Determiners
What are determiners?
Determiners
are used to identify things in further detail. To take the dictionary
definition, they are modifying words that determine the kind of reference a
noun or noun group has.
Determiners
are different to pronouns
in that a determiner is always followed by a noun. Personal
pronouns ( I , you , he , etc.) and possessive
pronouns (mine, yours, his, etc.) don't act as determiners.
They are
used in front of nouns to indicate whether you are referring to something
specific or something of a particular type.
The definite
and indefinite articles a/an/the are all determiners.
You use a
specific determiner when people know exactly which thing(s) or person/people
you are talking about.
Determiners
include:
|
For example:-
"The
dog barked at the boy."
"These apples are rotten."
"Their bus was late."
"Have you seen my keys?"
"These apples are rotten."
"Their bus was late."
"Have you seen my keys?"
You use
general determiners to talk about how much stuff or how many people or things
you are talking about.
More general
determiners are quantifiers:
|
For
example:-
"Have
you got any English books I could borrow?"
"There is enough food to feed everyone."
"I don't teach online every day."
"There is enough food to feed everyone."
"I don't teach online every day."
Numbers act
as determiners too, they show how many things or people there are: 1, 2, 3...
For
example:-
"I
teach online for 3 days a week."
Either and
neither are used in sentences concerning a possible choice between two items.
Either can
mean one or the other (of two) or each of two.
For
example:-
I've got tea
and coffee, so you can have either. (One or the other)
The room has a door at either end. (Both)
The room has a door at either end. (Both)
Neither
means not the first one and not the second one.
For
example:-
Neither of the students were listening.
- See more
at: http://www.learnenglish.de/grammar/determinertext.html#sthash.XoN8XwWs.dpuf
Determiners
What are determiners?
Determiners are used to identify things in further detail. To take the dictionary definition, they are modifying words that determine the kind of reference a noun or noun group has.Determiners are different to pronouns in that a determiner is always followed by a noun. Personal pronouns ( I , you , he , etc.) and possessive pronouns (mine, yours, his, etc.) don't act as determiners.
They are used in front of nouns to indicate whether you are referring to something specific or something of a particular type.
The definite and indefinite articles a/an/the are all determiners.
You use a specific determiner when people know exactly which thing(s) or person/people you are talking about.
Determiners include:
|
For example:-
"The dog barked at the boy."
"These apples are rotten."
"Their bus was late."
"Have you seen my keys?"
You use general determiners to talk about how much stuff or how many people or things you are talking about.
More general determiners are quantifiers:
|
"Have you got any English books I could borrow?"
"There is enough food to feed everyone."
"I don't teach online every day."
Numbers act as determiners too, they show how many things or people there are: 1, 2, 3...
For example:-
"I teach online for 3 days a week."
Either and Neither
Either and neither are used in sentences concerning a possible choice between two items.Either can mean one or the other (of two) or each of two.
For example:-
I've got tea and coffee, so you can have either. (One or the other)
The room has a door at either end. (Both)
Neither means not the first one and not the second one.
For example:-
Neither of the students were listening.
- See more at: http://www.learnenglish.de/grammar/determinertext.html#sthash.XoN8XwWs.dpufKHKJKJ
Determiners
What are determiners?
Determiners are used to identify things in further detail. To take the dictionary definition, they are modifying words that determine the kind of reference a noun or noun group has.Determiners are different to pronouns in that a determiner is always followed by a noun. Personal pronouns ( I , you , he , etc.) and possessive pronouns (mine, yours, his, etc.) don't act as determiners.
They are used in front of nouns to indicate whether you are referring to something specific or something of a particular type.
The definite and indefinite articles a/an/the are all determiners.
You use a specific determiner when people know exactly which thing(s) or person/people you are talking about.
Determiners include:
|
For example:-
"The dog barked at the boy."
"These apples are rotten."
"Their bus was late."
"Have you seen my keys?"
You use general determiners to talk about how much stuff or how many people or things you are talking about.
More general determiners are quantifiers:
|
"Have you got any English books I could borrow?"
"There is enough food to feed everyone."
"I don't teach online every day."
Numbers act as determiners too, they show how many things or people there are: 1, 2, 3...
For example:-
"I teach online for 3 days a week."
Either and Neither
Either and neither are used in sentences concerning a possible choice between two items.Either can mean one or the other (of two) or each of two.
For example:-
I've got tea and coffee, so you can have either. (One or the other)
The room has a door at either end. (Both)
Neither means not the first one and not the second one.
For example:-
Neither of the students were listening.
- See more at: http://www.learnenglish.de/grammar/determinertext.html#sthash.XoN8XwWs.dpuf
indefinite article: a and an
1. We use the indefinite article, a/an, with count nouns when the hearer/reader does not know exactly which one we are referring to:
3. We do not use an indefinite article with plural nouns and uncount nouns:
4. We use a/an to say what someone is or what job they do:
Police are searching for a 14 year-old girl.
2. We also use it to show the person or thing is one of a group:
She is a pupil at London Road School.
| Police have been searching for a 14 year-old girl who has been missing since Friday. Jenny Brown, a pupil at London Road School, is described as 1.6 metres tall with short blonde hair. She was last seen wearing a blue jacket, a blue and white blouse and dark blue jeans and blue shoes. Anyone who has information should contact the local police on 0800349781. |
3. We do not use an indefinite article with plural nouns and uncount nouns:
She was wearing blue shoes. (= plural noun)
She has short blonde hair. (= uncount noun)
She has short blonde hair. (= uncount noun)
|
Police have been searching for a 14 year-old girl who has been missing since Friday. Jenny Brown, a pupil at London Road School, is described as 1.6 metres tall with short blonde hair. She was last seen wearing a blue jacket, a blue and white blouse and dark blue jeans and blue shoes. Anyone who has information should contact the local police on 0800349781. |
4. We use a/an to say what someone is or what job they do:
My brother is a doctor.
George is a student.
5. We use a/an with a singular noun to say something about all things of that kind:George is a student.
A man needs friends. (= All men need friends)
A dog likes to eat meat. (= All dogs like to eat meat)
A dog likes to eat meat. (= All dogs like to eat meat)
General and specific determiners
Determiners are words which come at the beginning of the noun phrase.They tell us whether the noun phrase is specific or general.
Determiners are either specific or general
Specific determiners:
The specific determiners are:- the definite article: the
- possessives: my, your, his, her, its; our, their, whose
- demonstratives: this, that, these, those
- interrogatives: which
Can you pass me the salt please?
Look at those lovely flowers.
Thank you very much for your letter.
Whose coat is this?
Look at those lovely flowers.
Thank you very much for your letter.
Whose coat is this?
General determiners:
The general determiners are:- a; an; any; another; other; what
Milk is very good for you. (= uncount noun)
Health and education are very important. (= 2 uncount nouns)
Girls normally do better in school than boys. (= plural nouns with no determiner)
… or you can use a singular noun with the indefinite article a or an:Health and education are very important. (= 2 uncount nouns)
Girls normally do better in school than boys. (= plural nouns with no determiner)
A woman was lifted to safety by a helicopter.
A man climbing nearby saw the accident.
We use the general determiner any with a singular noun or an uncount noun when we are talking about all of those people or things:A man climbing nearby saw the accident.
It’s very easy. Any child can do it. (= All children can do it)
With a full licence you are allowed to drive any car.
I like beef, lamb, pork - any meat.
We use the general determiner another to talk about an additional person or thing:With a full licence you are allowed to drive any car.
I like beef, lamb, pork - any meat.
Would you like another glass of wine?
The plural form of another is other:
I spoke to John, Helen and a few other friends.
- See more at: http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/english-grammar/determiners-and-quantifiers#sthash.ep2Yrtol.dpuf
Determiners are words which come at the beginning of the noun phrase.
They tell us whether the noun phrase is specific or general.
Determiners are either specific or general
They tell us whether the noun phrase is specific or general.
Determiners are either specific or general
Specific determiners:
The specific determiners are:- the definite article: the
- possessives: my, your, his, her, its; our, their, whose
- demonstratives: this, that, these, those
- interrogatives: which
Can you pass me the salt please?
Look at those lovely flowers.
Thank you very much for your letter.
Whose coat is this?
Look at those lovely flowers.
Thank you very much for your letter.
Whose coat is this?
General determiners:
The general determiners are:- a; an; any; another; other; what
Milk is very good for you. (= uncount noun)
Health and education are very important. (= 2 uncount nouns)
Girls normally do better in school than boys. (= plural nouns with no determiner)
… or you can use a singular noun with the indefinite article a or an:Health and education are very important. (= 2 uncount nouns)
Girls normally do better in school than boys. (= plural nouns with no determiner)
A woman was lifted to safety by a helicopter.
A man climbing nearby saw the accident.
We use the general determiner any with a singular noun or an uncount noun when we are talking about all of those people or things:A man climbing nearby saw the accident.
It’s very easy. Any child can do it. (= All children can do it)
With a full licence you are allowed to drive any car.
I like beef, lamb, pork - any meat.
We use the general determiner another to talk about an additional person or thing:With a full licence you are allowed to drive any car.
I like beef, lamb, pork - any meat.
Would you like another glass of wine?
The plural form of another is other:
I spoke to John, Helen and a few other friends.
- See more at: http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/english-grammar/determiners-and-quantifiers#sthash.ep2Yrtol.dpuf
Determiners are words which come at the beginning of the noun phrase.
They tell us whether the noun phrase is specific or general.
Determiners are either specific or general
They tell us whether the noun phrase is specific or general.
Determiners are either specific or general
Specific determiners:
The specific determiners are:- the definite article: the
- possessives: my, your, his, her, its; our, their, whose
- demonstratives: this, that, these, those
- interrogatives: which
Can you pass me the salt please?
Look at those lovely flowers.
Thank you very much for your letter.
Whose coat is this?
Look at those lovely flowers.
Thank you very much for your letter.
Whose coat is this?
General determiners:
The general determiners are:- a; an; any; another; other; what
Milk is very good for you. (= uncount noun)
Health and education are very important. (= 2 uncount nouns)
Girls normally do better in school than boys. (= plural nouns with no determiner)
… or you can use a singular noun with the indefinite article a or an:Health and education are very important. (= 2 uncount nouns)
Girls normally do better in school than boys. (= plural nouns with no determiner)
A woman was lifted to safety by a helicopter.
A man climbing nearby saw the accident.
We use the general determiner any with a singular noun or an uncount noun when we are talking about all of those people or things:A man climbing nearby saw the accident.
It’s very easy. Any child can do it. (= All children can do it)
With a full licence you are allowed to drive any car.
I like beef, lamb, pork - any meat.
We use the general determiner another to talk about an additional person or thing:With a full licence you are allowed to drive any car.
I like beef, lamb, pork - any meat.
Would you like another glass of wine?
The plural form of another is other:
I spoke to John, Helen and a few other friends.
- See more at: http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/english-grammar/determiners-and-quantifiers#sthash.ep2Yrtol.dpuf
Determiners are words which come at the beginning of the noun phrase.
They tell us whether the noun phrase is specific or general.
Determiners are either specific or general
They tell us whether the noun phrase is specific or general.
Determiners are either specific or general
Specific determiners:
The specific determiners are:- the definite article: the
- possessives: my, your, his, her, its; our, their, whose
- demonstratives: this, that, these, those
- interrogatives: which
Can you pass me the salt please?
Look at those lovely flowers.
Thank you very much for your letter.
Whose coat is this?
Look at those lovely flowers.
Thank you very much for your letter.
Whose coat is this?
General determiners:
The general determiners are:- a; an; any; another; other; what
Milk is very good for you. (= uncount noun)
Health and education are very important. (= 2 uncount nouns)
Girls normally do better in school than boys. (= plural nouns with no determiner)
… or you can use a singular noun with the indefinite article a or an:Health and education are very important. (= 2 uncount nouns)
Girls normally do better in school than boys. (= plural nouns with no determiner)
A woman was lifted to safety by a helicopter.
A man climbing nearby saw the accident.
We use the general determiner any with a singular noun or an uncount noun when we are talking about all of those people or things:A man climbing nearby saw the accident.
It’s very easy. Any child can do it. (= All children can do it)
With a full licence you are allowed to drive any car.
I like beef, lamb, pork - any meat.
We use the general determiner another to talk about an additional person or thing:With a full licence you are allowed to drive any car.
I like beef, lamb, pork - any meat.
Would you like another glass of wine?
The plural form of another is other:
I spoke to John, Helen and a few other friends.
- See more at: http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/english-grammar/determiners-and-quantifiers#sthash.ep2Yrtol.dpuf
Determiners are words which come at the beginning of the noun phrase.
They tell us whether the noun phrase is specific or general.
Determiners are either specific or general
They tell us whether the noun phrase is specific or general.
Determiners are either specific or general
Specific determiners:
The specific determiners are:- the definite article: the
- possessives: my, your, his, her, its; our, their, whose
- demonstratives: this, that, these, those
- interrogatives: which
Can you pass me the salt please?
Look at those lovely flowers.
Thank you very much for your letter.
Whose coat is this?
Look at those lovely flowers.
Thank you very much for your letter.
Whose coat is this?
General determiners:
The general determiners are:- a; an; any; another; other; what
Milk is very good for you. (= uncount noun)
Health and education are very important. (= 2 uncount nouns)
Girls normally do better in school than boys. (= plural nouns with no determiner)
… or you can use a singular noun with the indefinite article a or an:Health and education are very important. (= 2 uncount nouns)
Girls normally do better in school than boys. (= plural nouns with no determiner)
A woman was lifted to safety by a helicopter.
A man climbing nearby saw the accident.
We use the general determiner any with a singular noun or an uncount noun when we are talking about all of those people or things:A man climbing nearby saw the accident.
It’s very easy. Any child can do it. (= All children can do it)
With a full licence you are allowed to drive any car.
I like beef, lamb, pork - any meat.
We use the general determiner another to talk about an additional person or thing:With a full licence you are allowed to drive any car.
I like beef, lamb, pork - any meat.
Would you like another glass of wine?
The plural form of another is other:
I spoke to John, Helen and a few other friends.
- See more at: http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/english-grammar/determiners-and-quantifiers#sthash.ep2Yrtol.dpuf
