Determiners and articles rules

Chapter 7: Determiners and Articles

Determiner

A determiner is a word that introduces a noun and provides information about it, such as its quantity, possession, or specificity. 

A determiner is a word that introduces a noun, specifying it in terms of definiteness, quantity, possession, or other attributes.

Types of Determiners

   (1) Demonstrative Determiners

   (2) Possessive Determiners

   (3) Quantitative Determiners

   (4) Interrogative Determiners

   (5) Distributive Determiners

   (6) Articles as Determiners

Demonstrative Determiners

Definition: Demonstrative determiners specify which noun is being referred to.

Demonstrative Determiners are Words that point to specific items or people.

Examples: this, that, these, those

*Demonstrative determiners are used independently of a noun.

*Demonstrative determiners stand alone and reference the noun directly.

*Demonstrative determiners are used to refer directly to a noun without needing to describe it.

*This and these are used to indicate something close to the speaker in time or space.

Examples:

This (singular, near): This is my pen.

These (plural, near): These are my friends.

*That and those are used to indicate something farther from the speaker in time or space.

Examples:

That (singular, far): That is my car.

Those (plural, far): Those are my shoes.

Position:

*Demonstrative determiners stand alone as they directly reference the noun without needing to modify it.

Example: This is delicious, Those were fantastic.

Possessive Determiners

 Possessive determiners indicate ownership or possession.

Possessive Determiners are Words that show ownership or possession.

*Possessive determiners are the same of possessive adjectives.

Examples: my, your, his, her, its, our, their

*Possessive determiners are always followed by a noun.

Examples:

My book is on the table.

Her car is parked outside.

Their house is very beautiful.

His dog is very friendly.

Our school is organizing a trip.

*They indicate ownership directly in front of the noun they modify.

Examples: 

This is my pen.

That is her idea.

These are their friends.

It is his responsibility.

Our team won the match.

Quantitative Determiners

Definition: Quantitative determiners indicate quantity.

Quantitative Determiners are Words that express quantity or amount.

Examples: some, any, many, few, several, each, every

*Countable vs. Uncountable: Like quantitative adjectives, the choice of quantitative determiners depends on whether the noun is countable or uncountable.

* Position: They are placed before the noun they modify.

* Questions and Negatives: Any is commonly used in questions and negative sentences.

Example: All: Indicates the whole quantity.

All the books are on the table.

Some: Refers to an unspecified quantity, generally positive.

I have some friends in the city.

Any: Used in negative sentences and questions.

Do you have any questions?

No: Indicates zero quantity.

No time was wasted.

Interrogative Determiners

Definition: Interrogative determiners are used in questions to specify which noun is being referred to.

Interrogative Determiners are Words used to ask questions about nouns.

Examples: which, what, whose

*Interrogative determiners are always followed by a noun and are used to form direct questions.

Structure: Interrogative determiner + noun + verb + (rest of the sentence)?

Example:Which car is yours?

What subject do you teach?

Whose jacket is lying on the chair?

Distributive Determiners

Definition: Distributive determiners refer to individual members of a group.

Distributive Determiners are Words that refer to individual members of a group.

Examples: each, every, either, neither

*Distributive determiners are followed by a singular noun.

"Distributive determiners are used to highlight the individual nature of the noun they determine.

*In sentences, Distributive determiners often pair with singular verbs to maintain subject-verb agreement.

Example:

 Each of the students has a textbook.

Every one of the participants received a medal.

Either of the roads leads to the village.

Neither of the answers is correct.

*Formulas for Determiners

Note: Formulas help in understanding which determiners to use with specific types of nouns.

(i) a, an, one, this, that, each, every + Countable noun (singular)

Examples:

A car

This book

Every student

(ii) two, three, four, ... , these, those, many, few, a few + Countable noun (plural)

Examples:

Two cats

These apples

Many ideas

(iii) all, a lot of + Countable noun (plural) / Uncountable noun

Examples:

All students

A lot of water

(iv) much, little, a little, this, that + Uncountable noun

Examples:

Much information

Little time

This advice

(v) some, any, no, the + All nouns

Examples:

Some milk

Any books

No money

The cat

(vi) Fewer... than + Countable noun

Examples:

Fewer apples than oranges.

(vi) Less... than + Uncountable noun

Examples:

Less water than juice.

(vi) More... than + All nouns

Examples:

More cars than bikes.

More sugar than flour.

Article 

Articles are words that define a noun as specific or unspecific.

* Article is a type of determiner.

There are two types of articles in English:

(1) definite and (2) indefinite

The Definite Article 

"The"Definition: The definite article "the" is used to refer to a specific noun that is known to the reader or listener.

Usages of the definite article "the":

1. Specific Reference

To refer to something already mentioned or known:

"I saw a dog. The dog was barking."

2. Unique Entities

With unique objects or one-of-a-kind things:

"The sun is shining."

"She visited the Eiffel Tower."

3. Superlatives and Ordinals

With superlative adjectives and ordinal numbers:

"She is the best student in the class."

"This is the first time I’ve been here."

4. Specific Places and Institutions

With names of certain places and institutions:

"The United States"

"The University of Oxford"

5. Plural and General Terms

When referring to a whole group or species:

"The rich should help the poor."

"The tiger is an endangered species."

6. Adjectives as Nouns

With adjectives functioning as nouns to represent a group:

"The old need care and attention."

"The brave are respected."

7. Proper Nouns

With proper nouns such as names of rivers, seas, oceans, deserts, mountain ranges, and certain geographical regions:

"The Nile"

"The Pacific Ocean"

"The Sahara"

"The Rockies"

"The Midwest"

8. Certain Titles and Names

With some titles, names of families, and certain organizations:

"The President"

"The Queen"

"The Simpsons"

"The United Nations"

9. Unique Events and Documents

With names of specific events, documents, and specific musical instruments:

"The Industrial Revolution"

"The Declaration of Independence"

"She plays the piano."

10. Specific Directions and Locations

When referring to specific points of the compass or specific locations:

"The North"

"The West"

"He lives on the outskirts of the city."

11. Generic Nouns

When referring to a type of noun in a general sense:

"The telephone has changed the world."

"The internet is a great resource."

The Indefinite Articles "A" and "An"

Definition: The indefinite articles "a" and "an" are used to refer to a non-specific noun.

 

Usages of the definite article "a":

Singular and Countable Nouns:

Use "a" before singular, countable nouns that are not specific or are being mentioned for the first time.

Example: "I need a pen."

Consonant Sound:

Use "a" before words that start with a consonant sound, not necessarily a consonant letter.

Example: "a cat" (consonant sound /k/), "a university" (vowel letter but consonant sound /juː/).

Non-specific Reference:

Use "a" when referring to any one member of a group or category, rather than a specific item.

Example: "She wants to buy a house."

Before Adjectives:

Use "a" before adjectives that modify the noun.

Example: "a large book."

Introducing New Information:

Use "a" when introducing something new in conversation or writing.

Example: "I met a friend at the market."

With Professions and Roles:

Use "a" before professions or roles when they are not referring to a specific individual.

Example: "He is a teacher."

Exclamatory Expressions:

Use "a" in expressions of surprise or emphasis.

Example: "What a wonderful surprise!"

With Nouns Expressing Frequency:

Use "a" before nouns that denote frequency or duration.

Example: "He visits the gym three times a week."

When Talking About One of a Group:

Use "a" to specify one item or person from a larger group.

Example: "She wants to adopt a dog from the shelter."

With Measurements and Prices:

Use "a" before measurements, prices, or rates.

Example: "The car costs a thousand dollars."

In Descriptive Phrases:

Use "a" before nouns in descriptive phrases where the noun is described by a preceding adjective or phrase.

Example: "a man with a blue hat."

In Indicating Approximate Quantities:

Use "a" to express an approximate quantity or degree.

Example: "It's going to take a long time."

With Expressions of Quantity:

Use "a" with expressions like "a lot of," "a few," and "a number of."

Example: "She has a lot of books."

When Referring to a Type or Example:

Use "a" to refer to a type or example of something.

Example: "He is looking for a place to stay."

In Comparisons and Patterns:

Use "a" in patterns or comparisons, often with adjectives.

Example: "She is as brave as a lion."

Usages of the definite article "an":

Before Words with a Vowel Sound:

Use "an" before words that begin with a vowel sound, not just a vowel letter.

Example: "an apple," "an honest mistake."

Before Words Starting with a Silent 'H':

Use "an" before words where the initial 'h' is silent and the first sound is a vowel.

Example: "an hour," "an honor."

Before Acronyms or Initialisms Starting with a Vowel Sound:

Use "an" if the acronym or initialism begins with a vowel sound.

Example: "an MRI," "an FBI agent."

Before Words Starting with 'u' Pronounced as /juː/:

Use "a" instead of "an" if the 'u' is pronounced /juː/ (you).

Example: "a university," "a unit."

However, use "an" if the 'u' is pronounced with a vowel sound.

Example: "an umbrella."

Before Words with Initial Consonant Sound That Is Pronounced as a Vowel:

Use "an" before words starting with a consonant letter but having a vowel sound at the beginning.

Example: "an unusual situation."

These rules help ensure proper grammar and clarity in communication.