DETERMINERS- RULES, EXAM TRAPS, ADVANCED GRAMMAR NOTES

DETERMINERS-MEANING

Determiners are words placed before nouns to identify, specify, quantify or indicate which person, place, thing or amount we are talking about. They give additional information about a noun.

Examples:

1. I have a book.
2. This girl is intelligent.
3. My brother lives in Canada.
4. Several students were absent.
5. Every student must attend the class.

In these examples, the bold words are determiners because they provide information about the nouns.

Basic structure of Determiners

TYPES OF DETERMINERS

Type	Determiners	Brief description
1. Articles	A, An, The	Identify specific or non-specific nouns.
2. Demonstratives	This, That, These, Those	Point towards particular people or things.
3. Possessives	My, Our, Your, His, Her, Its, Their	Indicate ownership or relationship.
4. Quantifiers	Some, Any, Much, Many, Little, Few, Several, Enough	Express quantity or amount.
5. Distributives	Each, Every, Either, Neither	Refer to individuals or members of a group.
6. Interrogatives	Which, What, Whose	Introduce questions before nouns.
7. Numerals	One, Two, Three, First, Second	Express number or order.
8. Difference determiners	Other, Another, The Other	Indicate additional or remaining persons or things.
9. Emphasising/Similarity	Such, Same	Express a particular kind or identity.
10. Universal determiners	All, Both, Half	Refer to the whole quantity or a complete pair.

IMPORTANT RULES OF DETERMINERS

No.	Rule	Example
1	A/An is used with singular countable nouns.	An umbrella; a chair.
2	A is used before consonant sounds, not necessarily consonant letters.	A university.
3	An is used before vowel sounds.	An hour.
4	Many is used with plural countable nouns.	Many students.
5	Much is used with uncountable nouns.	Much information.
6	Few is used with plural countable nouns.	Few candidates.
7	Little is used with uncountable nouns.	Little knowledge.
8	Each and every take singular countable nouns.	Each candidate; every student.
9	Both is used for two people or things.	Both answers are correct.
10	Either and neither generally refer to two alternatives.	Either option is suitable.
11	Another is generally followed by a singular countable noun.	Another opportunity.
12	Other is used with plural countable or uncountable nouns.	Other books; other information.
13	These and those are followed by plural nouns.	These books.
14	This and that are followed by singular nouns.	That building.
15	Enough comes before a noun.	Enough money.
16	Enough comes after an adjective.	Intelligent enough.
17	Possessive determiners come before nouns.	Her decision.
18	No is used before a noun; none is generally a pronoun.	No student came. None came.
19	All can be used with countable and uncountable nouns.	All students; all the milk.
20	Fewer is preferred with countable nouns; less with uncountable nouns.	Fewer errors; less time.

IMPORTANT EXAM TRAPS OF DETERMINERS

These are particularly important for error detection, sentence improvement and fill-in-the-blanks.

No	Common error	Correct form	Explanation
1	Many furniture	Much furniture	Furniture is uncountable.
2	Much people	Many people	People is plural countable.
3	Few knowledge	Little knowledge	Knowledge is uncountable.
4	A little students	A few students	Students are countable.
5	Every candidates	Every candidate	Every takes a singular noun.
6	Each of the student	Each of the students	Each of + plural noun/pronoun.
7	These type of questions	These types of questions	Demonstrative agreement.
8	An one-eyed man	A one-eyed man	One begins with a /w/ sound.
9	A MBA graduate	An MBA graduate	M begins with a vowel sound.
10	Another two books	Two other books / Another two books	Both forms can be grammatical, depending on the intended construction.
11	The both candidates	Both candidates	Do not use the before both in this construction.
12	Every of them	Every one of them	Correct expression is every one of.
13	Less mistakes	Fewer mistakes	Mistakes are countable.
14	Fewer water	Less water	Water is uncountable.
15	Neither answers	Neither answer	Neither takes a singular noun in standard formal usage.
16	Such a beautiful flowers	Such beautiful flowers	Such + adjective + plural noun.
17	My this book	This book of mine	Avoid this determiner combination.
18	An advice	A piece of advice	Advice is uncountable.
19	Many a students	Many a student	Many a + singular noun + singular verb.
20	One of the boy	One of the boys	One of + plural noun.

ADVANCED EXAM TRAPS- CONFUSING DETERMINERS

Confusing pair	Difference	Examples
Few vs A few	Few = hardly any; A few = some.	Few people agreed. / A few people agreed.
Little vs A little	Little = hardly any; A little = some.	Little hope remained. / A little hope remained.
The few vs Few	The few = all of a small number.	The few friends I have are loyal.
The little vs Little	The little = the entire small amount.	The little money I had was spent.
Some vs Any	Some generally occurs in affirmative statements; any in negatives and questions.	I have some books. / I have not any books.
Each vs Every	Each focuses on individuals; every considers all members.	Each player received a medal.
Either vs Neither	Either = one of two; neither = not one or the other.	Either road is fine. / Neither road is safe.
Another vs Other	Another = one more/different; other = additional/different.	Another chance; other chances.
All vs Whole	All generally refers to total quantity; whole refers to something complete.	All the students; the whole day.
Less vs Fewer	Less = uncountable; fewer = countable plural.	Less sugar; fewer apples.
Both vs All	Both = two; all = entire group or quantity.	Both brothers; all brothers.
No vs None	No comes before a noun; none generally stands independently.	No student came. None came.

DIFFICULT FAQS- COMPETITIVE EXAMINATION LEVEL

Q1. Can ‘Many a’ be followed by a plural noun?

No. Many a is followed by a singular countable noun and takes a singular verb.

• Correct: Many a student has failed.
• Incorrect: Many a students have failed.

Q2. Can ‘Each’ be used with ‘of’?

Yes. Each of is followed by a plural noun or pronoun, but normally takes a singular verb.

• Each of the candidates is qualified.
• Each of them has submitted the form.

Q3. What is the difference between ‘Every one’ and ‘Everyone’?

Every one	Everyone
Can be used for people and things.	Refers to people.
Every one of the books is useful.	Everyone is invited.
Usually followed by ‘of’ when specifying a group.	Does not take ‘of’ directly.

Q4. Can ‘Both’ be used with ‘and’?

Yes. Both…and is a correlative construction.

Example: Both Priya and Kajal are intelligent.

Q5. Can ‘Either’ and ‘Neither’ be used for more than two options?

In traditional examination grammar, either and neither are generally associated with two choices. When referring to more than two, any and none are usually preferred.

Q6. What is the difference between ‘Another’ and ‘The other’?

• Another: One additional or different item.
• The other: The remaining item when referring to two.

Example: I have two pens. One is blue, and the other is black.

Q7. Can ‘Much’ be used in affirmative sentences?

Yes. Much is possible in affirmative sentences, especially with too, so, as, how and very.

Examples:

• There is too much noise.
• She has so much patience.
• I have very much respect for her.

Q8. Is ‘Information’ countable or uncountable?

Information is uncountable.

• Correct: Some information.
• Incorrect: An information.
• Correct: A piece of information.

Q9. Can ‘All’ be used before a singular noun?

Yes, with an appropriate uncountable noun.

Example: All the information was useful.

Q10. What is the difference between ‘All’ and ‘All of’?

Both are possible, but their constructions differ.

• All students passed.
• All of the students passed.
• All of them passed.

Before a noun with a determiner such as the, my or these, both all and all of can be used.

Q11. Can ‘Enough’ be placed after a noun?

Usually, enough comes before a noun.

• Enough food.
• Enough opportunities.

But it follows adjectives and adverbs.

• Strong enough.
• Quickly enough.

Q12. Is ‘A number of’ singular or plural?

A number of + plural noun generally takes a plural verb.

Example: A number of students are absent.

Compare:

The number of students is increasing.

Q13. Can ‘Such’ be used with singular countable nouns?

Yes. Such a/an + adjective + singular countable noun.

Example: She is such an intelligent girl.

Q14. What is the difference between ‘A little’ and ‘The little’?

• A little: Some amount.
• The little: The entire small amount available.

Examples:

• I have a little time.
• The little time I had was wasted.

Q15. Can ‘Both’ be followed by ‘of’?

Yes.

• Both students passed.
• Both of the students passed.
• Both of them passed.

SPECIAL STRUCTURES TO MEMORISE

Structure	Example
Many a + singular noun + singular verb	Many a soldier has sacrificed his life.
Each of + plural noun + singular verb	Each of the girls is talented.
Every one of + plural noun + singular verb	Every one of the players is ready.
A number of + plural noun + plural verb	A number of students are waiting.
The number of + plural noun + singular verb	The number of students is rising.
Both A and B + plural verb	Both Ram and Shyam are present.
Either A or B	Either Ram or Shyam is responsible.
Neither A nor B	Neither Ram nor Shyam is responsible.
Such + a/an + adjective + singular noun	Such a beautiful place!
Such + adjective + plural noun	Such beautiful flowers!
Quite + a/an + adjective + singular noun	Quite an interesting book.
Rather + a/an + adjective + singular noun	Rather a difficult question.
Half + the/a + noun	Half the population voted.
All + the/my/these + noun	All the students are present.

Advanced subject-verb agreement tip: In either…or and neither…nor constructions, the verb generally agrees with the subject nearest to it.

• Neither the teacher nor the students are ready.
• Neither the students nor the teacher is ready.

TOP TIPS FOR COMPETITIVE EXAMS REGARDING USE OF DETERMINERS

1. Identify the noun first: Determine whether it is singular, plural, countable or uncountable.

2. Check the verb: Each, every, neither and either generally take singular verbs in standard examination constructions.

3. Remember sound, not spelling: A university, an hour, an MBA.

4. Learn confusing pairs together: Few/a few, little/a little, another/other, less/fewer.

5. Watch for uncountable nouns: Advice, information, furniture, luggage, equipment, knowledge, research and stationery.

6. Understand quantity and quality: Few and little express an insufficient amount; a few and a little express a small but positive amount.

7. Do not confuse determiners and pronouns: My is a determiner; mine is a pronoun. Some can function as either, depending on its use.

8. Look for unnecessary articles: Avoid constructions such as the my book, the both boys and an information.

9. Remember fixed expressions: Many a student, a number of students, the number of students.

10. Read the entire sentence: The correct determiner depends on meaning, not just the noun immediately following it.

LAST-MINUTE REVISION: 15 GOLDEN RULES

No.	Remember
1	Many + plural countable noun
2	Much + uncountable noun
3	Few + plural countable noun
4	Little + uncountable noun
5	A few = some
6	A little = some
7	Each + singular noun
8	Every + singular noun
9	Both + plural noun
10	Either + singular noun
11	Neither + singular noun
12	Another + singular countable noun (standard basic pattern)
13	Other + plural countable/uncountable noun
14	Fewer + countable; less + uncountable
15	Enough + noun; adjective + enough

Exam preparation tip: Pay special attention to many a, each of, every one of, a number of, the number of, few/a few, little/a little, and another/other. These structures are especially useful for mastering advanced determiner questions in error spotting and sentence improvement.