more on health services but the most is spent on national
defence.
Few rivers in Europe are not polluted.
Fewer people die young now than in the seventeenth century.
The country with the fewest people per square kilometre must be Australia.
Scientists have little hope of finding a complete cure for cancer before the year 2020.
She had less time to study than Paul but had better results.
dr. sumer/determiners/page 14 of 34
Give that dog the least opportunity and it will bite you.

6. Enough as a quantifier
Enough can be used as a quantifier when it is placed before any noun, to indicate the quantity required
or necessary. It can be used in both affirmative and negative sentences.
Examples
There is enough bread for lunch.
She has enough money.
There are not enough apples for all of us.
I don't have enough sugar to make a cake.
The word enough can also be an adverb of degree, in which case it is not placed before a noun.

Distributives
Distributive determiners refer to a group of people or things, and to individual members of the group.
They show different ways of looking at the individuals within a group, and they express how something
is distributed, shared, or divided.
Using distributive Pronouns
Using "each" and "every" to talk about the members of a group as individuals
Using "all" to talk about the whole group
Using "half" to talk about a divided group
Using "both", "either", and "neither" to talk about pairs of people or things

Using "each" and "every"


Each is a way of seeing the members of a group as individuals, while every is a way of seeing a group
as a series of members. These distributives can only be used with countable nouns. They are normally
used with singular nouns, and are placed before the noun. In many cases, they are interchangeable.
Examples
Each child received a present.
Every child received a present.
I gave each plant some water.
I gave every plant some water.
Each can also be used with plural nouns and pronouns but must be followed by 'of'. Every cannot be
used with plural nouns.
Examples
Each of the children received a present.
I gave each of the plants some water.
He told each of us our jobs.
I gave each of them a kiss.
Every can express different points in a series, especially with time expressions. Each works in the same
way, but is less common.
Examples
Every morning John goes jogging.
This magazine is published every week.
I have my coffee here every day.
I go to visit my mother each week.
Each Monday, he buys a kilo of apples.
Using "all" as a distributive
The distributive determiner all is used to talk about a whole group, with a special emphasis on the fact
that nothing has been left out. All can be used as a distributive in several different patterns.
All can be used with uncountable nouns and plural countable nouns by itself. In this usage, it refers to
the group as a concept rather than as individuals.
Examples
dr. sumer/determiners/page 15 of 34
All cheese contains protein.
I like all dogs.
All children need affection.
This soap is for all purposes.
All can be used with uncountable nouns and plural countable nouns preceded by the or a possessive
adjective. In this case, the meaning is shifted towards referring to a concrete, physical group rather than
the group as a concept. In these uses, the word of can be added just after all with no change in meaning.
Examples
All the people in the room were silent.
All of the birds flew away.
Have you eaten all the bread?
I will need all of the sugar.
I've invited all my friends to the party.
I've used up all of our eggs.
You wasted all your time.
All can be used with plural pronouns preceded by of.
Examples
All of us are going.
He scolded all of you.
Did you find all of them?
All can be used in questions and exclamations with uncountable nouns preceded by this or that. In these
uses, the word of can be added just after all with no change in meaning.
Examples
Who has left all this paper on my desk?
Look at all this snow!
Why is all of that sugar on the floor?
Where did all of these confetti come from?
All can be used in questions and exclamations with countable nouns preceded by these or those. In
these uses, the word of can be added just after all with no change in meaning.
Examples
Look at all those balloons!
Where did all of those books come from?
Why are all these children crying?

Using the word "half" as a distributive


The distributive determiner half is used to talk about a whole group divided in two. Half can be used as
a distributive in several different patterns. Other fractions can be used in the same patterns, although
they are less frequent.
Half can be used with measurements preceded by an indefinite article (a or an). In this usage, it refers
to a measurement.
Examples
I had half a cup of milk left.
I bought half a kilo of flour.
He ran half a mile this morning.
I will be back in half a minute.
Half can be used with nouns preceded by the, a, a demonstrative, or a possessive adjective. In this case,
the meaning refers to a concrete, physical division. The word of can be added just after half with no
change in meaning.
Examples
Half the people have already left.
Half of an apple isn't very much lunch.
Did you use half my sugar?
dr. sumer/determiners/page 16 of 34
I will need half of the flour for my cake.
I earned half of that money last summer.
She found half these frogs in the river.
I spent half that time on my project.
You can take half of those books back.
I've invited half my friends to the party.
I've used up half of our eggs.
You wasted half your money on that!
Half can be used with plural pronouns preceded by of.
Examples
Half of us are going.
He scolded half of you but he let the rest off.
You couldn't find half of them?

Distributives for pairs of objects


The distributive determiners both, either and neither are concerned with distribution between a pair of
objects. Normally, these words cannot be used to refer to a group of three or more individuals. They also
cannot be used to refer to a group of indefinite size. These distributives can only refer to countable nouns.

Using "both"
Both refers to the whole pair and is equivalent to "one and the other". Both can be used with plural
nouns on its own, or it can be followed by "of", with or without an article. When followed by a plural
pronoun, both must be separated from the pronoun by "of". Both cannot be used with singular nouns,
because it refers to two things.
Examples
Both children were born in Italy.
Both the children were born in Italy.
Both of the children were born in Italy.
Both my parents have fair hair.
Both of my parents have fair hair.
Both of us like skiing.
I told both of them to calm down.

Using "either"
Either is positive and when used alone, refers to one of the two members of the pair. It is equivalent to
"one or the other". Because it refers to just one member of a pair, either must be used before a singular
noun. It can also be used with a plural noun or pronoun if followed by "of".
Examples
I can stay at either hotel.
Either day is fine for me.
There are two chairs here. You can take either of them.
Either of you can come.
Either of the hotels will be fine.
I can eat either of the salads.
Either can also be used with or in a construction that talks about each member of the pair in turn. The
meaning remains the same, but in this case either is not functioning as a distributive. It is functioning as
a conjunction.
Examples
You can have either ice cream or chocolate cake.
I will come on either Thursday or Friday.
You can either come inside or put on your raincoat.

dr. sumer/determiners/page 17 of 34
Using "neither"
Neither is negative and when used alone, refers to the whole pair. It is equivalent to "not one or the
other". Because it refers to just one member of a pair, neither must be used before a singular noun. It
can also be used with a plural noun or pronoun if followed by "of".
Examples
Neither chair is any good.
Neither brother came.
Which bag do you want? Neither of them.
Neither of us were on time.
I think neither of these dresses fits me.
Neither of the children wanted to go.
Neither can also be used with nor in a construction that talks about each member of the pair in turn. The
meaning remains the same, but in this case, neither is not functioning as a distributive. It is functioning
as a conjunction.
Examples
You can have neither cookies nor candy.
It is neither raining nor snowing.
She is neither tall nor short.

PRONOUNS and POSSESSIVE DETERMINERS


Possessive pronouns When referring to a noun that belongs to someone or something, you can
use possessive pronouns to show ownership. Possessive pronouns include my, your, his, her, its, our,
and their. For example:
Where is your car?
The dog growled and showed its teeth.
My best friend is a cat.
Which one is his house?
Honesty is her best quality.
The tree shed its leaves.
It's our secret recipe.
As always, the determiner comes before the noun and any modifying adjectives. In English, you can use
the same possessive whether the noun it references is singular or plural.
Pronouns replace nouns. A different pronoun is required depending on two elements: the noun being
replaced and the function that noun has in the sentence. In English, pronouns only take the gender of the
noun they replace in the 3rd person singular form. The 2nd person plural pronouns are identical to the
2nd person singular pronouns except for the reflexive pronoun.

Subject Object Possessive Possessive Reflexive or


pronoun pronoun adjective pronoun intensive
(determiner) pronoun
1st person singular I me my mine myself
2nd person singular you you your yours yourself
3rd person singular, male he him his his himself
3rd person singular, female she her her hers herself
3rd person singular, neutral it it its itself
1st person plural we us our ours ourselves
2nd person plural you you your yours yourselves
they them their theirs themselves
Subject pronouns
Subject pronouns replace nouns that are the subject of their clause. In the 3rd person, subject pronouns
are often used to avoid repetition of the subject's name.
Examples
dr. sumer/determiners/page 18 of 34
I am 16.
You seem lost.
Jim is angry, and he wants Sally to apologize.
This table is old. It needs to be repainted.
We aren't coming.
They don't like pancakes.

Object pronouns
Object pronouns are used to replace nouns that are the direct or indirect object of a clause.
Examples
Give the book to me.
The teacher wants to talk to you.
Jake is hurt because Bill hit him.
Rachid received a letter from her last week.
Mark can't find it.
Don't be angry with us.
Tell them to hurry up!
Possessive adjectives (determiners)
Possessive adjectives are not pronouns, but rather determiners. It is useful to learn them at the same
time as pronouns, however, because they are similar in form to the possessive pronouns. Possessive
adjectives function as adjectives, so they appear before the noun they modify. They do not replace a
noun as pronouns do.
Examples
Did mother find my shoes?
Mrs. Baker wants to see your homework.
Can Jake bring over his baseball cards?
Samantha will fix her bike tomorrow.
The cat broke its leg.
This is our house.
Where is their school?

Possessive pronouns
Possessive pronouns replace possessive nouns as either the subject or the object of a clause. Because
the noun being replaced doesn't appear in the sentence, it must be clear from the context.
Examples
This bag is mine.
Yours is not blue.
That bag looks like his.
These shoes are not hers.
That car is ours.
Theirs is parked in the garage.

Reflexive & intensive pronouns


Reflexive and intensive pronouns are the same set of words but they have different functions in a
sentence.
Reflexive pronouns refer back to the subject of the clause because the subject of the action is also the
direct or indirect object. Only certain types of verbs can be reflexive. You cannot remove a reflexive
pronoun from a sentence because the remaining sentence would be grammatically incorrect.
Examples
I told myself to calm down.
You cut yourself on this nail?
He hurt himself on the stairs.
dr. sumer/determiners/page 19 of 34
She found herself in a dangerous part of town.
The cat threw itself under my car!
We blame ourselves for the fire.
The children can take care of themselves.
Intensive pronouns emphasize the subject of a clause. They are not the object of the action. The
intensive pronoun can always be removed from a sentence without changing the meaning significantly,
although the emphasis on the subject will be removed. Intensive pronouns can be placed immediately
after the subject of the clause, or at the end of the clause.
Examples
I made these cookies myself.
You yourself asked Jake to come.
The Pope himself pardoned Mr. Brown.
My teacher didn't know the answer herself.
The test itself wasn't scary, but my teacher certainly is.
We would like to finish the renovation before Christmas ourselves.
They themselves told me the lost shoe wasn't a problem.

Determiners of difference
The determiners other and another refer to something different, remaining, or additional. They are
placed before a noun. The other is treated separately because its usage is slightly different.
Other Plural countable nouns and all uncountable nouns
Another Singular countable nouns
The other Any noun that can take the definite article "the"
Using "other"
Other can be used alone or after the determiners some, any, and no.
Examples
Do you have other shoes?
There are other jobs you could try.
Is there any other bread?
I have some other sugar we could use.
We have no other ideas.
If used with a plural countable noun and one of these determiners, the noun may be omitted when it is
understood from the context. In that case, other becomes plural. This can also happen with other used
by itself, but it is less common.
Examples
Do you have any others?
I know some others who might like to come.
There are no others in this box.
I know others like vanilla, but I prefer chocolate.
She doesn't have to wear that dress. She has others.

Using "another"
Another is used with singular countable nouns. For uncountable nouns, another is often used with
measure words that are singular.
Examples
Have another cookie.
Would you like another cup of tea?
He has another brother.
I don't have another car.
I'll come by another time.

Using "the other"


dr. sumer/determiners/page 20 of 34
If the other is modifying a plural countable noun, the noun may be omitted when it is understood from
the context. In that case, other will become plural.
Examples
Where is the other box of cereal?
I work on the weekend and go to school on the other days of the week.
May I use the other honey for my recipe?
I enjoyed the first book but I didn't read the other books in the series.
Have you seen the others (people)?
Jim ate two cookies. I ate the others.

Pre-determiners
Pre-determiners are normally placed before an indefinite article (a, an) + adjective + noun to express
an opinion about the noun they modify. Such and what are used to express surprise or other emotions.
Examples
What a lovely day! (what)
She's such a beautiful woman. (such)
You can't imagine what an incredible meal I just ate. (what)
I've had such a good time today! (such)
Rather and quite are commenting words, referring to the degree of a particular quality as expressed by
the adjective that modifies the noun. They can express disappointment, pleasure, or other emotions
depending on the adjective in question. In British English, rather is used as a pre-determiner. In
American English it is only used as an adverb. The examples given below are British English.
Examples
It was quite a nice day. (quite)
He's had quite a bad accident. (quite)
It's rather a small car. (rather)
I've just met rather a nice man. (rather)

Correct Use of Determiners:


How should you choose which determiner to use? For native English speakers, determining which
determiner to use is second nature, since determiners are so often used in front of nouns.
For people learning English as a second language, it's helpful to remember a few rules:
Determiners always come first in the noun phrase.
Determiners are required with singular nouns.
To speak about a singular noun generally, use an indefinite article (a or an).
To speak about a plural noun generally, do not use a determiner.
To speak about a singular noun specifically, use a definite article, demonstrative pronoun, possessive
pronoun or quantifier.
To speak about a plural noun specifically, use a definite article, demonstrative pronoun, possessive
pronoun or quantifier.
Once you learn the dictionary definition of each determiner as you study English vocabulary, it becomes
easy to select the determiner that best expresses your meaning, whether you want to show ownership,
quantity or relative location.

dr. sumer/determiners/page 21 of 34
MCQs on Determiners
Q1. __________ of the two sisters is married.
A. Both C. Each
B. Every D. Any
Q2. _________ of you should attend the conference.
A. Both C. Every
B. Each D. Many
Q3. We should inform __________ of them.
A. many C. few
B. every D. all
Q4. They have spent __________ for their son’s wedding.
A. many C. all
B. enough D the little
Q5. __________ of the candidates pass this exam.
A. Enough C. Either
B. Fewer D. Most
Q6. __________ of the deadlines is met.
A. Neither C. None
B. No D. Much
Q7. Can I borrow __________ sugar?
A. much C. a little
B. some D. a few
Q8. With this, you have lost __________ chance that you had.
A. a little C. the little
B. little D. slight
Q9. __________ participants left the meeting in between.
A. Several C. The few
B. Much D. Little
Q10. It seems that they would need _________ workers for the construction.
A. little C. more
B. either D. some
Q11. _________ man that we saw turned out to be a thief.
A. A C. That
B. The D. This
Q12. Can ___________ help me?
A. many C. everybody
B. nobody D. somebody
Q13. He should work _________ and take a break.
A. less C. a little
B. little D. more
Q14. He told me that __________ blue was her favorite color.
A. a C. this
B. the D. None of the above
Q15. You can pick ___________ of two.
A. many C. either
B. more D. some
Q16. __________ those students were punished.

dr. sumer/determiners/page 22 of 34
A. All C. Enough
B. Much D. Some
Q17. There isn’t ___________ cash left with us.
A. some C. more
B. many D. much
Q18. Despite looking for her ___________, I couldn’t find her.
A. somewhere C. everywhere
B. anywhere D. nowhere
Q19. ____________ one of them has been invited.
A. Each C. Many
B. Every D. Much
Q20. ___________ sun is about to set.
A. A C. The
B. An D. A little
Q21. ___________ of the people who came have left.
A. Most C. Every
B. Many D. Each
Q22. We need to do ___________ of work before the event starts.
A. much C. more
B. a lot D. some
Q23. There are ___________ messages for you.
A. none C. much
B. no D. little
Q24. ___________ people who migrated here died in the floods.
A. A few C. The few
B. Few D. Many
Q25. Not ___________ is known about these legends.
A. little C. many
B. all D. much
Q26. There is not __________ space for others here.
A. some C. many
B. enough D. little
Q27. Is there __________ at the door?
A. nobody C. someone
B. somebody D. everybody
Q28. __________ Shatabdi express will arrive at eight o’clock.
A. A C. Some
B. Any D. The
Q29. It is __________ heirloom of the family.
A. a C. some
B. an D. none
Q30. He will be there in __________ hour.
A. the C. a
B. an D. two
Q31. He teaches us _________ Biology.
A. the C. an
B. a D. None of the above
Q32. ___________ left a letter for you at the gate.

dr. sumer/determiners/page 23 of 34
A. Somebody C. Everybody
B. None D. Anybody
Q33. She is __________ most intelligent in the class.
A. a C. much
B. the D. None of the above
Q34. He does not have ___________ friends.
A. much C. many
B. more D. all
Q35. ___________ of the helpers is available.
A. No C. Some
B. Any D. None
Q36. She has eaten ___________ the chocolates in the box.
A. each C. all
B. every D. none
Q37. ___________ of the teachers are absent today.
A. Every C. Both
B. Some D. Little
Q38. I would like ___________ cup of coffee.
A. a C. some
B. the D. little
Q39. I saw ___________ old woman near the door.
A. a C. an
B. any D. all
Q40. Do you have __________ rice left?
A. little C. a few
B. few D. any
Q41. It seems that ___________ the rooms are occupied.
A. every C. each
B. all D. enough
Q42. ___________ principal is looking for you.
A. The C. An
B. A D. Some
Q43. __________ man is immortal.
A. None C. Some
B. All D. No
Q44. Charles Babbage is known as ___________ father of computers.
A. a C. any
B. the D. some
Q45. I have never read ___________ monthly magazine of TOI.
A. the C. any
B. a D. every
Q46. __________ of the two documents were updated.
A. No C. Neither
B. None D. Some
Q47. I have ____________ relatives.
A. much C. all
B. more D. many
Q48. He has __________ experience than his brother.

dr. sumer/determiners/page 24 of 34
A. many C. much
B. more D. some
Q49. Can I borrow ___________ fruits?
A. many C. much
B. some D. few
Q50. ____________ of us knew about the mishappening.
A. None C. Anybody
B. Somebody D. No
Q51. Who spilled ___________ tea on the floor?
A. much C. few
B. a D. the
Q52. I have bought __________ new books to read.
A. much C. some
B. every D. all
Q53. __________ driver is waiting for us.
A. An C. Some
B. The D. Any
Q54. __________ people were injured that night.
A. Several C. Little
B. Much D. Enough
Q55. He does not know how to use ___________ smartphone.
A. the C. some
B. an D. a
Q56. She is __________ more clever than we know.
A. some C. a lot
B. many D. none
Q57. There is hardly ____________ work left for you.
A. much C. all
B. any D. enough
Q58. __________the eggs are in the basket.
A. Much C. All
B. None D. Many
Q59. He is __________ university student.
A. an C. any
B. the D. a
Q60. That was __________ awful situation to be in.
A. an C. a
B. the D. much
Q61. Mathematics is __________ difficult subject to study.
A. an C. the
B. a D. little
Q62. Is there ___________ that you would like to share?
A. everything C. enough
B. anything D. much
Q63. Though Chinese is a difficult language, __________ students opted for it.
A. much C. many
B. more D. few
Q64. ___________ of them were chosen to be captain.

dr. sumer/determiners/page 25 of 34
A. Some C. Little
B. Much D. None
Q65. ___________ black car is parked in front of your gate.
A. The C. An
B. A D. Any
Q66. ___________ English is widely spoken around the world.
A. The C. A
B. An D. None of the above
Q67. ___________ wealthy should be generous.
A. A C. The
B. An D. Some
Q68. It looks like I have seen you ___________.
A. somewhere C. nowhere
B. anywhere D. everywhere
Q69. Can I have __________ bowl of soup?
A. more C. enough
B. another D. little
Q70. The exam is compulsory for __________ students.
A. several C. much
B. many D. all
Q71. I don’t like __________ of them.
A. neither C. either
B. both D. much
Q72. Is ___________ left?
A. few C. several
B. many D. anyone
Q73. __________ has been looking for you.
A. Everyone C. Several
B. Anyone D. A few
Q74. There are not ____________ students in the class.
A. much C. many
B. some D. most
Q75. ___________ of my colleagues are going on the trip.
A. No C. Neither
B. None D. Either
Q76. ___________ experience of yours is of no use!
A. Some C. The little
B. The few D. A little
Q77. Only __________ toys have been sold since morning.
A. few C. little
B. a few D. the few
Q78. ____________ of their customers complain.
A. Many C. Enough
B. Much D. Most
Q79. I don’t have ___________ to say.
A. much C. some
B. most D. all
Q80. The poor beggar had __________ to go.

dr. sumer/determiners/page 26 of 34
A. anywhere C. nowhere
B. somewhere D. everywhere
Q81. One of ___________ books that I borrowed is missing.
A. a C. several
B. the D. many
Q82. Fortunately, ___________ of the children were hurt.
A. few C. none
B. some D. no
Q83. We can take ____________ of the routes.
A. several C. any
B. no D. either
Q84. Due to his tours, he got to meet __________ of people.
A. a lot C. little
B. much D. several
Q85. ____________ of the money we had, has been used.
A. Many C. Enough
B. All D. Every
Q86. ___________ of the two halves is equal.
A. Every C. Each
B. All D. None of the above
Q87. ____________ is waiting in the lobby.
A. Anyone C. Several
B. All D. Everyone
Q88. ___________ exam copies are still unchecked.
A. A few C. Little
B. Few D. Much
Q89. __________ but one was against the proposal.
A. Everyone C. None
B. All D. No
Q90. She has done ____________ mistake.
A. none C. much
B. any D. no
Q91. He is ___________ early bird.
A. the C. an
B. a D. some
Q92. ____________ Indus has five main tributaries.
A. The C. An
B. A D. All
Q93. ____________ Taj Hotel is famous world-wide.
A. A C. The
B. Many D. All
Q94. ___________ businessmen want to be rich.
A. Many C. Most
B. Many a D. Enough
Q95. ___________ event is scheduled according to the plan.
A. Each C. All
B. Several D. Every
Q96. He has ____________ evidence to prove his innocence.

dr. sumer/determiners/page 27 of 34
A. many C. either
B. all D. enough
Q97. ___________ orchestra band that you called has arrived.
A. An C. The
B. A D. Some
Q98. He is ___________ head of the family.
A. the C. either
B. a D. all
Q99. ___________ is known about her achievements.
A. Few C. A little
B. Little D. None
Q100. They have always helped __________.
A. another C. all
B. several D. each other
Answer Key
1 C 11 B 21 A 31 D 41 B 51 D 61 B 71 C 81 B 91 C
2 A 12 D 22 B 32 A 42 A 52 C 62 B 72 D 82 C 92 A
3 D 13 A 23 B 33 B 43 D 53 B 63 C 73 A 83 D 93 C
4 B 14 D 24 A 34 C 44 B 54 A 64 D 74 C 84 A 94 B
5 D 15 C 25 D 35 D 45 A 55 D 65 B 75 B 85 B 95 D
6 A 16 A 26 B 36 C 46 C 56 C 66 D 76 C 86 C 96 D
7 B 17 D 27 C 37 B 47 D 57 B 67 C 77 B 87 D 97 C
8 C 18 C 28 D 38 A 48 B 58 C 68 A 78 D 88 A 98 A
9 A 19 A 29 B 39 C 49 B 59 D 69 B 79 A 89 B 99 B
10 C 20 C 30 B 40 D 50 A 60 A 70 D 80 C 90 D 100 D

dr. sumer/determiners/page 28 of 34
Ex 1
Fill in the blanks with Numeral Determiners—one, two, some, any, little, few, all, both, much,
many, several, etc.:
1. How ………….. money do you want?
2. Have you read ………….. stories?
3. I have read………….. short stories in Hindi but only ………….. in English.
4. I read the letter again and noticed that there were………….. mistakes in it.
5. How ………….. milk do you take every day?
6. There are………….. countries in the world where the population is not growing fast.
7. Would you lend me your watch for ………….. days?
8. Do you have …………. complaint against the clerk?
9. There are ………….. eggs in the basket, but there isn’t ………….. butter.
10. ………….. care could have prevented the accident.
11. ………….. of the boys has broken this window pane.
12. I have already spent the ………….. rupees you gave me.
13. ………….. the husband and wife are members of this club.
14. ………….. the customers insisted that the shopkeeper must provide them full measure.
15. The story was published in ………….. the local newspapers.
Answers:
1. much 6. a few 11. one
2. many/some 7. some/a few 12. few
3. many/a lot of; few/some 8. any 13. Both
4. many 9. some, any 14. All
5. much 10. A little 15. all

Ex 2
Fill in the blanks with suitable determiners:
1. There was ………….. accident near …………. central market this morning. ………….. car
hit ………….. scooter and ………….. man on ………….. scooter was killed.
2. …………..postman put ………….. letter under ………….. front door just ………….. hour
after you had left.
3. A cup of tea may seem ………….. ordinary thing to ………….. of us in India. But drinking tea
is ………….. ritual which is taken very seriously in ………….. Japanese homes.
4. ………….. king fought bravely but he was defeated by ………….. enemies. …………..
defeated warrior left ………….. battlefield and hid in ………….. is cave.
5. ………….. people came to ………….. site where the revolutionary general was to be hanged.
When asked if he had ………….. desire, ………….. smile ran on ………….. dry Ups and he
nodded his head.
6. It was ………….. grand occasion for ………….. children ………….. of them had won prizes
and ………….. parents felt proud ………….. of them introduced their parents to their teachers.
7. Game hunting was ………….. favourite pastime of ………….. officers of ………….. British
Raj. This resulted in decrease in ………….. number of animals in ………….. wild. Recent
environmental degradation and destruction of natural habitats of wild animals have pushed them
to ………….. brink of extinction.
Answers:
1. an, the, A, a, the, the 4. The, his, The, the, a 6. a, many, some, their,
2. The, a, the, an 5. Many, the, any, a, his Some/A few
3. an, some, a, many 7. a, the, the, the, the, the.

Ex 3
Complete the following dialogues using suitable determiners:
Ruchika: want some sugar
dr. sumer/determiners/page 29 of 34
Shopkeeper: …………………………………………………………..?
Ruchika: I require 10 kg.
Shopkeeper: Sorry, I don’t have ………………………………..
Ruchika: Then, you may give a little less.
Shopkeeper: There …………………………………………………………..
Ruchika: OK, then give me. …………………………….
Shopkeeper: I’ll give you the little quantity I’ve got.
Ruchika: Please give me some vegetable oil.
Shopkeeper: …………………………………………………………..?
Ruchika: I need only 5 kg.
Shopkeeper: You may have ………………………………..
Ruchika: I think 5 kg will be enough for ………………………………..
Shopkeeper: By the way, ……………………………….. are there in your family?
Ruchika: ……………………………….. Only I and my mom.
Shopkeeper: ……………………………….., madam?
Ruchika: I think, I will have potato chips/wafers
Shopkeeper: …………………………….. fresh arrivals over there.
Ruchika: …………………………….. money should I pay?
Shopkeeper: Two hundred rupees only.
Answers:
1. How many kgs do you want? 6. ………….. as much as you like
2. ………….. that much in stock 7. the whole month, how many members
3. (There) is hardly 4 kg left. 8. ………….. Not many, anything else.
4. ………….. as much as you can 9. ………….. a few packs of, There are some
5. How much do you need? 10. How much …………..

Ex 4
1. Fill in the blanks with suitable determiners: (a, an, the, some, yours, much, etc.)
Two friends meet in their school canteen. They are going to have their lunch.
Namit: You can share my lunch and I’ll share (a) ……………………..
Vipul: Oh, that’ll be nice. I’ll have (b) ………………… good things to eat.
Namit: I’m afraid. I don’t have (c) ……………………. . to eat. There are only two sandwiches
and (d) ……………………. . apple. Here’s your sandwich. And you can take
half (e) ……………………. apple.
Vipul: Thanks. They look delicious. I have four puries and some pickles.
We can have two puries each. And we will order for (f) …………………… . drink. What would you
like tea or coffee?
Namit: I’ll have tea.
Vipul: So shall I.

2. Complete the following passage by filling in suitable determiners:


My aunt lived on (a) ………………….. ground floor of (b) ………………….. old house
on (c) ………………….. river Thames. She was afraid of burglars and always locked
up (d) ………………….. house carefully before going to bed. She also took the precaution of looking
under (e) ………………….. bed to see if (f) ………………….. burglar was hiding there.

3. Fill in the blanks with suitable determiners:


(a) …………………. abbreviation is (b)…………………. shortened form
of (c)…………………. word or a group of words. It is used to save time and
space (d)…………………. abbreviations are also used while speaking. Most
of (e)…………………. dictionaries include (f)…………………. list of commonly used
abbreviations.
dr. sumer/determiners/page 30 of 34
4. Complete the passage with suitable determiners:
My friend lived on (a)…………………. first floor of (b) …………………. recently renovated old
house on (c) …………………. river Beas. She was afraid of burglars and always locked
up (d) house carefully before going to bed. She also took the precaution of looking
under (e)…………………. bed to see if (f) …………………. burglar was hiding there.

5. Complete the following passage with suitable determiners:


I have met (a) …………………. people in my life but (b) …………………. man who has
influenced me (c) …………………. most is Mother Teresa. To me she has
been (d) …………………. symbol of true religion (e) …………………. people can do what she has
done. If we adopt (f) …………………. ideology, the world would become a better place to live in.

6. Fill in the blanks with determiners:


(a) …………………. entire polling station seemed to be (b) …………………. huge mass of
humanity. It was (c) …………………. public holiday (d) …………………. old man insisted on
talking to (e)…………………. polling officer. He refused to show (f)…………………. identity slip.

7. Complete the following passage with suitable determiners:


All religions have (a) …………………. common goal. (b) …………………. religion when
followed faithfully, leads to God. (c) …………………. should be free to follow (d) ………………….
faith one believes in. There should not be (e) …………………. compulsion. Tolerance should
be (f) …………………. guiding principle.

8. Complete the following passage with suitable determiners:


Our Principal is (a) …………………. man of honesty and integrity. He does not
accept (b) …………………. gifts from students, teachers or parents.
On (c) …………………. occasion of (d)…………………. Children’s Day, he was
rewarded (e)…………………. students for (f)…………………. honesty.

9. Fill in the blanks with suitable determiners:


In my childhood, the teacher never appeared in public without (a) …………………. cane in hand. I
used to think that one’s guru was born clutching (b) …………………. cane in his right hand
while (c) …………………. left held (d)…………………. pinch of snuff
between (e)…………………. thumb and forefinger. He took (f) …………………. deep inhalation
before proceeding to fluck the cane on my body.

10. Fill in the blanks with suitable determiners:


(a) There are (i) …………………. broken chairs in (ii) …………………. farthest corner
of (iii) …………………. room.
(b) There is (i) …………………. egg on this plate and (ii) …………………. dirty marks
on (iii) …………………. table cloth.

INTEGRATED TASKS
I. ERROR CORRECTION

Each of the following sentences in this exercise has an underlined word and three words are given after
the sentence. If one of the given words makes the sentence grammatically correct, select the word as
your answer. If the sentence is grammatically correct as it is, choose option (d) i.e. No correction.

1. Navin bought the books and put it is those bag.

dr. sumer/determiners/page 31 of 34
(a) them, those (c) them, that
(b) its, that (d) No correction
Answer:
(c) them, that
2. One should be true to his word.
(a) One, one (c) One, one’s
(b) One’s, one (d) No correction

Answer:
(c) One, one’s
3. Book I read last week was a interesting one.
(a) A book, an
(b) The Book, an
(c) These book, an
(d) No correction
Answer:
(b) The Book, an
4. He is the same man who always likes to boast of his bravery.
(a) a, his
(b) a, him
(c) the, one’s
(d) No correction
Answer:
(d) No correction
5. The bus was hired by ladies for its picnic.
(a) a ladies, their
(b) the ladies, there
(c) the ladies, their
(d) No correction
Answer:
(c) the ladies, their
6. It’s very easy. Another child can do it.
(a) Any
(b) Other
(c) Many
(d) No correction
Answer:
(a) Any
7. I spoke to Vikram, Shashi and the few another friends.
(a) a, others
(b) a, other
(c) an, other
(d) No correction
Answer:
(b) a, other
8. Whoever coat is this?
(a) Who, these
(b) Whose, these
(c) Whose, this
(d) No correction
Answer:
(c) Whose, this
dr. sumer/determiners/page 32 of 34
9. Thank you very much for yours letter.
(a) your
(b) your’s
(c) yours’
(d) No correction
Answer:
(a) your
10 We went to see Taj Mahal is ours vacations.
(a) a Taj Mahal, our
(b) the Taj Mahal, our’s
(c) the Taj Mahal, our
(d) No correction
Answer:
(c) the Taj Mahal, our
11. The woman has the right to a career.
(a) The, the
(b) A, the
(c) A, a
(d) No correction
Answer:
(c) A, a
12. Would you like an glass of wine?
(a) other
(b) the
(c) another
(d) No correction
Answer:
(c) another
13. I did’t go with neither Savita or Kavita.
(a) or
(b) either
(c) a
(d) No correction
Answer:
(b) either
14. The second’s book in the row is my.
(a) second, the, mine
(b) second, a, mine
(c) seconds, the, mine
(d) No correction
Answer:
(a) second, the, mine
15. I think a rich should pay much taxes.
(a) the, much
(b) the, more
(c) a, more
(d) No correction
Answer:
(b) the, more
16. I do fewer work at weekends than I used to.
(a) few
(b) less
dr. sumer/determiners/page 33 of 34
(c) least
(d) No correction
Answer:
(b) less
17. Nupur was wearing a blue shoes at the party.
(a) an blue shoes, the
(b) blue shoes, an
(c) blue shoes, the
(d) No correction
Answer:
(c) blue shoes, the
18. Pandas eat only one specific type of bamboo.
(a) one’s
(b) an
(c) the
(d) No correction
Answer:
(d) No correction
19. She worked as an waitress to help pay for these course.
(a) a, this
(b) the, this
(c) a, these
(d) No correction
Answer:
(a) a. this
20. Rohan has been the KKR fan for much years now.
(a) a, many
(b) an, many
(c) a, most
(d) No correction
Answer:
(a) a, many

1 6 11 16
2 7 12 17
3 8 13 18
4 9 14 19
5 10 15 20

dr. sumer/determiners/page 34 of 34

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