Category:Determiner

Determiners are wonderful things. They give the listerner a clue about which noun a speaker is talking about.

Syntax
The Determiner forms part of the noun phrase as follows:

Positive Definition
You need a determiner before singular countable nouns (except names).

Negative Definision
You need a determiner before a singular countable noun; but you don't need a determiner before:
 * Names of people or places
 * Uncountable nouns
 * Plural countable nouns

Types of Determiners
There are different types of determiners, each providing certain information:

Articles

 * Articles include { a, an, the } and let the listerner know whether we are referring to any countable noun or a countable noun that the listener should already know about.


 * e.g. I want  a  dog. (I want  any  dog)
 * e.g.  The  dog bit nose! (The speaker thinks the listener should already know  which dog  you're talking about.)

Quantifiers

 * Quantifiers tell the listener how much of a uncountable noun the speaker is talking about:


 * e.g. Do you want some tea?
 * e.g. Do you want a large amount of tea?

Numerals

 * Ok, this one is easy. Numerals tell the listener how many of a countable noun the speaker is talking about:


 * I want two oranges.
 * I have three arms.

Demonstratives

 * Demonstratives show us which noun we're talking about:


 * Do you want this sword, or that one?
 * Actually, I'll take all of those swords.

Possessive Adjectives

 * Possessive adjectives are also easy. Even a two year old can use them:


 * This is my mom.
 * Give me your milk.