What are Determiners?
- A determiner is a word which is used to modify a noun or a noun phrase.
- It is a word which provides context or reference to a noun.
- It can also show the quantity, quality, position or specificity of the noun.
- Various parts of speech can function as determiners to the noun.
- Articles
- Demonstrative adjectives
- Numeral adjectives
- Adjectives of quantity
- Possessive adjectives
Articles:
Definite Articles
- Definite articles are used as determiners to express the specificity of the noun.
- They can be used to refer to singular or plural nouns.
- They can be used to refer to countable and uncountable nouns.
Examples:
- The man in the car wants to know where Hotel Piccadilly is.
- There is a slight change in the temperature.
- Mr Sreekumar knows where the files are.
- Sharad is the captain of the team.
- The ship sets sail from the harbour.
Indefinite Articles:
- Indefinite articles are used to refer to the noun in the general sense.
- They are used to refer to the noun for the first time.
Example: There is a lady on the phone. (The noun phrase 'a lady' is mentioned for the first time.)
- They are used to refer to a particular group or class of nouns.
- They are used with singular nouns.
- They are used to refer to countable nouns only.
Examples:
- Mr Manekchand hired a clerk.
- She is a woman of great strength.
- There is a difference in the way she conducts herself.
- Try an egg sandwich.
- I want to buy a cupboard.
Demonstrative Adjectives:
- Demonstrative adjectives are used are words to point out a specific noun or noun phrase.
- That and This are used with singular nouns. Those and These are used with plural nouns.
- This and These are used to point towards nouns which are nearby.
- That and Those are used to point towards nouns which are far away.
Examples:
- Grace lives in this house.
- Can you please clear these plates?
- Those bonbons sure look tempting.
- Manisha was talking to that girl.
- This book is mine.
Numeral Adjectives:
- Numeral adjectives are words which specify the number of the noun.
- Cardinal numeral adjectives are numbers. (one, two, three)
- Ordinal numeral adjectives are numerical rankings. (first, second, third)
Examples:
- There were five people in the room.
- Every second building here is painted blue.
- Christopher is three steps behind you.
- Complete these two assignments tomorrow.
- The tenth house from the left is Mr Mahmood’s house.
Adjective of Quantity:
Adjectives of quantity are words which suggest the quantity of the noun.
examples:
- Little knowledge is a bad thing.
- Most workers are paid less.
- Several residents came forward to protest.
- I have read every novel by Stephen King.
- He had fewer friends by the end of his career.
Possessive Adjectives:
- Possessive adjectives are used to indicate the possession or ownership of a noun to another.
- They can be confused with pronouns, but they are actually adjectives.
examples:
- My house is near the railway station.
- The dog has injured its snout.
- Kiran forgot her watch at home.
- Swami was consulted for his wise counsel.
- May I use your phone?
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