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?