Determiners are essential elements of the English language. These short yet effective words serve as noun specifiers, which give details about the possession, quantity, demonstration, and other specifications of the nouns they come before. This article offers a clear understanding of determiners, including its types and examples, which will enhance your knowledge about the English language. So, let’s dive deep into the details of determiners and its kinds.
What are Determiners?
Determiners are words which are used to specify nouns in a sentence. These words appear before nouns, providing additional information about it.
Examples- Several students attended the lecture.
Each student received a certificate.
The cat sat on a mat.
That movie was really exciting.
Many birds migrate south for the winter.
We have two cars in the garage.
Whose bag is this?
Types of Determiners
There are basically seven types of determiners. Each of them serve a specific function:
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Articles
Articles are used to indicate a noun. There are two types: definite and indefinite.
Definite article -“The”: It refers to a specific noun that is known to both the speaker and listener.
Ex: The sun rises in the east.
Did you see the movie last night?
I visited the museum yesterday.
Indefinite article– These are articles ‘A’ and ‘An’. They refer to non-specific nouns in the sentence.
Ex: She ate an apple for breakfast.
He saw an elephant at the zoo.
She has an interesting story to tell.
He bought a new car yesterday.
There is a book on the table.2. Demonstrative Determiners
These are the words which indicate a specific nouns. These are the words: This, That, These, Those.
Examples- This book is interesting.
Those cars are expensive.
Please bring me that chair.
These questions are difficult.
Can you see those birds?
I can’t believe that story.
These apples are very fresh.
3. Possessive Determiners
Possessive determiners show ownership or possession of something or someone in a sentence. These are the words like my, you, their, his, her, its, our.
Examples- I lost my keys.
His house is very big.
The tree lost its leaves in the fall.
We need to clean our room.
They brought their children to the park.
Is this your book?
4. Quantifier Determiners
Quantifier determiners indicate the quantity of countable and uncountable things. These words do not tell exact numbers. Quantifiers are the words like: many, some, a lot of, much, little, few, etc.
Examples:-She bought some apples.
Do you have any questions?
Few students understood the lesson.
Several cars were parked outside.
There are some cookies left.
5. Numeric Determiners
Such kind of determiners denote the exact number of objects or persons. It also tells the order of something.
Examples: I have two dogs.
There are three books on the shelf.
She received four invitations to the party.
He bought five tickets to the concert.
There are six chairs around the table.
6. Distributives Determiners
Distributive determiners refer to members of a group individually, such as: either, every, neither, each.
Examples: Either candidate could win the election.
Each student received a textbook.
All employees must attend the meeting.
Neither option is suitable.
Each student has a locker.
7. Interrogative Determiners
These are used to ask questions about nouns.
Examples- Which book do you prefer?
Whose bag is this?
What time is the meeting?
Which car is yours?
Whose idea was it?
Determiners vs Adjectives
Learners might get confused between determiners and adjectives, as both are having similar types and usage. However, studying them in detail enables you to figure out the basic difference between determiners and adjectives. The key difference is that determiners are used to specify a particular noun while adjectives are used to modify the noun. Another difference is that determiners do not have comparative forms like adjectives (big-bigger-biggest).
