TSL1024 - LANGUAGE

DESCRIPTION (LDS)

WEEK 3: (28 & 29 JUNE)

DETERMINERS
By : Miss Pat Woo
 Definition of determiners:
Words which identify/specify/
precede a noun in various ways.
For example:
• By making it definite (the child)
• By making it indefinite ( a child)
• By indicating quantity/amount
(many/ some/ three children)
3 Categories of determiners:
1. Predeterminers
2. Determiners
3. Postdeterminers
Sequence of determiners:
Intensifiers 1. Predeterminers 2. Determiners 3. Postdeterminers
(adverbs)

even both, all, half Articles: Cardinal

A(n), the numbers:
One, two…

only Multipliers: Demonstratives: Ordinal numbers:

once, twice, This, that, these, First, second…
many, ten… those

just Fractions Possessives: General Ordinals:

a quarter, two- my, your, his… Other, more,
thirds… next, last,
following…
Sequence of determiners:
Intensifiers Predeterminers Determiners Postdeterminers
(adverbs)

Even what, such, Quantifiers: Quantifiers:

Just quite… Some, any, each, Few, several,
only every, no, little, more,
either… less…

WH-determiners:
what, whose,
which (ever)…
Determiners (most important
category) can be preceded by
predeterminers or/and
followed by postdeterminers.
 1. Predeterminers
4 Types:
a) All, both, half
Count Mass
Singular Plural
All √ √ Can you eat all those apples?
Can you eat all that rice?

Both √ - Both (of) his sisters are tall.

Half of the apple was rotten.

Half √ √ √ Half of the apples were rotten.
Half the time, he dreams in
class.
Note:
• The predeterminers (all, both and half) come
before articles, possessives, or demonstratives.
• They cannot occur before other quantifiers
such as any, some, enough, each.
• The predeterminers (all, both and half) may be
followed by the preposition “of” .
Eg.
Both of his sisters are tall.
 1. Predeterminers
b) Multipliers (Once, twice, double…)
These occur with singular and plural count
nouns expressing amount and degree.
Eg.
• He is twice the height of his sister.
• They want double their current salary.
Note:
• Multipliers can occur with a, every, each to
form frequency adverbials.
Eg.
I visit my grandparents once every fortnight.
 1. Predeterminers
c) Fractions (a quarter, half, two-thirds…)
These can be followed by determiners. The
“of-” construction is optional.
Eg.
• He ate a quarter of the pizza all by himself.
• Half the savings belong to me.
 1. Predeterminers
d) What, such, rather, quite
These degree determiners function as modifiers of
the noun phrases. They occur:
• before the indefinite article with singular count
nouns
• without an article with plural count nouns and mass
nouns
Eg.
What a pity!
It was a rather long way.
 2. Determiners:
(a)
Articles:
- a (indefinite article)
- an (indefinite article –vowel
sounds)
- the (definite article)
- zero article (Proper nouns/
idiomatic expressions)
 2. Determiners
The Definite Article (for The Indefinite Article
definite meaning) (for indefinite
meaning)

Singular The house/car a house/car

count nouns

Plural count
Nouns The houses/cars (Some) houses/cars

(Singular) the bread (Some) bread

mass nouns
With an article Without an article
Transport: 1. Come by bus
1. Ride a bicycle 2. Travel by bus
2. Drive the car

Places/Institutions:
1. Walk into the hotel 1. Go to bed
2. Meet at the library 2. Be at/ leave home

Time:
1. In the morning 1. Woke at dawn
2. During the day 2. Fly by night
Meals:
3. Have you cooked the meal 1. He’s coming for lunch.
for us?
 Determiners:
(b) Demonstratives – (this,
that, these, those)
 Determiners:
c) Possessives (my, your, his, her…)
Note: Do not be confused with pronouns.

Used in a central position with all

types of nouns (singular/plural count
and mass nouns)
Eg. “I found my keys/ your money.”
 Determiners:

d) Quantifiers (some, any, no, each…)

Like possessives, quantifiers have more
than one function- as determiners and as
pronouns. As determiners, quantifiers may
function in a predeterminer and
postdeterminer position.
 Quantifier Determiners
Type of Quantifier Count (Singular) Count (Plural) Mass Singular
Determiners
1. Quantifiers all all all
with every - -
“inclusive” each - -
meaning - both -
half half half

2. Some and some some some

any words any any any
either - -
neither - -
 Quantifier Determiners
Type of Quantifier Count (Singular) Count (Plural) Mass Singular
Determiners
3. Expressing - many much
degree of - more more
quantity/amount - most most
- enough enough
- (a) few (a) little
- fewer less
- fewest least
- several -

4. Indefinite one - -
quantifiers

5. Negative no no no
quantifiers neither - -
Examples of different types of quantifier determiners:

1. She gave sweets to all the children.

2. He cleaned both cars.
3. We live one day at a time.
4. Did any cars get burnt?
5. Either method will work.
6. He has no trouble with his work.
7. She has been fasting for several weeks.
8. Have you got enough spice for the curry?
 2. Determiners:

e) Wh-determiners:
what(ever),which(ever),whose(ever)
Examples:
1. Which pop singer do you like?
2. Whose children are they?
3. What drink do you prefer?
4. You can buy whatever dress you want.
5. Please take whichever pen you need.
 3. Postdeterminers

Postdeterminers can follow any

determiners but they must
occur before nouns, participles
and adjectives. There are three
types.
 3. Postdeterminers

a) Cardinal numbers (one, two..)

One can only occur with singular count
nouns while all other cardinal numbers
occur only with plural count nouns.
Eg.
• I have two kittens and four pups.
 3. Postdeterminers

b) Ordinal numbers (first, second...)

These only occur with count nouns and
usually come before cardinal numbers in a
noun phrase (although this depends on the
context).
Eg.
• The first two prizes were awarded to her.
• She won two first prizes on Sports Day.
 3. Postdeterminers

c) Quantifiers (many, a few, much…)

Eg.
• Her many friends often visit her.
• We have a little time to spare before the
next class.
• Roger eats a little less amount of rice than
before.
• May I have some more water, please?
 Tutorial Tasks:
1. Do the photostated exercises for practice.
2. Discuss the answers with your lecturers.
3. Write an account of about 80-100 words on your
first week in the hostel/IPG-KBA/class or any
place of your choice. Use at least 10 types of
determiners in your account.
4. Share your account with the rest of the class
(optional if time permits).