Chapter 7
Determiners
Theory
What is a Determiner?
A determiner is a word placed before a noun (or a noun phrase) to clarify what the noun refers to — its definiteness, quantity, possession or specificity. Unlike adjectives, determiners do not describe qualities; they "determine" or limit the reference of the noun. They always come before any adjectives that modify the same noun.
Structure: Determiner + (Adjective) + Noun → the tall boy, my old car, three red apples.
Exam Tip: A noun phrase normally takes only one central determiner. We cannot say the my book or a this pen; we say my book or this pen. To combine possession with a definite sense, use the "double genitive": a book of mine.
Type 1 — Articles (a / an / the)
Articles are the most frequent determiners. A and an are indefinite (a non-specific singular countable noun); the is definite (a specific noun known to both speaker and listener). The choice between a and an depends on the sound that follows, not the spelling: an hour, a university.
- She bought a pen and an eraser.
- I waited for an hour outside the gate.
- He is a European scholar of repute.
- The sun rises in the east.
- Please return the book I lent you.
Cross-reference: Articles are treated only briefly here. The full set of rules — sound-based a/an, definite/zero article usage, geographical and idiomatic exceptions — is covered in detail in Chapter 8 — Articles.
Type 2 — Demonstratives (this / that / these / those)
Demonstratives point to nouns in terms of number (singular/plural) and distance (near/far). This/these indicate nearness; that/those indicate distance. They must agree in number with the noun.
| Near | Far | |
|---|---|---|
| Singular | this | that |
| Plural | these | those |
- This book on my desk is mine.
- That building across the road is the library.
- These mangoes are sweeter than those.
- Those students at the back must move forward.
- This kind of mistake is common. (singular noun "kind" → "this", not "these")
Warning: Say this kind / these kinds — the determiner must match the head noun "kind(s)", not the noun after "of". Avoid the non-standard these kind of books.
Type 3 — Possessives (my / your / his / her / its / our / their)
Possessive determiners show ownership and stand before the noun. They must not be confused with possessive pronouns (mine, yours, his, hers, ours, theirs), which replace the noun entirely. Note especially its (possessive, no apostrophe) versus it's (= it is).
- My father is a teacher.
- The dog wagged its tail. (possessive — no apostrophe)
- They have completed their assignment.
- Is this your umbrella?
- She lent me her notes before the test.
Memory Trick: It's always expands to "it is" or "it has". If the expansion fails, you need the determiner its.
Type 4 — Quantifiers (some / any / much / many / little / few / a lot of / plenty of / enough)
Quantifiers express amount or quantity without giving an exact number. The crucial test is whether the following noun is countable (book, boy, idea) or uncountable (water, advice, information).
| With countable nouns | With uncountable nouns | With both |
|---|---|---|
| many, (a) few, several, a number of | much, (a) little, a great deal of, a bit of | some, any, a lot of, plenty of, enough, no |
- There are many reasons for his success. (countable)
- We do not have much time left. (uncountable)
- She gave me some good advice. (affirmative)
- Is there any milk in the jug? (question)
- He has plenty of friends in the city.
Some vs Any
Use some in affirmative statements and in offers/requests where a "yes" is expected. Use any in negatives and in ordinary (open) questions.
| Context | Determiner | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Affirmative | some | I have some money. |
| Negative | any | I do not have any money. |
| Open question | any | Do you have any money? |
| Offer / request (expecting yes) | some | Would you like some tea? |
- I bought some apples from the market.
- There isn't any sugar left in the bowl.
- Have you read any good novels lately?
- Could I have some water, please? (polite request)
- You may take any book you like. ("any" = it doesn't matter which, in affirmative)
Exam Tip: In affirmative sentences any can mean "it does not matter which" (Any student can apply). This is a favourite distractor.
Much / Many and Little / Few / A little / A few
Much goes with uncountables; many with countables. The pair little/few carries a negative sense (almost none), while a little/a few carries a positive sense (some, though not much).
| Word | Used with | Sense | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| much | uncountable | quantity | a large amount |
| many | countable | quantity | a large number |
| little | uncountable | negative | hardly any |
| a little | uncountable | positive | a small but sufficient amount |
| few | countable | negative | hardly any |
| a few | countable | positive | a small but sufficient number |
- He has little interest in studies. (almost none — negative)
- He has a little interest in studies. (some interest — positive)
- Few people understood the lecture. (hardly any)
- A few people stayed back to help. (some did)
- How many books did you borrow, and how much time will you keep them?
Memory Trick: Add the article "a" and the meaning turns positive: few = sad, a few = glad.
Type 5 — Distributives (each / every / either / neither / all / both / half)
Distributives refer to members of a group either individually or collectively. Each and every take a singular noun and a singular verb; either/neither select between two; both/all are collective.
- Each student was given a separate desk.
- Every window in the hall was open.
- Either answer is acceptable. (one of two)
- Neither of the two roads leads to the station.
- Both brothers play cricket, and all the players wore white.
Each vs Every
| Each | Every |
|---|---|
| Considers members one by one (separately) | Considers the whole group collectively, but still singular in form |
| Used for two or more | Used for three or more |
| Can be a pronoun: Each of them | Cannot stand alone: not every of them |
| Not used with "almost / nearly" | Used with "almost / nearly": almost every |
- Each of the two candidates was interviewed. (two — "each", not "every")
- Every child needs love and care.
- Almost every seat was taken. (use "every" with almost)
- Each boy carried his own bag. (emphasis on individuals)
- Every one of the answers was correct. (singular verb "was")
Either / Neither
Either = one or the other of two; neither = not one and not the other of two. Both take a singular verb when used as determiners or as subjects. Either ... or and neither ... nor are correlative conjunctions.
- Either road will take you there.
- Neither statement is true.
- Neither of the boys has finished. (singular verb "has")
- You may sit on either side of the aisle.
- Neither Ram nor Shyam was present. (verb agrees with nearer subject)
Warning: Either/neither refer strictly to two. For more than two, use any/none: None of the five was selected.
Both / All / Half
Both refers to two; all to three or more (or to an uncountable whole); half to one of two equal parts. These are predeterminers and stand before central determiners (the, my, these).
- Both the sisters are doctors.
- All the students passed the test.
- Half the cake was eaten.
- Both of us agreed. ("both of" + plural pronoun)
- All his money was spent. (predeterminer before possessive "his")
Type 6 — Numbers (Cardinals / Ordinals)
Cardinal numbers state quantity (one, two, three); ordinal numbers state position or order (first, second, third). When both appear, the ordinal precedes the cardinal: the first three chapters.
- She has three brothers. (cardinal)
- He came first in the race. (ordinal)
- Read the first two pages. (ordinal before cardinal)
- Twenty candidates appeared for the test.
- This is the twenty-first century.
Type 7 — Interrogative Determiners (which / what / whose)
These introduce questions about a noun. Which selects from a limited, known set; what asks more openly; whose asks about possession.
- Which book do you want — the red or the blue? (limited choice)
- What subject are you studying? (open)
- Whose umbrella is this?
- Which way did they go?
- What kind of music do you enjoy?
Order of Determiners
When several determiners modify one noun, English follows a fixed order: predeterminers → central determiners → postdeterminers.
| Predeterminers | Central determiners | Postdeterminers |
|---|---|---|
| all, both, half, double, twice, such, what | a/an, the, this/that/these/those, my/your/his…, some, any, no | cardinal & ordinal numbers, many, few, several, little |
Thus the famous example: all the three boys = predeterminer (all) + central (the) + postdeterminer (three) + noun (boys).
- All the students attended.
- Both my hands were full.
- Half the class was absent.
- All the three boys were rewarded. (pre + central + post)
- Such a beautiful morning! (predeterminer "such" before "a")
Exam Tip: Predeterminers go before the article/possessive. Therefore the all boys and a such book are wrong; the correct forms are all the boys and such a book.
"The" vs Zero Determiner
Use the for specific, previously mentioned or unique nouns. Use no determiner (zero) for plural and uncountable nouns spoken of in a general sense, and with most proper nouns, meals, languages, and abstract nouns.
- Honesty is the best policy. (abstract, general — zero)
- Dogs are loyal animals. (plural, general — zero)
- The dog you bought is lovely. (specific — "the")
- We have lunch at one o'clock. (meal — zero)
- She speaks French fluently. (language — zero)
Common Exam Errors
| # | Wrong | Correct | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | He has much books. | He has many books. | "Books" is countable; use "many". |
| 2 | I don't have some money. | I don't have any money. | Use "any" in negative sentences. |
| 3 | Every of the boys was present. | Each of the boys was present. | "Every" cannot be followed by "of"; use "each of". |
| 4 | The all students passed. | All the students passed. | Predeterminer "all" precedes the article "the". |
| 5 | She gave me a such advice. | She gave me such advice. | "Such" cannot follow "a"; and "advice" is uncountable. |
| 6 | Neither of the three is fit. | None of the three is fit. | "Neither" is only for two; use "none" for more. |
| 7 | Each students has a desk. | Each student has a desk. | "Each" takes a singular noun and verb. |
| 8 | The dog wagged it's tail. | The dog wagged its tail. | "Its" (possessive) has no apostrophe. |
| 9 | I have few interest in it. | I have little interest in it. | "Interest" is uncountable; use "little". |
| 10 | There are less people today. | There are fewer people today. | Countable noun "people" needs "fewer", not "less". |
| 11 | This kind of mistakes are common. | This kind of mistake is common. | "This kind" agrees with singular "mistake/is". |
| 12 | Both of the boy came. | Both of the boys came. | "Both" requires a plural noun. |
| 13 | Every students were happy. | Every student was happy. | "Every" demands singular noun and verb. |
| 14 | He earns much money than I. | He earns more money than I. | For comparison use "more", not "much". |
| 15 | I want a my pen back. | I want my pen back. | Only one central determiner; drop "a". |
| 16 | Almost each child was tired. | Almost every child was tired. | Use "every" (not "each") after "almost/nearly". |
| 17 | Which of these two is the best? | Which of these two is the better? | Comparative for two; "better", not superlative. |
| 18 | She bought an university book. | She bought a university book. | "University" begins with a /j/ consonant sound. |
| 19 | I have many informations. | I have much information. | "Information" is uncountable; use "much" and no plural. |
| 20 | All boys of the class he praised. | He praised all the boys of the class. | "All the" + plural noun is the natural order. |
| 21 | Either of the five may come. | Any of the five may come. | "Either" is for two; "any" for more than two. |
| 22 | Each of the answer is right. | Each of the answers is right. | "Each of" takes a plural noun, singular verb. |
| 23 | He gave me a little books. | He gave me a few books. | "Books" is countable; use "a few". |
| 24 | Whose are those pen? | Whose pens are those? | Plural "those" needs plural noun "pens". |
| 25 | I read first the three chapters. | I read the first three chapters. | Order: the + ordinal + cardinal + noun. |
Exam Tricks
- Countable vs uncountable test: If you can put a number before the noun, it is countable → use many/few; if not, it is uncountable → use much/little.
- "a" flips the sign: few/little = almost none (negative); a few/a little = some (positive). Distractors swap the two.
- Negative + question = any: Spot the auxiliary "not" or a question mark; if present, the blank usually wants any, not some.
- "every/each" → singular verb: Any plural verb after these is a planted error in error-detection items.
- Predeterminer order: Reject options that place "the/a/my" before "all/both/half/such". Correct order is all the, both my, such a.
- Two vs more than two: either/neither/both/the latter = two; any/none/all = more than two. Count the items in the sentence.
- "almost/nearly" magnet: These words attract every/all, never each.
- Apostrophe trap: its (determiner) vs it's (it is); whose vs who's.
- fewer vs less: fewer for countable plurals, less for uncountables — a recurring distractor pair.
Frequently Confused Pairs
| Pair | Distinction | Example |
|---|---|---|
| much / many | much = uncountable; many = countable | much water; many bottles |
| little / a little | little = hardly any (negative); a little = some (positive) | little hope; a little hope |
| few / a few | few = hardly any (negative); a few = some (positive) | few friends; a few friends |
| each / every | each = individually (2+); every = collectively (3+), takes "almost" | each hand; almost every house |
| some / any | some = affirmative/offers; any = negatives/questions | some milk; not any milk |
| either / neither | either = one of two; neither = none of two | either side; neither side |
| its / it's | its = possessive determiner; it's = it is/has | its colour; it's raining |
| fewer / less | fewer = countable; less = uncountable | fewer cars; less traffic |
Exceptions — Important, Rare & Advanced
- "Many a" + singular: Despite the plural sense, many a takes a singular noun and verb — Many a student has failed.
- "A great many" + plural: Conversely, a great many takes a plural noun — A great many books were sold.
- "The few / the little": When defined by a following clause, these lose their negative sense — The little money I had was enough.
- "Any" in affirmatives: Means "it doesn't matter which" — Any child can learn this.
- "Some" in questions: Used when a positive answer is expected or in offers — Will you have some coffee?
- "Every" with intervals: Used with plural numbers to show frequency — The bus comes every ten minutes.
- "Either" meaning "each of two": There are trees on either side of the road. (= both sides)
- "Half" without "of": Before a determiner, "of" is optional — half (of) the cake; but obligatory before a pronoun — half of them.
- Double genitive: Possession plus indefiniteness needs "of + possessive pronoun" — a friend of mine, not a my friend.
- "No" as a determiner: No negates without an auxiliary — There is no milk (= isn't any milk).
50 Multiple Choice Questions
Easy (1–15)
1. He has ______ books in his collection.
(a) much (b) many (c) little (d) a great deal of
Answer: (b) many
Explanation: "Books" is countable, so "many" is correct.
2. There isn't ______ sugar in the bowl.
(a) some (b) many (c) any (d) few
Answer: (c) any
Explanation: "Any" is used in negative sentences.
3. ______ student was given a separate seat.
(a) Every (b) All (c) Both (d) Many
Answer: (a) Every
Explanation: "Every" takes a singular noun "student".
4. The dog wagged ______ tail.
(a) it's (b) its (c) their (d) his
Answer: (b) its
Explanation: "Its" is the possessive determiner without an apostrophe.
5. We do not have ______ time left.
(a) many (b) few (c) much (d) a few
Answer: (c) much
Explanation: "Time" here is uncountable, requiring "much".
6. ______ the students passed the examination.
(a) The all (b) All the (c) All of the all (d) Every the
Answer: (b) All the
Explanation: Predeterminer "all" precedes the article "the".
7. Would you like ______ tea?
(a) any (b) some (c) much (d) few
Answer: (b) some
Explanation: "Some" is used in polite offers expecting "yes".
8. ______ book on the table is mine.
(a) These (b) Those (c) This (d) Them
Answer: (c) This
Explanation: Singular noun "book" needs singular "this".
9. She has ______ brothers and one sister.
(a) much (b) three (c) little (d) any
Answer: (b) three
Explanation: A cardinal number directly quantifies the countable noun.
10. ______ of the two answers is correct.
(a) Any (b) None (c) Either (d) All
Answer: (c) Either
Explanation: "Either" refers to one of two.
11. ______ umbrella is this?
(a) Which (b) What (c) Whose (d) Who
Answer: (c) Whose
Explanation: "Whose" asks about possession.
12. I waited for ______ hour outside.
(a) a (b) an (c) the (d) some
Answer: (b) an
Explanation: "Hour" begins with a silent "h", a vowel sound.
13. ______ of us agreed to the plan.
(a) Both (b) Either (c) Each one (d) Every
Answer: (a) Both
Explanation: "Both of" + plural pronoun "us" is correct for two people.
14. There are ______ people in the hall today.
(a) less (b) much (c) fewer (d) little
Answer: (c) fewer
Explanation: Countable "people" takes "fewer", not "less".
15. ______ child needs love and care.
(a) Every (b) All (c) Many (d) Both
Answer: (a) Every
Explanation: "Every" with singular "child" expresses a general truth.
Moderate (16–35)
16. He has ______ interest in his studies; he hardly opens a book.
(a) a little (b) little (c) few (d) a few
Answer: (b) little
Explanation: Negative sense "hardly any" requires "little" with uncountable "interest".
17. ______ people came to help, so the work was done.
(a) Few (b) A few (c) Little (d) A little
Answer: (b) A few
Explanation: Positive sense "some did" needs "a few" with countable "people".
18. Almost ______ seat in the theatre was occupied.
(a) each (b) every (c) all (d) both
Answer: (b) every
Explanation: "Almost" combines with "every", not "each".
19. ______ of the five candidates was selected.
(a) Either (b) Neither (c) None (d) Both
Answer: (c) None
Explanation: For more than two, "none" is used, not "neither".
20. I have read the ______ chapters of the book.
(a) first three (b) three first (c) third three (d) three third
Answer: (a) first three
Explanation: The ordinal precedes the cardinal: "the first three".
21. ______ a student has failed for want of effort.
(a) Many (b) Much (c) Many a (d) A many
Answer: (c) Many a
Explanation: "Many a" + singular noun/verb is the idiomatic form.
22. She gave me ______ advice before the interview.
(a) many (b) a few (c) some good (d) several
Answer: (c) some good
Explanation: "Advice" is uncountable; "some" suits it, while "many/a few/several" do not.
23. ______ of the boys has finished the test.
(a) Neither (b) Both (c) Few (d) Several
Answer: (a) Neither
Explanation: "Neither ... has" gives the required singular verb for two boys.
24. ______ my hands were full of luggage.
(a) The both (b) Both (c) All both (d) Either
Answer: (b) Both
Explanation: Predeterminer "both" stands before the possessive "my".
25. This ______ of question often appears in exams.
(a) kinds (b) kind (c) kinds of (d) type of these
Answer: (b) kind
Explanation: "This" agrees with singular "kind".
26. You may borrow ______ book you like from the shelf.
(a) some (b) any (c) much (d) few
Answer: (b) any
Explanation: In affirmatives "any" means "it does not matter which".
27. ______ the cake was eaten before noon.
(a) Half (b) The half (c) A half of (d) Half of the the
Answer: (a) Half
Explanation: Predeterminer "half" precedes "the" (of is optional).
28. There were ______ informations to verify.
(a) many (b) a few (c) several (d) much
Answer: (d) much
Explanation: "Information" is uncountable and has no plural; use "much".
29. ______ of the two roads leads to the temple.
(a) Any (b) None (c) Neither (d) All
Answer: (c) Neither
Explanation: "Neither" (for two) with singular "leads".
30. ______ student carried his own bag separately.
(a) Every (b) Each (c) All (d) Both
Answer: (b) Each
Explanation: "Each" stresses individuals considered one by one.
31. ______ a beautiful morning it is!
(a) So (b) Such (c) Such an (d) A such
Answer: (b) Such
Explanation: "Such a" is the order; "a" already follows, so "Such" completes it.
32. We need ______ chairs for the extra guests.
(a) much more (b) a little (c) a few more (d) less
Answer: (c) a few more
Explanation: Countable "chairs" takes "a few more".
33. ______ of them knew the correct route.
(a) Neither (b) None (c) Either (d) Both was
Answer: (b) None
Explanation: "Them" implies more than two, so "none" fits.
34. The bus arrives ______ ten minutes.
(a) each (b) every (c) all (d) any
Answer: (b) every
Explanation: "Every" + plural number expresses frequency.
35. He earns ______ money than his brother.
(a) much (b) many (c) more (d) most
Answer: (c) more
Explanation: Comparison with "than" needs the comparative "more".
Difficult (36–50)
36. ______ the three boys were rewarded for their bravery.
(a) All the (b) The all (c) All of the all (d) Every the
Answer: (a) All the
Explanation: Order: predeterminer "all" + central "the" + postdeterminer "three".
37. The ______ money I had was just enough for the fare.
(a) few (b) a little (c) little (d) some
Answer: (c) little
Explanation: "The little" defined by the clause loses the negative sense yet keeps "little".
38. There are tall trees on ______ side of the avenue.
(a) neither (b) either (c) both (d) all
Answer: (b) either
Explanation: "Either side" here means "each of the two sides".
39. A great ______ visitors attended the exhibition.
(a) many (b) much (c) deal of (d) many a
Answer: (a) many
Explanation: "A great many" + plural noun is the correct idiom.
40. I am looking for a friend ______ to share the room.
(a) of me (b) of mine (c) my (d) of my
Answer: (b) of mine
Explanation: The double genitive "a friend of mine" is required.
41. ______ of the answers was marked correct by the examiner.
(a) Every (b) Each (c) All (d) Both were
Answer: (b) Each
Explanation: "Each of the answers" + singular "was" is grammatical; "every" cannot take "of".
42. Hardly ______ candidate could solve the last problem.
(a) any (b) some (c) every (d) all
Answer: (a) any
Explanation: "Hardly" is negative in sense, so it pairs with "any".
43. Which of the two designs is the ______?
(a) best (b) better (c) most good (d) good
Answer: (b) better
Explanation: Comparison between two takes the comparative "better".
44. ______ his wealth could not buy him happiness.
(a) All the (b) The all (c) All (d) Every
Answer: (c) All
Explanation: Predeterminer "all" stands before possessive "his" with no article.
45. Neither the teacher nor the students ______ aware of the change.
(a) was (b) were (c) is (d) has been
Answer: (b) were
Explanation: With "neither ... nor", the verb agrees with the nearer subject "students".
46. ______ one of the windows was left open during the storm.
(a) Every (b) All (c) Many (d) Few
Answer: (a) Every
Explanation: "Every one" takes a singular verb "was".
47. We sold ______ copies than we had expected.
(a) less (b) lesser (c) fewer (d) little
Answer: (c) fewer
Explanation: Countable "copies" with comparison requires "fewer".
48. He showed ______ enthusiasm that everyone was impressed.
(a) so much (b) such much (c) so many (d) such many
Answer: (a) so much
Explanation: Before an uncountable noun with an adjective sense, "so much" is correct.
49. ______ student in the class has submitted the project on time.
(a) Every (b) All (c) Both (d) Few
Answer: (a) Every
Explanation: Singular "student ... has" demands "every".
50. There is ______ milk in the fridge; we must buy more.
(a) a little (b) little (c) few (d) a few
Answer: (b) little
Explanation: "Little" gives the negative sense "hardly any" with uncountable "milk", justifying buying more.