Determiners

 

 There are eight or nine (or more) parts of speech, depending on what you read.

Some authorities list nine parts of speech. Those authorities which list eight consider
determiners (articles, quantifiers, etc) as adjectives. This site lists nine parts of speech.  

To determine what part of speech a particular word is it must be looked at in the context
of the sentence. Many words may be a different part of speech in different sentences. 

Look at these examples.

Mr. Elliot feels well. (Adverb).

She is not a well woman. (Adjective)

Well! What happened. (Interjection)

He dropped his hat into a well. (Noun)

 

Determiners

 Determiners are those little words that precede and modify nouns. They are used in front of
nouns to indicate whether you are referring to something specific or something of a particular
type. Determiners are said to ‘mark’ nouns. 

There are six classifications of determines. These are: Four of these are specific- where it is
known exactly which thing(s) or person/people is being talking about. The other two are
general- where it is not known exactly which thing(s) or person/people is being talking about.

Articles- Definite article- specific

Indefinite articles- general

Quantifiers- general

Numbers- specific

Demonstrative adjectives- specific

Possessive adjectives- specific 

Possessive nouns- specific

 

Articles 

There are three articles- a and an (indefinite articles) and the (definite article). 

The indefinite articles are used when referring to something or someone not specific or
not known. 

Note that when ‘a’ is used, it is used before nouns that begin with a consonant sound.

‘An’ is used before nouns that begin with a vowel sound. Many students incorrectly
say an university a hour. 

I saw a policeman at your house yesterday.

Eating an apple a day is good for your health. 

The definite article is used to indicate something specific. It refers to a noun that is either
understood (by the reader or listener) or has been previously referred to by the writer
or speaker. 

The house I live in is very small.

The lawyer said that I should plead, “Not Guilty”.

 

Quantifiers 

      Quantifiers are indefinite pronouns words that precede nouns that give some indication
      of how many or how much of the noun we are talking about. Common quantifiers are:
      some, any, few, little,  many, much, a lot, several. 

I have some money.

Do you have any bananas?

A few friends of mine just have a lot of nerve.

I have a little money.

Do you have much money?

I have many friends, but not much money.

 

Numbers

Numbers indicate a specific number of items.

There are five apples in the bowl.

13 students went on the field trip.

 

Demonstrative Adjectives

Demonstrative adjectives are demonstrative pronouns that immediately precede the
noun they refer to.

That is a cereal box.                     This is a problem.

These are DVD’s.                        Those are CD’s.

 

Possessive Adjectives

Possessive adjectives are pronouns which indicate ownership and immediately precede the
noun they refer to.

Will you give me my book please?

That is not his report card.

Please take off your shoes before entering?

 

Possessive Nouns

Possessive nouns are nouns used to indicate ownership or close relationship.

the mug’s handle       the boy’s shoes.