Determiners The words which modify nouns are called determiners. These words are used before a noun to determine its meaning. They can also be used before a noun phrase to identify whether it is specific or general in meaning. We can actually see determiners to work like adjectives. They can be classified into following types: 1. Articles - "A, ‘An’, ‘The’ 2. Numerals: (i) Definite - first, second, both, one, two... hundred etc. (i) Indefinite - some, few, many, all etc. (ii) Distributive - every, each, either, neither etc Quantitatives - little, much, more, any etc. Demonstrative adjectives - this, that, these, those, such sae Possessives - my, your, his, her, its, ours, their 6. Interrogatives - where, what, which, whose A determiner can perform two functions - (i) identify a singular or plural noun in number and (ii) determine the nature of nouns - definite or indefinite. Determiners also precede numbers or objects and indicate a quantity or amount. ARTICLES Articles can be divided into two categories - definite and indefinite. Use of Indefinite articles: A or An These two articles are used before a singular countable noun only. If a noun/noun phrase is to be identified as singular, then we can choose between article ‘A’ or ‘An’. The basic difference between them is based on the sound of anoun. () ‘A’is used before a noun that begins with a consonant sound - a child, a book, a college (i) ‘An’ is used before a noun that begins with a vowel sound - an officer, an apple, an intelligent person Note : The spelling of a noun does not decide the article usage but the way that word is pronounced makes| all the difference. The following words begin with a vowel alphabet but not a vowel sound. For example| - A uniform, a unique object, a university, a utopia Similarly, there are words that begin with a consonant alphabet but carry a vowel sound. These will carry article ‘an’. For example - An MBA course, an heir, an honourable person Article ‘A’ and ‘An’ are also used before proper nouns that suggest a common meaning. For example - An Arti, A Punit, etc. E.g. India needs a Gandhi again to leam the importance of non-violence. Scanned with CamScannerUse of Definite article: The Article ‘The’ can be used before countable nouns as well as before uncountable nouns. The following are the usages of article ‘The’: 1. 10. 1. Before names of physical features like that of rivers (the Ganga, the Yamuna), deserts (the Thar, the Sahara), canals (the Suez Canal), oceans (the Indian Ocean) and seas (the Arabian Sea), mountain ranges (the Himalayas) and group of islands (the Lakshadweep Islands). Before celestial objects like the Sun, the Moon, which are one of a kind. Before names of countries that include united, republic or kingdom like the USSR, the People's Republic of China, the United States of America, the United Kingdom. Before names of certain books like the Bhagavad Gita, the Ramayana, the Upanishads etc. Before a noun that represents an entire class of people, plants or animals. For example: The cats are known to be lazy. The Americans are celebrated for their creativity. The rich are always preferred. Before a proper noun that is defined by an adjective or adjective clause. For example: The Queen of London, the Great Shakespeare, the Mr Shyam | told you about, etc. Before ordinals - words which list the number - like the first, the second, etc. Before superlative degrees of adjectives like the best, the least, the worst, etc. Before a common noun that depicts a particular person or thing or something that is already referred to in the sentence. For example: The chair that is kept next to the wall The book written by Ghosh is a must read. The chapter our teacher began today will be completed by tomorrow. Before musical instruments like the guitar, the flute etc. Before adverbs as comparatives like the more the merrier. USING DIFFERENT KINDS OF DETERMINERS cH BOTH : It is used to mention two persons or things of same kind. It presents the importance of both at the same time. For example: () Both of these are well written texts. (b) He had kept both files in the drawer last night. ALL : It is used in two forms. When it comes before an uncountable noun, the sentence carries a singular verb. For example - All that shines is not gold. When it comes before a countable plural noun, the sentence carries a plural verb. For example - All the kids were well read, ‘SOME : It is used before both countable and uncountable nouns in affirmative sentences. For example - some books, some food. In case of interrogative sentences, it is used to express a request, an offer or order. For example - Can | get you some coffee? ANY : It is used before both countable and uncountable nouns in negative and interrogative sentences. It is used to refer to a quantity of something that may or may not exist. For example - He doesn't own any car or bungalow. Do you know any person by that name? Scanned with CamScanner10. OTHER, ANOTHER : ‘Other’ can be used with singular/plural countable nouns or uncountable nouns, Foy example: We must consult other members. The other cabinet is open. ‘Another’ is used to add an additional person or thing of the same type. When it is used as an adjective, i is always placed before a singular noun. For example: He has to write another report on the same chapter. Another article was published by the same pseudonym. FEW, MANY : When ‘few’ is used to determine countable nouns, it means ‘hardly any’. It always denotes a negative meaning. ‘A few’ is used in the positive sense to denote the meaning of ‘not many’. For example: Few students came for doubts. They asked a few doubts. ‘Many’ is used as a determiner for both singular and plural nouns. It depicts both singular and plural meanings For example: ‘Many students came for the seminar. Many a student is worried about his/her future in India. MUCH, LITTLE, A LITTLE : ‘Much’ is used to determine uncountable nouns and emphasizes upon a large amount. For example - Much importance was given to the idea of democracy. ‘Little’ is used to determine uncountable nouns where it carries the meaning of ‘hardly any’ and denotes a negative meaning. For example: He went to the party with little interest. There was litle room for me to sit However, ‘A litte’ carries the meaning ‘some, though not much’. It is aways used to denote a positive meaning, For example - With a little creativity he could become a better writer. EITHER, NEITHER : ‘Either’ is used to determine one of the two things, people or situation. It may either ‘emphasize on both subjects as possibilities or one of them. For example: Either candidate can be selected. Here the sentence carries two possibilities. Either each of the two can be selected or one or the other will be chosen. ‘Neither’ is actually the negative depiction of ‘either’. It always acts singular when used with singular countable nouns. For example - Neither plan was successful. MOST, SEVERAL : ‘Most’ is used as a determiner with plural countable nouns. It denotes the meaning of ‘neary all of a group or amount’. For example - Most plants, Most MPs ‘Several’ depicts the meaning of ‘more than two but not a very large number’. Most often it is used with plural nouns. For example - Several students questioned his thesis. MORE, LESS, FEWER : When ‘Moro! is used with both uncountable nouns and plural nouns, it refers to comparison. It is also used to denote additional quantity of something in a sentence, Thus, it basically acts like an uncountable number expression. For example: Ido more work than her. He requires more help. ‘Less’ is generally used in front of uncountable nouns to determine an amount of something which is smaller than another. For example - He has less time to complete this task. ‘Fewer’ is only used before plural nouns to refer to a group of things smaller than another group. For example - Fewer teams have qualified this year for the international toumaments, Scanned with CamScanner11. EACH, EVERY : These two determiners are similar in meaning, ‘Each’ is used to depict the meaning of ‘two ‘and more than two’ and ‘Every’ is used for ‘more than two’. Both are used before singular countable nouns, Additionally, ‘Each’ is used when the number in the group is limited or dofinite, ‘Every, on the other hand, is used when the number is indefinite, For example: Each of the two committees gets a vote. Every parent was available for PTA meeting. DEMONSTRATIVE ADJECTIVES This, That, These and Those are four demonstrative adjectives that are used in different ways to determine different kinds of nouns. 1, THAT / THOSE : In case of singular noun usage, ‘that’ Is used to avoid repetition of the preceding noun in a sentence. For example - My new car is much better than that of my father. ‘Those’ is used in case of plural noun usage. For example - The sweets at this shop are much better than those of the shop in the town. 2, THIS | THESE : In case of singular noun usage, ‘This’ refers to thing(s) or person(s) close to the speaker. For example - This chapter is very interesting. ‘These’ is used in case of plural noun usage. For example - These designs are very beautiful 3. THAT / THOSE : In case of singular noun usage, ‘That’ refers to thing(s) or person(s) away from the speaker. For example - Make sure that chair is kept in the store. ‘Those’ is used in case of plural noun usage. For example - Those blocks are quite far. POSSESSIVES ‘my, ‘your’, ‘his’, ‘her’, ‘ts’, ‘our’, ‘their’, ‘mine’, ‘yours’, ‘ours’, ‘hers’, ‘theirs’, ‘one’s’ are possessives. These words are used to define ownership or possession in a sentence. They always refer to the possessor in the sentence, For example: | wil finish my work on time. She will donate her old clothes. _) The determiners act as possessive adjectives. They will support their teammates. In all these sentences, the possessives are acting like adjectives. They qualify the noun to denote possession. Words like ‘mine’, ‘yours’, ‘ours’, ‘hers’, ‘his' and ‘theirs’ act like possessive pronouns. The sentence construction differs in the following way: Possessive Adjectives Possessive Pronouns This is my car. This car is mine, These are our bags. These bags are ours. This is his key. This key is his. This is your house. This house Is yours. These are their rooms. These rooms are theirs. Remember, only the sentence construction differs, not the meaning. Both possessive adjectives and possessive pronouns convey the same meaning. Note: Possessive adjectives come before the noun and possessive pronouns are placed after a noun, Exception: + ‘Its’ is only used as a possessive adjective. + Possessive determiners do not carry apostrophe, Only pronoun ‘one’ takes apostrophe ('s) to become possessive adjective. Scanned with CamScannerEXERCISE Type-| : Subjective (School Exam Based) Directions : Fill in the blanks with the most appropriate determiner to complete the passages. A We've —1_ (many/all) seen bicyclists who wander from left side to right, who go from the sidewalk to 2 (the/a) street and who weave in and out between parked cars. From moment to moment, nobody can tell what 3 (these/those) bicyclists are about to do. Pedestrians jump back and car brakes squeal as such bicyclists approach. On 4 (the/its) other hand, we've seen bicyclists who seem to blend into 5 _ (the/some) traffic flow smoothly and effortlessly. You always know where they are headed and what to do around them, whether you're on __6_ (a/any) bicycle, in _7_ (althe) car or on foot. They make bicycling look easy-but aren't they taking _8 _ (althe) huge risk with __9_ (their/one’s) lives? Isn't it safer to avoid _10_ (thefany) traffic as much as possible? India is getting ready to open up commercial coal mining to private companies for —1_ (the/this) first time in four decades, with __2_ (an/the) aim of shifting the world’s third-biggest coal importer towards energy self-sufficiency. The government has identified mines it plans to auction, and is now finalizing __3__ (other/ another) terms such as eligibility criteria for companies to take part and whether and how to set up revenue sharing. 4 (A/That) plan should be ready in the 2-3 months, setting a clear timeline on the plan _§: (thatit) has previously only been vaguely marked out. India has __6__ (an/the) ambitious plan to double __7 _ (thisfts) coal production to 1.5 billion tones a year by 2020, as part of Prime Minister’s push to bring power to 300 million people who live without electricity, and give __8 _ (allittle) boost to manufacturing. It would also support the government's efforts to develop eastern parts of the country, which are resource-rich and hold __9_ (many/most) of India’s coal reserves but have lagged the westem states in development. It's imperative that India opens up __10_ (its/few) coal sector so that private companies can bring in new technologies and the efficiencies that we keep talking about. It seems that there is never enough time in 1 (althe) day. But, since we all get the same 24 hours, why is it that _2__ (few/some) people achieve so much more with their time than others? The answer lies in good time management. The highest achievers manage __3__ (his/their) time exceptionally well. By using —4_ (any/some) time-management techniques, you can improve __5 _ (theirlyour) ability to function more effectively - even when time is tight and pressures are high. Good time management requires 6 __ (its/an) important shift in focus from activities to results: being busy isn’t __7__ (little/the) same as being effective. (Ironically, the opposite is often closer to the truth.) Spending your day in _8 _ (a/some) frenzy of activity often achieves _9__ (fewerlless), because you're dividing your attention between so _10_ (much/many) different tasks. Good time management lets you work smarter — not harder — so you get more done in less time. The lovely bakery down (a/the) street from my house tums out far _2_ (much/more) luxurious and professional pastries, muffins and sandwich loaves than | ever will, yet | still enjoy making __3__ (an/the) effort to bake at home from time to time. If you give baking a chance, you will ikely find 4 (its/your) own reasons to love it — for me, i's all about _5 _ (the/some) process: putting 6 _ (our/the) kitchen to good use, getting _7 _ (my/our) hands coated in flour, measuring, stirring, kneading and (best of all) sitting back while __8 _ (an/the) intoxicating scent of baking bread fills __9 _ (an/the) entire house. I's _10_ (much/a) deeply satisfying, all-is-well-in-the-world sort of feeling that screen-based entertainment simply cannot match. Scanned with CamScannerE. Padhe Bharat Badhe Bharat is (thefa) nationwide sub-programme of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA). Children who fail to read in early education lag behind in (few/other) subjects, (That/The) programme is designed to improve comprehensive early reading, writing and early mathematics programme for children in Classes | and Il Under {itsithis) programma, 762 crore (US$110 million) was approved to States. The programme will not only provide print rich environment, timely distribution of books but will also include new teacher mentoring and appraisal system. SSA has been operational since 2000-2001 to provide for 5 _ (a lttle/a) variety of interventions for universal access and retention, bridging of gender and social category gaps in elementary education and improving __6__ (its/the) quality of learning. F. We can say sports refers to forms of competitive physical activity played by the people through casual or organized participation. It helps everyone to improve and maintain physical ability and skills. It is —1 (some/a) way of entertainment for (most/the) participants. Sports are generally played as _3 (another/a) contest between two competitive sides with attempt to exceed other. There are various types of sports and games, both outdoor and indoor games. One of the two contestants becomes winner whereas (the other/others) becomes loser. Seas are really __5 _ (an/most) important activity for everyone especially for kids and youths as it keeps (the/a) body healthy and fit. Directions : Fill in the blanks with the most appropriate determiner. G1. Yogesh is a language enthusiast, but he only knows about mathematics. (itlea little) 2. Despite spending long hours in her study, she has not solved word problems. (many, any) 3. Iwaited for minutes before calling her again. (few/a few) 4, | don't think there will be a severe shortage of drinkable water because there has been (litter a lot of) rain fall since previous month. 5. The Chief Minister visited drought hit area. (every, either) We have very chance of reaching office on time as it's still another 2 kms away. (lessifew) 7. There were people at the meeting earlier but most of them left early so there aren't many left now. (most/several) 8. Ramesh bought ice-cream for_ member of the family. (each/every) 9. There would be accidents on the roads if people start obeying all trafic rules. (less/fewer) 40. Although she thought she knew most of the subject, the teacher asked _ details she hardly remembered, (severala few) Directions : The following paragraph has not been edited. Each line carries an error in relation to the usage of a determiner. Identify the incorrect determiner and write its correction in the blank given next to each line, H. Incorrect Correct In the past 50 years many of the rainforest in Africa (@) and Asia has been destroyed. Large areas of rainforest are being cut down, often in order to remove just few logs, (b) and rainforest is being destroyed at double a rate of © any previous estimates. Unfortunately @) these means that there is a very high rate of extinction, e) ‘as some wildlife depending on the forest dies with it. © Scanned with CamScannerDirections : The following sentences have been divided into parts and each part is labelled as (1), (2) and (3), respectively. Identify which part carries an error of determiner. If the sentence has no mistake, then choose option (4). A B. (1) (2) (3) (4) . The World Bank and large companies invest / money in developing countries to / (1) @) build dams for its generation of electricity. / No error (3) (@) All faiths usually have common goal / of restoring peace and / harmony in the society. / No error (1) 2) 8) (4) Unfortunately she got a few / minutes to consider / the boss's offer. / No error (1) 2 @) (4) Directions : Fill in the blanks with the most suitable determiner from the given options. In my country, universities offer a wide range of courses. That's why they are preferred by foreign students as well. (1) a great deal of (2) some (3) afew (4) the Being a huge fan of late Raj Kapoor, he has no doubt watched movie of his. (1) every (@) each 3) most (4) much Last month was a good month for the organisation. We found new clients and also increased our net profit. (1) few Q) afew @) little (4) alittle It will take me time, but I'm sure everyone will lear how to use the new software eventually. (1) little Q) alittle (3) fewer (4) lesser engineering aspirant is anxious these days regarding the job opportunities available outside India. (1) Many 2) Many a (3) Several (4) Most a dt Every child has a right to / pursue an education for free / for at least 14 years. / No error Scanned with CamScanner