Determiners | English Grammar for Class 6 PDF Download

What are Determiners?

Determiners are words that are used before nouns to clarify what the noun is referring to. They help define, specify, or limit the meaning of a noun.

For example:

• Articles like "a," "an," and "the" are determiners. "A cat" means any cat, while "the cat" refers to a specific cat.
• Possessive Determiners show ownership, like "my," "your," or "their" (e.g., "my book").
• Demonstrative Determiners point out specific things, like "this," "that," "these," or "those" (e.g., "this car").
• Numeral Determiners indicate numbers, like "one," "two," or "several" (e.g., "three apples").
• Quantitative Determiners show quantity, like "some," "many," or "few" (e.g., "many students").

They are essential in making sentences clearer and more specific.

1. Little:

   • This word is used before uncountable nouns and means a very small amount or almost nothing.
   • Example: "I am very busy. I have little time for fun."

2. A Little:

   • This also goes before uncountable nouns but means a small amount.
   • Example: "There is a little milk in the jug."

3. The Little:

   • This is used before uncountable nouns and means all of that very small amount.
   • Example: "I ate the little food you gave me."

4. Few:

   • This word is used before plural countable nouns and means a very small number or almost none.
   • Example: "He has few books."

5. A Few:

   • This is also used before plural countable nouns and means a small number, but more than just a few.
   • Example: "Only a few boys passed in English."

6. The Few:

   • The few is used before plural countable nouns to refer to a specific, small group of people or things.
   • Example: "The few students who stayed back helped clean the classroom.

7. Many:

   • This word is used before plural countable nouns and means a large number.
   • Example: "I have many friends."

8. Much:

   • This is used before uncountable nouns and means a large amount.
   • Example: "I don’t have much milk."

9. Some:

   • This word is used before both countable and uncountable nouns in positive sentences and to make offers or requests. It means a small amount or number.
   • Examples:
     • "There is some milk in the pot."
     • "Will you spare some time for me?"

10. Any:
    Any is used before both countable and uncountable nouns to refer to an unspecified quantity or number. It is often used in questions and negative sentences, but it can also appear in positive sentences.

    • Examples:
      • "He didn’t do any work."
      • "Are there any pens?"
      • "He has hardly any work to do."

11. Various and Several:

    • Various is used before plural countable nouns to talk about many different things or people.
    • Several is used before plural countable nouns to talk about many things or people of the same kind.
    • Examples:
      • "Various books were lying on the table."
      • "He sold several books."

12. Enough:

    • This word is used before both countable and uncountable nouns and means the right or needed amount or number.
    • Example: "I have enough money."

13. Both:

• Both’ is used before plural countable nouns to refer to two people or things together. It is rarely used with uncountable nouns.
• Example:  Both of my parents are doctors.

Each, every, either, and neither are words used to talk about one person or thing out of a group of many people or things.

• Each: This is used when talking about a specific number of people or things. It is used when the group is small or the number is known.
  Example: "Each question carries equal marks."
  Here, we are talking about each question in a specific set of questions.
• Every: This is used when talking about people or things in a group where the number is not known or is large.
  Example: "Every word of this letter is correct."
  Here, we're talking about every word in the entire letter.
• Either: This is used to refer to one of two options.
  Example: "Either room is good."
  Here, either of the two rooms being talked about is good.
• Neither: This is used to say that none of the two options are correct or applicable.
  Example: "Neither boy was present."
  Here, neither of the two boys was present.
• Only: This is used to indicate that there is just one thing or person and nothing else.
  Example 1: "Sangeeta is the only girl fit to take this responsibility."
  Here, Sangeeta is the only one who can take responsibility.
  Example 2: "The bank is the only place where our money is safe."
  Here, the bank is the only safe place for money.
  Example 3: "Rahim is the only cook who can cook such delicious food."
  Here, Rahim is the only cook who can make this kind of tasty food.