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:

   • This is used before plural countable nouns and means all of those small numbers.
   • Example: "I have already read the few books I had."

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:

    • This is also used before both countable and uncountable nouns and means a small amount or number. It is usually used in negative and question sentences, but it can also be used in positive sentences with negative words.
    • 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:

    • This is used before countable nouns to show that there are two of something. It can also be used before uncountable nouns if they are of two types.
    • Examples:
      • "Both of them were wise."
      • "I will drink both milk and tea."

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.