Determinatives , Grammar American & British [ 7 ]

7- ] Grammar American & British .

Chapter Seven .

Determinatives .
Definitions of determiners

The determiner is an important noun modifier which provides introduces and provides context to a noun, often in terms of quantity and possession. Determiners in English precede a noun or noun phrase and include articles, demonstratives, quantifiers and possessives .

 A number of a class of words functioning in a noun phrase to identify or distinguish a referent without describing or modifying it. Examples of determinatives include articles (a, the), demonstratives (this, those), cardinal numbers (three, fifty), and indefinite numerals (most, any, each).

Sanghez .(2004:p95) Sanchez , Imma .(2004). “A practical Guide to English Usage.” Language Service,. University Oberta de Catalunya . She defined a determiners In Modern English Grammatical Terminology; determiners are considered to be words that limit or specify the nouns they modify. The most common examples are articles, demonstratives, possessives, quantifiers and other less easily classified terms such as all, some and other, which we will refer to as indefinites. Remember that we have classified the possessives and quantifiers as adjectives or adverbs for example:

1- The students are distributed into six groups

(a reference to some specific students).

2-Students need another kind of training

(general, unspecific reference).

 Ansell .(2000:p273). Ansell, Mary.(2000). “Free English Grammar.” sistem Dil Egitim merkezi  .She defined  determiners as many determiners can be used either as adjective or as pronouns when a determiner is used adjective modifying a noun , the determiner usually preceded any other adjectives modifying the same noun for example:

1 - The mouse is eating the cheese .

2 - The mice are eating the cheese .

 They defined determiners ‘are words that can occur directly before a noun, tell us a bit more about that noun, and introduce it.” The determiners are underlined in the sentences below, with the following noun in bold for example:

1. I milked The cow .

2. It is Harry’s turn .

3. They bought That house .

4. John has more money .

These sentences have examples of the four major types of determiners: articles, possessives,

demonstratives, and quantifiers. Generally, a noun will have only one of these determiner types in front of it , by EVELYN& ROBERTM.(2010:p45).

Alexander. (1988:p55) Alexander, L. G. (1988).” Longman English Grammar.” New York: Longman. .He defined determiners as We use a number of words in front of common nouns (or adjective + common noun) which we call determiners because they affect (or determine') the meaning of the noun. Determiners make it clear, for ,example, which particular thing(s) we are referring to or how much of a substance we are talking about . Singular countable nouns must normally have a determiner in front of them .

Articles give us information about a noun; they indicate whether or not the noun is a specific one known to both the speaker and listener .Take a look at these examples to see what we mean:

1. I bought a red car. (The listener doesn’t know anything about the red car.)

2. The red car was on sale. (The listener knows which car the speaker is talking

about.)

“The” is commonly called the definite article; “a” and “an” are called indefinite articles.

The definite article may be used with both singular and plural nouns, but the indefinite

articles only with singular nouns, as we can see in the following examples:

1-the idea  ,the ideas

2-an apple /the  apple

3-a revolution / the  revolutions

Swan .(1996 :P 135) Swan, M. (1996). “Practical English Usage.” International Student’s Edition. New York:. Oxford University Press. He defined a determiner in his book Practical English usage as the determiners are words like the, a, my, this, some, either, every enough, several. Determiners come at the beginning of noun phrases, but they are not adjectives.

The moon  /this moon / every week .

A nice day / some problems / enough trouble .

My fat old cat  / either arm  /several young students .

   Foley & Hall(1975:P272) . They defined  determiners are words precede noun , articles , demonstratives , quantifiers and possessive adjectives . Articles can be a problem area in English for students even at advanced level , especially for those whose own language has a very different article system for example :

1-Tigers are animals in danger of extinction .

2-The tiger is an animal in danger of extinction .

3-A tiger is an animal in danger of extinction .

But never: * The tigers are animals in danger of extinction .

 Leech & Svartvik .(1975:p205-206) Leech, G., & Svartvik, J. (1975). “A Communicative Grammar of English.” Singapore: Longman. They defined determiners are : “words which specify the range of reference of a noun in various ways, by making it definite ( the boy ), indefinite ( a boy), or by indicating quantity (many boys). The choice of determiner depends on the type of a common noun. There are three classes of them, particularly singular count nouns "bottle" ; plural count nouns" bottles" ; and mass nouns "music" . Proper nouns are usually used without any 13 determiners . Determiners always stand before the noun that they determine but the position differs, it is relative to one another. The category which is most important is that of central determiners, which includes articles. This category of determiners can be preceded by pre determiners and followed by post determiners.

 Cossé(2005;p120). Cossé .(2005). “My COMMUNICATIVE GRAMMAR STUDY GUIDE .” . UNIVERSIDAD DE CARABOBO . He defined determiners "specify the range of reference of a noun in various ways , by making it definite, indefinite, or by indicating amount or quantity."

Determining Determiners

How should you choose which determiner to use? For those who were raised speaking the English language, determining the determiner to use is second-nature, since determiners are so often used in front of nouns .Like the basic parts of speech, determiners are so ingrained into the English language that using them is simple. The same goes for most Indo-European languages (for instance, Romance languages such as Spanish and the Germanic languages such as German) .However, the languages of other countries may not use determiners, or may have sets of rules very different than the English language does. For these individuals, learning how and where to use determine can be rather difficult .

Determiners and Adjectives

Until recently, English teaching in schools did not take determiners into account. Many determiners were simply lumped into the category of “adjectives,” which works for some but certainly not for all . Adjectives have primarily three functions: they modify noun phrases, or complement the object or subject of a sentence .The function of a determiner is to express proximity, relationship, quantity, and definiteness .

Determiners are not gradable as are adjectives. For example, a person may be angry, angrier, or the angriest. A person cannot be “her-est” or “the-est  .Determiners are usually necessary (or obligatory) in a sentence, whereas adjectives are not . Adjectives, unlike determiners, cannot have corresponding pronouns . Adjectives and determiners are distinct from one another and cannot simply be lumped into the same category.

Function of a Determiner

A determiner can take on a number of different meanings and roles in a sentence. The determiner is used in every case to clarify the noun . They may be used to demonstrate or define something or someone . Quantifiers state how many of a thing , in number or expression. A determiner is used to show that the noun indicated is a specific one (that one), not an unspecific one (any) .They may also state the differences between nouns .

While determiners may have a number of other functions, most of them are related to these two key areas. The list of determiners only numbers about 50 words, and all of these words are commonly used by most individuals. Determiners are not difficult to get the grasp of when contrasted with adjectives, and do not take too long for native English speakers to grasp. After all, how many times have you had trouble deciding whether to say “the” or “a” .

Determiners in English

There are many different determiners in the English language:

Articles

Articles are among the most common of the determiners. A, an, and the all express the definiteness and specificity of a noun

For example, “the” is a definite article, meaning the person using the word is referring to a specific one. On the other hand, “a” or “an” are indefinite articles .

The dog is barking too loudly

A student returned the book

Demonstratives

Demonstratives, such as this, that, these and those, require a frame of reference in which an individual can point out the entities referred to by a speaker or a writer

Do you want this piece of chicken ?

I don't want to go to that movie .

Quantifiers

Quantifiers, such as all, few, and many, point out how much or how little of something is being indicated .

He took all the books

Few of the children wanted to go to the zoo

Possessive

When referring to an entity that belongs to another, you can use possessives. My, your, their, and its are a few examples .

Is this your car .

The dog growled and showed its teeth .

There are many other types of determiners. For instance, cardinal numbers, the numbers that are written out in English, are also included in the class of determiners. Determiners are generally split into two groups—definite determiners and indefinite determiners.

Determiners in English are

Articles	Definite ‘the’ / Indefinite ‘a’ / ‘an
Demonstratives	this , that , these , those
Possessives	my , your , his , her , its , our , their
Quantifiers	many , few , both , little , many , etc.
Numerals	one , two , three , first , second , third , etc.
Expressions like	whatever , whoever , whichever , etc.
Genetive	Ali’s car , the boy’s shirt , etc.

Classifications of Determiners

 Swan (1996:p147-150). Swan’s classification differs in terms in comparison with other

authors. The explanations, the rules and the examples shown in the following part are taken from his grammar book. 

Group A determiners are described as a group which helps to identify things, particularly to say whether those things are known or unknown to the hearer, whether the reference is to a particular thing or in general.

Group B determiners comprises mostly quantifiers, which expresses the amount that it is talked about,. some, any, no; each, every, either, neither; all, both, half; much, many, more, most, (a) little, less, least; a few, fewer, fewest; enough; several; what, whatever, which, whichever; one, two, three. Some of these determiners are used with singular nouns. each; some with plural ones. many; some with 17 uncountable nouns. much; and some are used with more than one kind of a noun. which. There can be used two Group B determiners together providing that the combination makes sense,. every few days, all six novels, any more coffee .

 In their grammar book A Communicative Grammar of English(1975)Leech and Svartvik devote one whole chapter to the topic of determiners, where they describe their classification and use. 

The first group discussed are central determiners, which are divided into six groups. The first group are determiners used with all three classes of nouns (singular and plural count and mass nouns). This group comprises the definite article, possessives whose, which(ever), what(ever) , stressed some and any and no. the pen, my pen, whose gloves, any pens, no friends. The second group are determiners which are used only with plural count and mass nouns. This group comprises the zero article, unstressed some, unstressed any and enough -some apples, any clothes, enough rice. The third group is composed of determiners which are used only with singular count and mass nouns, and these are this and that. The fourth group of determiners connects only with singular count nouns. These are namely a (an), every, each, either and neither. The fifth group comprises determiners used only with plural count nouns. These are these and those. The last group are determiners used only with mass nouns. This group comprises the determiner much only by Leech & Svartvik (1975:p205 - 370)

Green Baum and Quirk(1990:p70 - 92) . They are the authors who pay a great deal of

attention to the grammar of determiners. In their grammar book " A Student’s Grammar of the English Language (1990) ", there is a section where it is possible to find the classification and all the rules concerning determiners, especially articles, the rules of which are most numerous .In their grammar book, we can also find a brief part which is separate from the rest where determiners are discussed in connection with pro-forms and ellipsis.

Determiners accompany noun phrases. Determiners are divided into three classes based on their position in the noun phrase, namely central determiners, pre determiners and post determiners. The use of determiners is also dependent on the type of a noun .“The distinction between concrete and abstract nouns is important semantically. However, whether the noun is countable or uncountable, or proper or common is important for the use of determiners.

The first and the largest class discussed in this grammar book are central determiners. This group of determiners comprises articles, particularly the definite article the, the indefinite article a and the zero article, then demonstratives, possessives, wh-determiners, the negative determiner no, universal determiners, the non-assertive dual determiner either, the negative dual determiner neither, the general assertive determiner some, the general non-assertive determiner any and the quantitative determiner enough. The correct use of articles is dependent on the class concerning the number of the noun, there is a system how to use articles. With singular nouns, the definite article is used with both countable and uncountable nouns ,and the indefinite article is used with countable nouns .Singular uncountable nouns expressing indefiniteness are used with the zero article. Definite plural nouns are used with the definite article and indefinite plural nouns are used with the zero article. The zero article is together with 'a', which is used with singular count nouns, counted as an indefinite article and it is analogous to 'a' with non count and plural count nouns. One of the other types of central determiners are demonstratives, which can be used with singular count, plural count and non count nouns. Another type of central determiners are possessives, namely my, our, your, his, her, its, their, Other central determiners are wh-determiners which, whose, whichever, whatever, whosever , which can be used as relatives, indefinite relatives or interrogatives. Other types of determiners are used only with singular count nouns, particularly the universal

determiners every and each. Those central determiners occur only with non count nouns, the general assertive determiner some , the general non-assertive determiner any, and the quantitative determiner enough. The second class which is described in the grammar book are pre determiners .According to Green Baum and Quirk, pre-determiners are mutually exclusive. They stand immediately before central determiners and are divided into two subgroups. The first one is composed of all, both and half and the second one are multipliers. The last group discussed in this grammar book are post determiners. They stand immediately after central determiners. But when there is no central determiner, the distinction is neutralized. Post determiners are divided into two classes: ordinals and quantifiers.

Alexander(1988:p55-70) . In Alexander’s grammar book Longman English  Grammar (1988), "there is only a brief classification of determiners. In order to understand Alexander’s classification of determiners ".

According to Alexander (1988), determiners are words which are used in front of common

nouns and which have an influence on the meaning of the noun. They clarify the amount of the substance or which thing is talked about. There can also be an adjective in front of the noun instead of a determiner . The first article the particular rules of which are discussed in the grammar book of Alexander is the indefinite article a/an. It is used only with singular nouns to classify or identify, or to express quantity. With plural nouns the zero article is used to classify/identify and some is used to express the quantity. The second use of article the particular rules of which are discussed is the definite article 'the'. It “never varies in form whether it refers to people or things, singular or plural” so it does not differ in form but it does in pronunciation. There are two different ways how to pronounce 'the'. The first one /ðə/ is before consonant sounds and the second one /ði:/ is in front of vowel sounds. The second type of pronunciation of 'the' is also used to emphasize the noun which follows the article. 

 A large section of Alexander’s grammar is devoted to the zero article. Even though there is no article, it got the name owing to its frequency, so it should not be regarded as the use of no article but as the use of the 'zero article' .There are three basic types of uses of the zero article. It is used with three types of nouns, namely plural countable nouns, uncountable nouns and proper nouns. But they can occur before countable nouns and uncountable nouns to talk about specific items as well as before names in specific cases .

e.g. The Chicago of the 1920s was a terrifying place.

Huddleston (1984:p233 -236), determiners are closed-class words such as the, a, some, any,

etc., or expressions such as a few, my uncle’s, how much, etc. A noun phrase can contain from none to even three determiners, e.g. ideas, his ideas, his many ideas, all his ideas and all her many ideas. If there is more than one determiner, the order is fixed . Thus three positions of determiners have to be distinguished for the sake of the easier understanding of  Huddleston’s classification of determiners, the following figure is presented.

 1 ( Predeterminers ) : all , both , half , etc.

                                                                                                  

                                                                                             the , this , these , etc.

Determiners                    11 ( Central determiners )        we , us , you , etc.

                                          111 ( Postdeterminers )             every , many , several , etc.

                                  Classification of determiners by Huddleston

Huddleston labels these positions only as I, II and III. He shows an example of the noun

phrase. At the beginning there are determiners in order I, II, III, then there is a modifier and a head. Then he classifies particular words belonging to the groups of determiners. Group I contains words such as all, both, half, one-third, three-quarters, double, twice, such, what, etc. Group II contains i) the, this, these, that, those, then ii) we, us, you, etc.; and iii) which, what, a, another, some, any, no, either, neither, each, enough, much, more, most, less, a few, a little. Group III includes words such as every, many, several, few, little, one, two, three, etc.

Functions of Determiners

Brinton & donna (2010:p210) . A determiner phrase is a phrase in which at least one

determiner functions as the head of the phrase plus any additional determiners or p-words

functioning as particles. The two grammatical forms that appear within the internal structure of English determiner phrases are:

1- Determiners

2-P-words

Determiner phrases may consist of two or more determiners plus a p-word. Determiner phrases perform the grammatical function of determinative.

Forms of Determiner Phrases

The first form of determiner phrase is the determiner phrase consisting of two determiners.  For example

all six astronauts (quantifier + numeral)

all the frogs (quantifier + article)

the two children (article + numeral)

these 24 sodas (demonstrative determiner + numeral)

the many obstacles (article + quantifier)

her many problems (possessive determiner + quantifier)

which four books (interrogative determiner + numeral

whose three socks (possessive interrogative determiner + numeral)

The second form of determiner phrase is the determiner phrase consisting two determiners and a P-word For example:

many of the counties (quantifier + p-word + article)

all of her knitting (quantifier + p-word + possessive determiner)

two of a kind (numeral + p-word + article)

seven of his grandchildren (numeral + p-word + possessive determiner)

The third form of determiner phrase is the determiner phrase consisting of three determiners. For example

all her many accomplishments (quantifier + possessive determiner + quantifier)

all the many layers (quantifier + article + quantifier)

all these many difficulties (quantifier + demonstrative determiner + quantifier)

The fourth form of determiner phrase is the determiner phrase consisting of three determiners and a P-word. 
For example:

all of the twenty soldier (quantifier + p-word + article + numeral)

half of her thirty-two relatives (quantifier + p-word + possessive determiner + numeral)

some of these 75 choices (quantifier + p-word + demonstrative determiner + numeral)

nine of those dozen cookies (numeral + p-word + demonstrative determiner + quantifier)

Other combinations of determiners and p-words are also possible in forming determiner phrases in English.

 A large section of Alexander’s grammar is devoted to the zero article. Even though there is no article, it got the name owing to its frequency, so it should not be regarded as the use of no article but as the use of the zero article. There are three basic types of uses of the zero article. It is used with three types of nouns, namely plural countable nouns, uncountable nouns and proper nouns. But they can occur before countable nouns and uncountable nouns to talk about specific items as well as before names in specific cases .

e.g. The Chicago of the 1920s was a terrifying place.

Huddleston (1984:p233 -236), determiners are closed-class words such as the, a, some, any,

etc., or expressions such as a few, my uncle’s, how much, etc. A noun phrase can contain from none to even three determiners, e.g. ideas, his ideas, his many ideas, all his ideas and all her many ideas. If there is more than one determiner, the order is fixed . Thus three positions of determiners have to be distinguished for the sake of the easier understanding of  Huddleston’s classification of determiners, the following figure is presented.

Articles belong to a closed class of words call determiners. Determiners provide information such as familiarity, location, quantity, and number about a noun, pronoun (rarely), or noun phrase. Articles specify the grammatical definiteness of a noun or noun phrase. The definite article in English is the. The indefinite articles in English are a and an. Definite articles express definiteness ,or that the noun or noun phrase is uniquely specified or known. Indefinite articles expressing definiteness, or that the noun or noun phrase is general or unknown. In addition to definite and indefinite articles, some grammars also list negative articles and the zero article as articles in the English language. The negative article in English is no, which is also sometimes considered a quantifier. The zero article (Ø) is a lack of an article. In grammar, a determinative is a word or phrase that expresses additional information such as definiteness, proximity, quantity, and relationships about a noun phrase and that differs from an adjective phrase, which describes attributes. In the English language, articles frequently function as determinatives . Examples: of articles as determinatives include the following

1-A little boy brought me an egg. (indefinite article, indefinite article)

2-An apple a day keeps the doctor away. (indefinite article, indefinite article, definite article)

3-The roof on the house needs a good cleaning. (definite article, definite article, indefinite article)

4-No woman wants a man with no ambition. (negative article, indefinite article, negative article)

5-No man can learn every language. (negative article)

6-The vet can find no dog named Rex in the record book. (definite article, negative article, definite article

 7-Ø Children like to look at the lions at the zoo. (zero article, definite article, definite article)

8-Ø Bears eat Ø berries in the woods. (zero article, zero article, definite article)

Huddleston (1984:p233 -236). Belonging to a closed class of words, determiners provide

information such as familiarity, location, quantity, and number about a noun or noun phrase. Determiners differ in form and function from adjectives, which describe attributes of nouns and noun phrases. Similar to quantifiers, numerals are counting numbers such as one, two, three, and four that provide information about the amount of a word or phrase. Some grammars consider numerals as a subcategory of quantifiers.

Using Numerals

Like other determiners, numerals perform the grammatical function of determinative. Numerals indicate the number of quantity of another word or phrase. For example:

1-Two birds ate four cherries

2-I have one child

3-The merchant sold seven ripe yellow bananas

4-The choir consists of 153 tone-deaf singing nuns

Numerals may appear within determiner phrases. 
For example

1-Six of the children failed the exam

2-She enjoyed all four of the movies

3-Pick out any three books

4-We washed some of the 20 windows

Numerals are counting numbers such as one, two, three, and four that provide information about the amount of a word or phrase.

Interrogative determiners ask questions about unknown nouns and noun phrases. The interrogative determiners in English are what and which. The possessive determiner whose, or possessive interrogative determiner, is also an interrogative determiner. Do not confuse the interrogative determiners with some of the interrogative pronouns or relative pronouns, which are similar in form but different in function.

In grammar, a determinative is a word or phrase that expresses additional information such as definiteness, proximity, quantity, and relationships about a noun phrase and that differs from an adjective phrase, which describes attributes. In the English language, interrogative determiners frequently function as determinatives. Examples of interrogative determiners as determinatives include the following:

1-What movie do you want to watch tonight?

2-What book are you reading for class?

3-Which soup do you want with your entrée?

4-He was accepted into which college?

5-Whose hat is this?

6-You crashed into whose fence?

 Hopper,(1999:p157).  Paul J . Hopper .(1999). ‘A Short Course in Grammar . : Cambridge

University Press . Determiners differ in form and function from adjectives, which describe attributes of nouns and noun phrases. Quantifiers provide information about quantity of another word or phrase. Some of the most common English quantifiers include the following: (All ,any ,both ,each ,either ,enough ,every ,few ,fewer ,less ,many ,more ,most ,neither ,no ,several and some) Many quantifiers appear within determine phrases that contain the p-word of functioning as a particle. For example (all of ,few of ,many of ,most of ,none of ,plenty of and some of )Multipliers such as twice, double, and second and fractions such as one-third and half are also quantifiers. Some grammars consider numerals, or counting numbers, as a subcategory of quantifiers. Some grammars also categorize the determiner no as a negative article .

Using Quantifiers

Like other determiners, quantifiers perform the grammatical function of determinative. Quantifiers indicate the quantity of another word or phrase. For example

1-Many students failed to finish the exam

2-She wants fewer rolls and more biscuits

3-All of the branches broke off the tree

4-The second film was better than the first.

5-Half the apples fell into the creek.

6-Neither foot hurts much anymore.

Quantifiers are determiners that provide information about the quantity of another word or phrase.

Common kinds of determiners include definite and indefinite articles (like the English the and a or an), demonstratives (this and that), possessive determiners (my and their), cardinal numerals, quantifiers (many, all and no), distributive determiners (each, any), and interrogative determiners (which).

Determiners include articles (a, an, the), cardinal numbers (one, two, three...) and ordinal numbers (first, second, third...), demonstratives (this, that, these, those), partitives (some of, piece of, and others), quantifiers (most, all, and others), difference words (other, another), and possessive determiners (my,

There are four different types of determiners in English: articles, demonstratives, quantifiers, and possessives.

To sum up, determiners are used to express a close relationship, or a quantity, closeness or definiteness. Determiners are also used to demonstrate something or define someone, besides stating differences between nouns. It may be noted that determiners should not be confused with adjectives as there are several differences. For instance, determiners are almost always required in a sentence whereas adjectives are not. Determiners are not gradable whereas adjectives are.

Generally such determiners, also known as quantifiers, can be classified into three categories, like so:

The first category, comprising A, ALL, AN, ANOTHER, EVERY, BOTH, EACH, EITHER, FEW, MANY, SEVERAL, MOST, NEITHER, NO and ANY, can be used with countable nouns only. In this category we can add all the numbers. For instance, we can say ‘FOUR STUDENTS were selected for the school cricket team’ but we cannot say ‘My father gave me FOUR MONIES’. Here ‘student’ is a countable noun whereas ‘money’ is an uncountable noun.

The second category, comprising ENOUGH, LITTLE, MORE, SOME and MUCH, can be used with uncountable nouns only. For instance, in the example above we could say ‘My father gave me SOME MONEY’ or ‘He lost MUCH BLOOD when he hurt himself falling down from the cycle’. Here both ‘money' and 'blood’ are uncountable nouns.

The third category, comprising ALL, SOME, MOST, MORE, ENOUGH, NO and ANY, can be used with both countable and uncountable nouns. For instance, we can say ‘SOME TABLES were broken in the hailstorm’ and ‘Pass me SOME WATER please’ and here SOME is a determiner which can be used by both countable (table) and uncountable (water) nouns.

It takes some practice to use the correct determiners and the trick is to learn about the context of the sentence and identify the nouns and the appropriate determiners to use.

Certain classes of words are grouped under the term determinatives . Their uses are discussed more fully elsewhere .

1- ] Articles ‘a’ , ‘an’ , ‘the’ .

2-] Adjectives of quantity ; 1- ] all the cardinal numbers  ( one – two three , etc. ) 2- ] all , some , several , any , much , many (a) few , (a) little , no , enough , etc.

3-] Distributive adjectives : each , every , both , neither , either .

4- ] Interrogative adjectives : which , what , whose .

5- ] Demonstrative adjectives : this , that , these , those .

6- ] Possessive adjectives : my , your , his , her , its , their , our .

7- ] Nouns and noun-phrases in the possessive case : Ali’s book , the man’s shirt , an old woman’s face .

Many of these words may stand alone as pronouns , or may qualify nouns . When they qualify nouns , they differ from qualificative adjectives ( big , red , intelligent , active , etc. ) in two important respects .

A- ] Word Order : They are always placed before any qualifying adjectives .

Examples

the red shirt / this old house / my new brown coat .

B- ]Distribution : 1- ] One of the appropriate determinatives must always be used before a singular countable noun ( indefinite article ‘a’ , ‘an’ ) . 2- ] An appropriate determinative may be used before uncountable nouns and plural countable nouns , but is not always needed in these cases . Except for the combinations shown below , only one determinative can be used before a noun .

Determinatives are used before : 1- ] singular countable nouns . 2- ] plural countable nouns .

3- ] uncountable nouns .

Determiners with countable and uncountable nouns (SOME, ANY, NO, MANY, MUCH, FEW, LITTLE etc.)

Determiners precede nouns and show what kind of reference the noun has. Some determiners can only be used with countable or uncountable nouns, while others can be used with both. Countable nouns take a singular or plural form depending on the determiner which precedes them:

Singular countable nouns        Plural countable nouns           Uncountable nouns

A, AN, THE

A man and a woman came in.

I heard an interesting story at the office yesterday.    THE, zero article

The apples were peeled and quartered.

Mondays are always busy here.

THE, zero article

She jumped into the water.

A magnet attracts iron.

THIS, THAT

This film was good.

I like that shirt.                      THIS, THAT

Where did you buy this wine?

That cheese smells delicious.

            THESE, THOSE

Can I try on these jeans?

How do you like those cherries?         

SOME, ANY, NO

I was just talking to some guy from school.

Any sensible person would have done the same.

I am no scientist.         SOME, ANY, NO

I have some problems.

I don't have any problems.

I have no problems.     SOME, ANY, NO

I have some time.

I don't have any time.

I have no time.

EVERY

Every cloud has a silver lining.                       

            FEW, A FEW, FEWER, THE FEWEST

There were few people at the concert. (not many)

There were a few people at the concert. (some)

We had fewer computers a year ago.

This medicine has the fewest side effects.        LITTLE, A LITTLE, LESS, THE LEAST

There is little hope that he will survive. (not much)

There is a little hope that he will survive. (some)

Tim should spend less time on the computer.

This medicine does the least harm.

            MANY, MORE, (THE) MOST, MOST OF THE

There were not many people at the concert. (few)

More people came to the concert than expected.

Most mammals live on land.

Tom got the most votes.

Most of the visitors were art students. MUCH, MORE, (THE) MOST, MOST OF THE

There is not much hope that he will survive. (little)

There is more hope that he will survive.

Most furniture is made of wood.

Which candy bar has the most sugar in it?

Most of the time I'm not at home.

            A LOT OF, LOTS OF, PLENTY OF

There are a lot of tables and chairs in the room.

There are lots of tables and chairs in the room.

There are plenty of tables and chairs in the room.      A LOT OF, LOTS OF, PLENTY OF

We have a lot of space in the car.

We have lots of space in the car.

We have plenty of space in the car.

            A NUMBER OF

A number of questions arose at the meeting.   AN AMOUNT OF

The word budget means an amount of money we have available to spend.

ANOTHER, THE OTHER

Can you think of another example?

I'd prefer the other car.

OTHER, THE OTHER

Other boys would have done the same.

The other students went home.           OTHER, THE OTHER

Is there other software available?

The other news is that they are getting married in June.

            ENOUGH

Do you have enough pens for everyone?         ENOUGH

Is there enough milk in the fridge?

            ALL, ALL THE

All students must take a placement test at the beginning of the course.

I couldn't answer all the questions.     ALL, ALL THE

Not all coffee is bitter.

The robber took all the money.

            BOTH

Both sides wanted peace.       

NEITHER, EITHER

Neither player has won the game.

You can choose either way.                 

            NONE OF THE

Luckily, none of the soldiers were killed.        NONE OF THE

None of the music they played attracted me.

EACH

Each question carries one mark.

◂ Nouns with countable and uncountable meanings▴

Countable and uncountable nouns Partitive expressions with uncountable nouns ▸

Notes On Some Determinatives .

Much / Many

1- ] Much is used with uncountable ( singular ) nouns .

Examples

You haven’t much time if you want to catch that train .

I do not have very much money .

I do not want much sugar in my tea .

2- ] Many is used with plural countable nouns .

Examples

You haven’t many minutes to spare if you want to catch that train .

Hoe many apples do you like ?

Note :

The only occasion when many is used with a singular noun is in the phrase many a .

Examples

Many a ship has ( = many ships have ) been wrecked on these rocks .

Many a man would be glad of your job .

I have been there many a time . ( = many times )

3- ] Much and many are most frequently used in negative or interrogative sentences ; much with singular uncountable nouns , many with plural nouns .

Examples

I haven’t much time .

Did you have much rain on your holidays ?

There is not much sugar in the sugar bowl .

Do you know many people in Cairo ?

There are not many mistakes in your exercise .

4- ] Much and many are usually preferred even in affirmative constructions . In the colloquial use in affirmative statements ‘much’ and ‘many’ are frequently replaced by ‘a lot of’ , ‘lots of’ , ‘a large quantity of’ , ‘plenty of’ , ‘a good deal of’ .

Examples

He will have a lot of time to spare when he has finished the he is working on .

She knows lots of people in London .

He has done a good deal of research on that subject .

Note :

With ‘a lot of ’ and ‘ plenty of ’ the verb is singular with uncountable nouns , plural with countable nouns .

Examples

There is plenty of sugar in the sugar bowl .

There are plenty of chairs for everyone .

5- ] ‘Much’ and ‘many’ are used in indirect questions introduced by whether or if .

Examples

I doubt whether there will be much time for seeing the sights of London ; your train leaves at six o’clock .  

I wonder if many people will be at the party .

6- ] ‘Much’ and ‘many’ are used when preceded by ‘so’ , ‘too’ , ‘as’ , ‘how’ .

Examples

He has so much money and I have so little .

There are too many mistakes in your exercise .

He has drunk too much wine and ought not to drive his car home .

You can have as much juice ( as many glasses of juice ) as you want .

I know how much money ( how many dollars ) that ring cost .

7- ] ‘Much’ and ‘many’ are used when they qualify the subject of the sentence .

Examples

Many hands make light work . Proverb

Many Englishmen like to spend their spare time working in their gardens .

Much time would be saved if you planned your work properly .

8- ] Much stands alone ( i.e. with no noun ) .

Examples

Much depends on what answer the Prime Minister gives to that question .

I would give much to know what he is thinking now .

Much of what he says is true .

Much as I should like to come , I’m afraid I must refuse .

9- ] Much is followed by an abstract noun , especially when the noun is preceded by an adjective .

Example

The book is the fruit of much patient research .

Few , Little .

1- ] - Bothe ‘few’ and ‘little’ have a negative implication .

- Few contrasted with many is used with plural countable nouns .

Examples

The few friends that he had are all dead .

Few people would agree with you .

- Little ( as a determinative and contrasted with much ) is used with singular uncountable nouns . Little has the meaning ‘not much’ , and the emphasis is on the scantiness .

Examples

The little money that he has will hardly keep him in food .

The shipwrecked  sailors had no food and little water .

2- ] ‘ A few ’ , and ‘ a little ’ have a positive implication . They mean ‘ some ’ , though not many ( much ) .

Examples

He has a few friends who call to see him quite frequently .

A few people would agree with you .

He has a little money and can live quite comfortably on it .

The shipwrecked sailors had a little water .

Exercise

Complete the following sentences by inserting in each a word chosen from the following : all the words can be used .

something , someone , somebody , nothing , nobody , everything , everybody , anything , anyone , anybody .

1- ] There is -------------- strange in his behavior  today .

2- ] Is there --------------- specially interesting in the paper this morning ?

3- ] No there’s ------------------ startling .

4- ] There is --------------- very outstanding in English in my class .

5- ] ---------------- valuable was taken by the burglars .

6- ] --------------------- well-known in the theater attended that first night .

7- ] I’m sure -------------------- cleverer than he will get the prize .

8- ] Was there ------------------- specially well dressed at the dance last night ?

9- ] ----------------------- interested in the subject is invited to attend the lecture .

10- ] There must be ----------------- clever to solve this problem .

Exercise .

Insert ‘rather’ or ‘quite’ in the correct position in these sentences .

1- ] He can do difficult exercises correctly .

2- ] This is a valuable violin though it is certainly not a Stradivarius .

3- ] They are not very generous people ; in fact they are mean .

4- ] He was not clever enough to pass his exam , though he worried very hard .

5- ] She is an unhealthy-looking girl . I don’t think she gets enough exercise . [ use both words in this sentence ]

Exercise

Use expressions chosen from the following list to complete these sentences ;

few , a few , little , a little , the little

1- ] ‘Is there any tea left in the pot ?’ ‘Yes , -------------.’

2- ] ‘Do you smoke at all ?’ ‘Yes , but very ---------------‘.

3- ] ‘Do you smoke at all ?’ yes …………..’ .

4- ] Our driver had had --------------- drinks and wasn’t fit to take the wheel .

5- ] Having had ------------------ opportunities to practice , I did not play the piece as well as I might have done .

6- ] Having had ---------------- opportunities to practice , I played the piece reasonably well .

7- ] He is a lonely man , he has ---------------- friends .

8- ] I have only -------------coal in my cellar because the coal man has not come .

9- ] We must save -------------- money we have left for our journey home .

10- ] He always has ------------------ in reserve for emergencies .

11- ] Can you come to our house this evening ? I am inviting ------------- friends for coffee .