GCSE
English Language
1.1.6 Determiners
In this lesson, we will explore what a determiner is, the different types of determiners there are, and some examples of each. Determiners are words placed before a noun to help show which noun we are talking about or how much or how many there are. Without determiners, sentences can sound unclear or unnatural. Determiners are an important part of English grammar because they help give specific meaning to the nouns we use. There are several different types of determiners, and while some are very common (like the or my), others are more advanced and will be mentioned briefly in this lesson.
Determiners
A determiner is a word that usually comes before a noun and details the quantity, possession, specificity and/or context of it (e.g. I wanted the apple, but some boys snatched it before I could.)
Determiners are placed before a noun to give more information about it. Determiners tell us which one, how many, or whose. They help identify or specify the noun being mentioned. Determiners do not stand alone — they are always followed by a noun or noun phrase.
Unlike word classes like nouns or adjectives, determiners are not split into subcategories like “proper” or “compound.” Instead, they are grouped by function:
- Articles → a, an, the
- Demonstratives → this, that, these, those
- Quantifiers → some, many, few, much, all
- Possessives → my, your, his, her, its, our, their
- Numbers → one, two, three…
- Distributives → each, every, either, neither
- Interrogatives → which, what, whose
Every student must submit their work on time. “Every” is a determiner — it tells us which students are being referred to (all of them individually).Example
Students often confuse determiners with adjectives because both come before nouns. However, determiners don’t describe the noun — they limit or identify it. For example: In “those loud drums“, Don’t confuse function with position!Common Mistake
Determiners
- A determiner usually comes before a noun and gives information about quantity, possession, specificity, and/or context.
- They tell us which one, how many, or whose, and are always followed by a noun or noun phrase.
- Determiners do not stand alone.
- Main types include:
- Articles → a, an, the
- Demonstratives → this, that, these, those
- Quantifiers → some, many, few, much, all
- Possessives → my, your, his, her, its, our, their
- Numbers → one, two, three
- Distributives → each, every, either, neither
- Interrogatives → which, what, whose