Determiners in English Grammar with Examples

Determiners : [All, each, every, both, neither, other, another, enough, most, several, one, two etc., first, second etc.]

All :

As a determiners, ‘all’ can be used before a countable noun (all the boys, all cars) as well as an uncountable noun (all the fun, all the hard work).

In the first case, ‘all’ takes a plural verb.

All the boys were absent.

And in the second case it takes a singular verb

All this money is useless for me.

‘All’ can also be used as a pronoun.

All that glitters is not gold.

Each / Every :

‘Each’ means a number of persons or things considered individually.

‘Every’ does not emphasize the individual, although it conveys the same meaning.
‘Each’ can be used as a pronoun and adjective.

Each (man) knows his duties. (Correct)

‘Every’ is an adjective.

Every man knows his duties. (Correct)

Every knows his duties. (Wrong)

‘Each’ can be used for two or more persons or things. It is normally used for small numbers.

‘Every’ is not normally used for very small numbers.

Both ‘each’ and ‘every’ take a singular verb.

Both:

‘Both’ is used in the sense of ‘one and the other’. It takes a plural verb. ‘Both’ can be used alone or followed by a noun.

Both can be used after a personal pronoun.

We both went to congratulate them.

‘both ……… and ………’ indicates a combination of two adjectives, nouns, verbs etc.

It was both hot and humid.

Neither / Either:

‘Neither’ can be followed by ‘nor’ to combine two negatives.

‘Either’ means ‘any one of two’. It takes a singular verb.

I haven’t read either of these books.

‘Either’ is followed by ‘or’.

You can either wait for someone or come a little later.

One:

When we have been talking or writing about a group of people or things and want to say something about a particular member of the group, we use ‘one’. It is used instead of ‘a’ or ‘an’ and is more emphatic.

One woman novelist wrote that they criticized her all the time.

As a pronoun ‘one’ should be followed by appropriate cases of ‘one’.

One should do one’s duty.

Another:

‘Another’ is used with singular countable nouns to talk about an additional person or thing of the same type as have already been mentioned.

Could I have another cup of coffee?

Other:

‘Other’ is used with plural nouns or sometimes with uncountable nouns.

Other people must have thought like this.

Enough:

‘Enough’ is used before uncountable nouns and plural nouns to say that there is as much of something as is needed, or as many things as are needed.

They were not getting enough guests.

Most:

‘Most’ indicates nearly all of a group or amount.

Most people recover but the disease can be fatal.

Several:

‘Several’ usually indicates an imprecise number that is not very large, but is more than two.

I had seen her several times before.

Some questions to revise based on ANTONYMS:

1. For a business still in a burgeoning state of development the performance of the gem and jewellery sector in exports is gratifying.

(i) emerging (ii) established

(iii) dying (iv) sneaking

Answer: (ii)

2. While the reaction to major disasters is dismal, the response to emergencies like accidents is sad.

(i) depressing (ii) upset

(iii) competent (iv) animated.

Answer: (iv)

3. By the time she could realize the gravity of the situation, she found herself ensnared in the labyrinth of accusations.

(i) seized (ii) enmeshed

(iii) intrigued (iv) released.

Answer: (iv)

4. Thus there is a pressing need for technology as currently economic growth – though skewed and iniquitous - has created an economically attractive market in rural India.

(i) immoral (ii) godly

(iii) virtuous (iv) right

Answer: (i)

5. After taking into consideration manifold suggestions of the various organizations, the second consultative paper of capital adequacy was released.

(i) single (ii) alone

(iii) lonely (iv) isolated.