Determiners

Determiners are words placed in front of a noun to make it clear what the noun refers
to.
Determiners in English
Definite article : the
Indefinite articles : a, an
Demonstratives: this, that, these, those
Pronouns and possessive determiners : my, your, his, her, its, our, their
Quantifiers : a few, a little, much, many, a lot of, most, some, any, enough
Numbers : one, ten, thirty
Distributives : all, both, half, either, neither, each, every
Difference words : other, another
Pre-determiners : such, what, rather, quite
The definite article
The word "the" is one of the most common
words in English. It is our only definite article.
Nouns in English are preceded by the definite
article when the speaker believes that the
listener already knows what he is referring to.
The speaker may believe this for many
different reasons, some of which are listed
below.
When to use "the"
General rules
Use the to refer to something which has
already been mentioned.
Examples
On Monday, an unarmed man stole $1,000
from the bank. The thief hasn't been caught
yet.
I was walking past Benny's Bakery when I
decided to go into the bakery to get some
bread.
There's a position available in my team. The
job will involve some international travel.
Use the when you assume there is just one of
something in that place, even if it has not been
mentioned before.
Examples
We went on a walk in the forest yesterday.
Where is the bathroom?
Turn left and go to number 45. Our house is
across from the Italian restaurant.
My father enjoyed the book you gave him.
Use the in sentences or clauses where you
define or identify a particular person or object.
Examples
The man who wrote this book is famous.
I scratched the red car parked outside.
I live in the small house with a blue door.
He is the doctor I came to see.
Use the to refer to people or objects that are
unique.
Examples
The sun rose at 6:17 this morning.
You can go anywhere in the world.
Clouds drifted across the sky.
The president will be speaking on TV tonight.
The CEO of Total is coming to our meeting.
Use the before superlatives and ordinal
numbers.
Examples
This is the highest building in New York.
She read the last chapter of her new book first.
You are the tallest person in our class.
This is the third time I have called you today.
Use the with adjectives, to refer to a whole
group of people.
Examples
The French enjoy cheese.
The elderly require special attention.
She has given a lot of money to the poor.
Use the with decades.
Examples
He was born in the seventies.
This is a painting from the 1820's.
Use the with clauses introduced by only
Examples
This is the only day we've had sunshine all
week.
You are the only person he will listen to.
The only tea I like is black tea.
Proper nouns
Use the with names of geographical areas,
rivers, mountain ranges, groups of islands,
canals, and oceans.
Examples
They are travelling in the Arctic.
Our ship crossed the Atlantic in 7 days.
I will go on a cruise down the Nile.
Hiking across the Rocky Mountains would be
difficult.
Use the with countries that have plural names
Examples
I have never been to the Netherlands.
Do you know anyone who lives in the
Philippines?
Use the with countries that include the words
"republic", "kingdom", or "states" in their
names.
Examples
She is visiting the United States.
James is from the Republic of Ireland.
Use the with newspaper names.
Examples
I read it in the Guardian.
She works for the New York Times.
Use the with the names of famous buildings,
works of art, museums, or monuments.
Examples
Have you been to the Vietnam Memorial?
We went to the Louvre and saw the Mona
Lisa.
I would like to visit the Eiffel Tower.
I saw King Lear at the Globe.
Use the with the names of hotels &
restaurants, unless these are named after a
person.
Examples
They are staying at the Hilton on 6th street.
We ate at the Golden Lion.
Use the with the names of families, but not
with the names of individuals.
Examples
We're having dinner with the Smiths tonight.
The Browns are going to the play with us.
When not to use "the"
Do not use the with names of countries
(except for the special cases above).
Examples
Germany is an important economic power.
He's just returned from Zimbabwe.
Do not use the with the names of languages.
Examples
French is spoken in Tahiti.
English uses many words of Latin origin.
Indonesian is a relatively new language.
Do not use the with the names of meals.
Examples
Lunch is my favorite meal.
I like to eat breakfast early.
Do not use the with people's names.
Examples
John is coming over later.
Mary Carpenter is my boss.
Do not use the with titles when combined
with names.
Examples
Prince Charles is Queen Elizabeth's son.
President Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas.
Do not use the after the 's possessive case
Examples
His brother's car was stolen.
Peter's house is over there.
Do not use the with professions
Examples
Engineering is a well-paid career.
He'll probably study medicine.
Do not use the with names of shops
Examples
I'll get the card at Smith's.
Can you go to Boots for me?
Do not use the with years
Examples
1948 was a wonderful year.
He was born in 1995.
Do not use the with uncountable nouns
Examples
Rice is an important food in Asia.
Milk is often added to tea in England.
War is destructive.
Do not use the with the names of individual
mountains, lakes and islands
Examples
Mount McKinley is the highest mountain in
Alaska.
She lives near Lake Windermere.
Have you visited Long Island?
Do not use the with most names of towns,
streets, stations and airports
Examples
Victoria Station is in the centre of London.
Can you direct me to Bond Street?
She lives in Florence.
They're flying into Heathrow.
Indefinite Articles
In English, the two indefinite articles
are a and an. Like other articles, indefinite
articles are invariable. You use one or the
other, depending on the first letter of the word
following the article, for pronunciation
reasons. Use a when the next word starts with
a consonant, or before words starting
in u and eu when they sound like you.
Use an when the next word starts with a
vowel (a,e,i,o,u) or with a mute h.
Examples
a boy
an apple
a car
a helicopter
an elephant
a big elephant
an itchy sweater
an ugly duck
a european
a university
a unit
an hour
an honor
The indefinite article is used to refer to
something for the first time or to refer to a
particular member of a group or class.
Use a to refer to something for the first time.
Examples
Would you like a drink?
I've finally got a good job.
An elephant and a mouse fell in love.
Naming members of a group
Use a with names of jobs.
Examples
John is a doctor.
Mary is training to be an engineer.
He wants to be a dancer.
Use a with nationalities and religions in the
singular.
Examples
John is an Englishman.
Kate is a Catholic.
Use a with the names of days of the week
when not referring to any particular day.
Examples
I was born on a Thursday.
Could I come over on a Saturday sometime?
Use a to refer to an example of something.
Examples
The mouse had a tiny nose .
The elephant had a long trunk .
It was a very strange car .
Use a with singular nouns after the words
'what' and 'such'.
Examples
What a shame !
She's such a beautiful girl .
What a lovely day !
Use a meaning 'one', referring to a single
object or person, or a single unit of measure.
In these sentences using "one" instead of the
indefinite article is grammatically correct. It will
add emphasis to the number, and contrast with
other numbers.
Examples
I'd like an orange and two lemons please.
I'd like one orange and two lemons please.
The burglar took a diamond necklace and
some valuable paintings.
I can think of a hundred reasons not to come.
I need a kilogram of sugar.
I need one kilogram of sugar.
You can't run a mile in 5 minutes!
Demonstratives
Demonstratives show where an object, event,
or person is in relation to the speaker. They can
refer to a physical or a psychological closeness
or distance. When talking about events, the
near demonstratives are often used to refer to
the present while the far demonstratives often
refer to the past.
 Far from the
Near the speaker
speaker
Adverb Here There
Demonstrative This That
with singular
nouns
& uncountable
nouns
Demonstrative These Those
with
plural
countable
nouns
 Demonstrative usage
Examples

Near the speaker Far from the speaker

Is this John's house? Is that John's house
over there?
This is a nice surprise! That must have been a
nice surprise for you.
These apples are Those apples are
mine. yours.
What are you up Those days are long
to these days? gone.
This time I won't be We really surprised
late. you that time.
This sugar is for my You can use that
crepes. sugar for your cake.
Sentence placement
Demonstratives can be placed before the
noun or the adjective that modifies the noun.
Examples
This blue car needs to be washed next.
Those people were here first.
That metal rod should work.
These oranges are delicious.
Demonstratives can also appear before a
number by itself when the noun is understood
from the context.
Examples
I'd like to try on that one.
This one is broken.
I'll take these three.
Those two are not as pretty as these two.
Demonstratives can be used by themselves
when the noun they modify is understood
from the context.
Examples
I'll never forget this.
That has nothing to do with me.
I didn't ask for these.
Those aren't mine.
Pronouns and possessive determiners : my,
your, his, her, its, our, their
Pronouns
Pronouns replace nouns. A different pronoun is
required depending on two elements: the
noun being replaced and the function that
noun has in the sentence. In English, pronouns
only take the gender of the noun they replace
in the 3rd person singular form. The 2nd
person plural pronouns are identical to the 2nd
person singular pronouns except for the
reflexive pronoun.
 Object Possessive Possessive Reflexive or
Subject Pronoun Adjective Pronoun Intensive
Pronoun (Determiner) Pronoun

1st person I me my mine myself

singular

2nd person you you your yours yourself

singular

3rd person he him his his himself

singular,
male
3rd person she her her hers herself
singular, female

3rd person it it its itself

singular, neutral

1st person plural we us our ours ourselves

2nd person plural you you your yours yourselves

3rd person plural they them their theirs themselves

Subject Pronouns
Subject pronouns replace nouns that are the
subject of their clause. In the 3rd person,
subject pronouns are often used to avoid
repetition of the subject's name.
Examples
I am 16.
You seem lost.
Jim is angry, and he wants Sally to apologize.
This table is old. It needs to be repainted.
We aren't coming.
They don't like pancakes.
Object Pronouns
Object pronouns are used to replace nouns
that are the direct or indirect object of a
clause.
Examples
Give the book to me.
The teacher wants to talk to you.
Jake is hurt because Bill hit him.
Rachid recieved a letter from her last week.
Mark can't find it.
Don't be angry with us.
Tell them to hurry up!
Possessive Adjectives (Determiners)
Possessive adjectives are not pronouns, but
rather determiners. It is useful to learn them at
the same time as pronouns, however, because
they are similar in form to the possessive
pronouns. Possessive adjectives function as
adjectives, so they appear before the noun
they modify. They do not replace a noun as
pronouns do.
Examples
Did mother find my shoes?
Mrs. Baker wants to see your homework.
Can Jake bring over his baseball cards?
Samantha will fix her bike tomorrow.
The cat broke its leg.
This is our house.
Where is their school?
Possessive Pronouns
Possessive pronouns replace possessive nouns
as either the subject or the object of a clause.
Because the noun being replaced doesn't
appear in the sentence, it must be clear from
the context.
Examples
This bag is mine.
Yours is not blue.
That bag looks like his.
These shoes are not hers.
That car is ours.
Theirs is parked in the garage.
Reflexive & Intensive Pronouns
Reflexive and intensive pronouns are the same
set of words but they have different functions
in a sentence.
Reflexive pronouns refer back to the subject of
the clause because the subject of the action is
also the direct or indirect object. Only certain
types of verbs can be reflexive. You cannot
remove a reflexive pronoun from a sentence
because the remaining sentence would be
grammatically incorrect.
Examples
I told myself to calm down.
You cut yourself on this nail?
He hurt himself on the stairs.
She found herself in a dangerous part of town.
The cat threw itself under my car!
We blame ourselves for the fire.
The children can take care of themselves.
Intensive pronouns emphasize the subject of a
clause. They are not the object of the action.
The intensive pronoun can always be removed
from a sentence without changing the
meaning significantly, although the emphasis
on the subject will be removed. Intensive
pronouns can be placed immediately after the
subject of the clause, or at the end of the
clause.
Examples
I made these cookies myself.
You yourself asked Jake to come.
The Pope himself pardoned Mr. Brown.
My teacher didn't know the answer herself.
The test itself wasn't scary, but my teacher
certainly is.
We would like to finish the renovation before
Christmas ourselves.
They themselves told me the lost shoe wasn't
a problem.
Quantifiers : a few, a little, much, many, a lot
of, most, some, any, enough
Quantifiers
Quantifiers are adjectives and adjectival
phrases that give approximate or specific
answers to the questions "How much?" and
"How many?" The pages in this section will
teach you more about the different quantifiers
in English and how they are used.
Quantifiers in English
Numbers in English: ordinal, cardinal, and
percentages
Choosing the right quantifier: countable and
uncountable nouns
Expressing opinions about quantity
Indefinite and incomplete quantities
Using graded quantifiers to compare amounts
Using the quantifier "enough"
Numbers in English
The cardinal numbers (one, two, three, etc.)
are adjectives referring to quantity, and the
ordinal numbers (first, second, third, etc.) refer
to distribution.
Number Cardinal Ordinal
1 one first
2 two second
3 three third
4 four fourth
5 five fifth
6 six sixth
7 seven seventh
Examples
There are twenty-five people in the room.
He was the fourteenth person to win the
award.
Six hundred thousand people were left
homeless after the earthquake.
I must have asked you twenty times to be
quiet.
He went to Israel for the third time this year.
Reading decimals
Read decimals aloud in English by pronouncing
the decimal point as "point", then read each
digit individually. Money is not read this way.
Written Said
0.5 point five
0.25 point two five
0.73 point seven three
0.05 point zero five
0.6529 point six five two nine
Reading fractions
Read fractions using the cardinal number for
the numerator and the ordinal number for the
denominator, making the ordinal number
plural if the numerator is larger than 1. This
applies to all numbers except for the number
2, which is read "half" when it is the
denominator, and "halves" if there is more
than one.
Written Said
1/3 one third
3/4 three fourths
5/6 five sixths
1/2 one half
3/2 three halves
Pronouncing percentages
Percentages are easy to read aloud in English.
Just say the number and then add the word
"percent".
Written Pronounced
5% five percent
25% twenty-five percent
36.25% thirty-six point two five
percent
100% one hundred percent
400% four hundred percent
Reading sums of money
To read a sum of money, first read the whole
number, then add the currency name. If there
is a decimal, follow with the decimal
pronounced as a whole number, and if coinage
has a name in the currency, add that word at
the end. Note that normal decimals are not
read in this way. These rules only apply to
currency.
Written Spoken
25$ twenty-five dollars
52€ fifty-two euros
140₤ one hundred and forty
pounds
$43.25 forty-three dollars and
twenty-five cents
(shortened to "forty-
three twenty-five" in
everyday speech)
€12.66 twelve euros sixty-six
₤10.50 ten pounds fifty
Pronouncing measurements
Just read out the number, followed by the unit
of measurement, which will often be
abbreviated in the written form.
Written Spoken
60m sixty meters
25km/h twenty-five kilometers
per hour
11ft eleven feet
2L two liters
3tbsp three tablespoons
1tsp one teaspoon
Pick the right quantifier
To answer the questions How much? and How
many? certain quantifiers can be used with
countable nouns (friends, cups, people), others
with uncountable nouns (sugar, tea, money)
and still others with all types of nouns.
Only with With all types of Only with
uncountable nouns countable
nouns nouns
a little no, none, not a few
any
a bit of some a number of
any several
a great deal of a lot of, lots of a great number
of
a large amount plenty of a large number
of of
Only with With all types of Only with
uncountable nouns countable
nouns nouns
a little no, none, not a few
any
a bit of some a number of
any several
a great deal of a lot of, lots of a great number
of
a large amount plenty of a large number
of of
Using "Much" and"Many"
Much and many are mainly used in
interrogative and negative sentences. They are
also used in affirmative and negative sentences
in combination with too and so. Notice: the
word many can be used alone in affirmative
sentences while the
word much cannot. Much is replaced in
affirmative sentences with a lot of or lots
of (these expressions can also replace many).
Uncountable nouns Countable nouns
How much sugar do How many
you have? people came to the
concert?
There's not much Not many people came
sugar at the store. to the concert.
I have too much There were too many
sugar at home. people at the concert.
I don't know what to do It's a problem when
with so much sugar. there are so many
people.
I wish there was not so There were not so
much sugar here. many people last year.
There is a lot of There are many
sugar in candy. people who want to
come. = There are a lot
of people who want to
come.
Expressing opinions about quantity
The quantifiers few and a few, and little and a
little seem nearly identical but they are actually
quite distinct. These expressions show the
speaker's attitude towards the quantity he is
referring to as either positive or negative.
Positive attitude
A few (for countable nouns) and a little (for
uncountable nouns) describe the quantity in a
positive way, implying that although the
speaker may not have much, he has enough.
Examples
I've got a few friends. = I have enough friends.
I have a few flowers in my garden. = I have
enough flowers.
I've got a little money. = I have enough money.
I have a little free time on Thursdays. = I have
enough free time.
Negative attitude
Few (for countable nouns) and little (for
uncountable nouns) describe the quantity in a
negative way. They may actually indicate a
total lack of the noun, but are more polite than
saying so directly.
Examples
Few people visited him in hospital. = he had
almost no visitors, or perhaps no visitors at all.
I've seen few birds around here. = there are
almost no birds, or perhaps not a single bird
He had little money for treats. = almost no
money, or perhaps no money at all
I have little time for TV = almost no time, or
perhaps no time at all
Indefinite and Incomplete Quantities
Some and any can be used with countable and
uncountable nouns to describe an undefined
or incomplete quantity.
Using "some"
Some can be used in descriptive sentences.
Examples
I had some rice for lunch.
He got some books from the library.
I will have some news next week.
Philip wants some help with his exams.
There is some butter in the fridge.
Some is also used in interrogative sentences
when you think you already know the answer.
Examples
Did he give you some tea? = I think he did.
Is there some fruit juice in the fridge? = I think
there is.
Would you like some help? = Probably you do.
Will you have some roast beef? = Probably you
will
Some can also be used in interrogative
sentences to ask for something or to offer
something.
Examples
Could I have some books, please?
Why don't you take some apples home with
you?
Would you like some tea?
Will you have some cake?
Using "any"
Any is used in interrogative sentences when
you do not know the answer.
Examples
Do you have any friends in London?
Do they have any children?
Do you want any groceries from the shop?
Are there any problems with your work?
Any is also used with not to form negative
sentences. In these sentences, the
word any emphasizes the negativity to make it
more absolute.
Examples
She doesn't want any kitchen appliances for
Christmas.
They don't need any help moving to their new
house.
I don't want any cake.
There isn't any reason to complain.
Graded quantifiers
Graded quantifiers allow us to compare the
quantity of one thing with the quantity of
another, without specifying an exact quantity
for either element. Graded quantifiers preceed
nouns. Different quantifiers are needed for
countable and uncountable nouns. Sometimes
the noun can be omitted when it is understood
from the context.
They are distinct from comparatives and
superlatives, which compare the degrees of a
quality (adjectives) or the degree of the
manner something was done (adverbs).
Graded quantifiers, like comparatives and
superlatives, hold a relative position on a scale
of increase or decrease. The superlative grade
is always preceeded by the in a sentence.
quantifier comparative superlative
grade grade
With plural countable nouns
many more most
few fewer fewest
With uncountable nouns
much more most
little less least
Examples
There are many people in England, more
people in India, but the most people live in
China.
Much time and money is spent on
education, more on health services but the
most is spent on national defence.
Few rivers in Europe are not polluted.
Fewer people die young now than in the
seventeenth century.
The country with the fewest people per square
kilometre must be Australia.
Scientists have little hope of finding a
complete cure for cancer before the year 2020.
She had less time to study than Paul but had
better results.
Give that dog the least opportunity and it will
bite you.
Enough as a quantifier
Enough can be used as a quantifier when it is
placed before any noun, to indicate the
quantity required or necessary. It can be used
in both affirmative and negative sentences.
Examples
There is enough bread for lunch.
She has enough money.
There are not enough apples for all of us.
I don't have enough sugar to make a cake.
The word enough can also be an
adverb of degree, in which case it is not placed
before a noun.
Numbers : one, ten, thirty
Numbers in English
The cardinal numbers (one, two, three, etc.)
are adjectives referring to quantity, and the
ordinal numbers (first, second, third, etc.) refer
to distribution.
Number Cardinal Ordinal
1 one first
2 two second
3 three third
4 four fourth
5 five fifth
6 six sixth
7 seven seventh
8 eight eighth
9 nine ninth
10 ten tenth
11 eleven eleventh
12 twelve twelfth
Examples
There are twenty-five people in the room.
He was the fourteenth person to win the
award.
Six hundred thousand people were left
homeless after the earthquake.
I must have asked you twenty times to be
quiet.
He went to Israel for the third time this year.
Distributives : all, both, half, either, neither,
each, every
Distributives
Distributive determiners refer to a group of
people or things, and to individual members of
the group. They show different ways of looking
at the individuals within a group, and they
express how something is distributed, shared,
or divided.
Using distributives
Using "each" and "every" to talk about the
members of a group as individuals
Using "all" to talk about the whole group
Using "half" to talk about a divided group
Using "both", "either", and "neither" to talk
about pairs of people or things
Using "each" and "every"
Each is a way of seeing the members of a
group as individuals, while every is a way of
seeing a group as a series of members. These
distributives can only be used with countable
nouns. They are normally used with singular
nouns, and are placed before the noun. In
many cases, they are interchangeable.
Examples
Each child received a present.
Every child received a present.
I gave each plant some water.
I gave every plant some water.
Each can also be used with plural nouns and
pronouns but must be followed by
'of'. Every cannot be used with plural nouns.
Examples
Each of the children received a present.
I gave each of the plants some water.
He told each of us our jobs.
I gave each of them a kiss.
Every can express different points in a series,
especially with time expressions. Each works in
the same way, but is less common.
Examples
Every morning John goes jogging.
This magazine is published every week.
I have my coffee here every day.
I go visit my mother each week.
Each Monday, he buys a kilo of apples.
Using "all" as a distributive
The distributive determiner all is used to talk
about a whole group, with a special emphasis
on the fact that nothing has been left
out. All can be used as a distributive in several
different patterns.
All can be used with uncountable nouns and
plural countable nouns by itself. In this usage,
it refers to the group as a concept rather than
as individuals.
Examples
All cheese contains protein.
I like all dogs.
All children need affection.
This soap is for all purposes.
All can be used with uncountable nouns and
plural countable nouns preceeded by the or a
possessive adjective. In this case, the meaning
is shifted towards referring to a concrete,
physical group rather than the group as a
concept. In these uses, the word of can be
added just after all with no change in meaning.
Examples
All the people in the room were silent.
All of the birds flew away.
Have you eaten all the bread?
I will need all of the sugar.
I've invited all my friends to the party.
I've used up all of our eggs.
You wasted all your time.
All can be used with plural pronouns
preceeded by of.
Examples
All of us are going.
He scolded all of you.
Did you find all of them?
All can be used in questions and exclamations
with uncountable nouns preceeded
by this or that. In these uses, the word of can
be added just after all with no change in
meaning.
Examples
Who has left all this paper on my desk?
Look at all this snow!
Why is all of that sugar on the floor?
Where did all of this confetti come from?
All can be used in questions and exclamations
with countable nouns preceeded
by these or those. In these uses, the
word of can be added just after all with no
change in meaning.
Examples
Look at all those balloons!
Where did all of those books come from?
Why are all these children crying?
Using "half" as a distributive
The distributive determiner half is used to talk
about a whole group divided in two. Half can
be used as a distributive in several different
patterns. Other fractions can be used in the
same patterns, although they are less frequent.
Half can be used with measurements
preceeded by an indefinite article (a or an). In
this usage, it refers to a measurement.
Examples
I had half a cup of milk left.
I bought half a kilo of flour.
He ran half a mile this morning.
I will be back in half a minute.
Half can be used with nouns preceeded
by the, a, a demonstrative, or a possessive
adjective. In this case, the meaning refers to a
concrete, physical division. The word of can be
added just after half with no change in
meaning.
Examples
Half the people have already left.
Half of an apple isn't very much lunch.
Did you use half my sugar?
I will need half of the flour for my cake.
I earned half of that money last summer.
She found half these frogs in the river.
I spent half that time on my project.
You can take half of those books back.
I've invited half my friends to the party.
I've used up half of our eggs.
You wasted half your money on that!
Half can be used with plural pronouns
preceeded by of.
Examples
Half of us are going.
He scolded half of you but he let the rest off.
You couldn't find half of them?
Distributives for pairs of objects
The distributive determiners both,
either and neither are concerned with
distribution between a pair of objects.
Normally, these words cannot be used to refer
to a group of three or more individuals. They
also cannot be used to refer to a group of
indefinite size. These distributives can only
refer to countable nouns.
Using "both"
Both refers to the whole pair and is equivalent
to "one and the other". Both can be used with
plural nouns on its own, or it can be followed
by "of", with or without an article. When
followed by a plural pronoun, both must be
separated from the pronoun by
"of". Both cannot be used with singular nouns,
because it refers to two things.
Examples
Both children were born in Italy.
Both the children were born in Italy.
Both of the children were born in Italy.
Both my parents have fair hair.
Both of my parents have fair hair.
Both of us like skiing.
I told both of them to calm down.
Using "either"
Either is positive and when used alone, refers
to one of the two members of the pair. It is
equivalent to "one or the other". Because it
refers to just one member of a pair, either must
be used before a singular noun. It can also be
used with a plural noun or pronoun if followed
by "of".
Examples
I can stay at either hotel.
Either day is fine for me.
There are two chairs here. You can take either
of them.
Either of you can come.
Either of the hotels will be fine.
I can eat either of the salads.
Either can also be used with or in a
construction that talks about each member of
the pair in turn. The meaning remains the
same, but in this case either is not functioning
as a distributive. It is functioning as a
conjunction.
Examples
You can have either ice cream or chocolate
cake.
I will come on either Thursday or Friday.
You can either come inside or put on your
raincoat.
Using "neither"
Neither is negative and when used alone,
refers to the whole pair. It is equivalent to "not
one or the other". Because it refers to just one
member of a pair, neither must be used before
a singular noun. It can also be used with a
plural noun or pronoun if followed by "of".
Examples
Neither chair is any good.
Neither brother came.
Which bag do you want? Neither of them.
Neither of us were on time.
I think neither of these dresses fits me.
Neither of the children wanted to go.
Neither can also be used with nor in a
construction that talks about each member of
the pair in turn. The meaning remains the
same, but in this case neither is not functioning
as a distributive. It is functioning as a
conjunction.
Examples
You can have neither cookies nor candy.
It is neither raining nor snowing.
She is neither tall nor short.
Determiners of difference
The determiners other and another refer to
something different, remaining, or additional.
They are placed before a noun. The other is
treated separately because its usage is slightly
different.
Other Plural countable nouns
and all uncountable
nouns
Another Singular countable
nouns
The other Any noun that can take
the definite article "the"
Using "other"
Other can be used alone or after the
determiners some, any, and no.
Examples
Do you have other shoes?
There are other jobs you could try.
Is there any other bread?
I have some other sugar we could use.
We have no other ideas.
If used with a plural countable noun and one of
these determiners, the noun may be omitted
when it is understood from the context. In that
case, other becomes plural. This can also
happen with other used by itself, but it is less
common.
Examples
Do you have any others?
I know some others who might like to come.
There are no others in this box.
I know others like vanilla, but I prefer
chocolate.
She doesn't have to wear that dress. She
has others.
Using "another"
Another is used with singular countable nouns.
For uncountable nouns, another is often used
with measure words that are singular.
Examples
Have another cookie.
Would you like another cup of tea?
He has another brother.
I don't have another car.
I'll come by another time.
Using "the other"
If the other is modifying a plural countable
noun, the noun may be omitted when it is
understood from the context. In that
case, other will become plural.
Examples
Where is the other box of cereal?
I work on the weekend and go to school on the
other days of the week.
May I use the other honey for my recipe?
I enjoyed the first book but I didn't read the
other books in the series.
Have you seen the others?
Jim ate two cookies. I ate the others.
Pre-determiners
Pre-determiners are normally placed before
an indefinite article + adjective + noun to
express an opinion about the noun they
modify. Such and what are used to express
surprise or other emotions.
Examples
What a lovely day!
She's such a beautiful woman.
You can't imagine what an incredible meal I
just ate.
I've had such a good time today!
Rather and quite are commenting words,
referring to the degree of a particular quality
as expressed by the adjective that modifies the
noun. They can express disappointment,
pleasure, or other emotions depending on the
adjective in question. In British
English, rather is used as a pre-determiner. In
American English it is only used as an adverb.
The examples given below are British English.
Examples
It was quite a nice day.
He's had quite a bad accident.
It's rather a small car.
I've just met rather a nice man.