Determiners — Class 7 English Grammar

💡 1. What are Determiners?

A determiner is a word placed before a noun to introduce it. Determiners tell us which one, how many, or whose the noun is. They always come at the beginning of a noun phrase.

👉 Key Definition

Determiners always come before a noun (or before an adjective + noun).
They make the meaning of a noun specific or general.
A noun phrase can have only one determiner at a time.
Examples: the book, my pen, this bag, three cats, some water.

🧑 Determiner vs Adjective — Important Difference!

Adjective: She has beautiful eyes. → "beautiful" describes the eyes.
Determiner: She has these eyes. → "these" introduces / identifies the eyes.
Adjectives describe; determiners introduce. Both come before nouns, but they serve different jobs.

🆕 7 Types of Determiners — Quick Overview

Every determiner belongs to one of these seven types:

1. Articles 2. Demonstrative 3. Possessive 4. Quantifiers 5. Numerals 6. Distributive 7. Interrogative

📑 2. Articles — A, An, The

Articles are the most common determiners. They tell us whether we are talking about something specific (the) or general (a / an).

Article	Type	Used Before	Examples
a	Indefinite	Singular nouns beginning with a consonant sound	a dog, a car, a university*
an	Indefinite	Singular nouns beginning with a vowel sound	an apple, an hour*, an egg
the	Definite	Any noun when both speaker and listener know which one	the sun, the book I gave you

🎉

⚡ Sound Rule — not spelling!

Use "a" or "an" based on the sound of the next word — not its spelling.
"a university" ✔ (starts with yoo sound) | "an hour" ✔ (starts with ow sound — h is silent)

📚 When to use "the"

When mentioned for the second time: I saw a dog. The dog was barking.
When there is only one in the world: the sun, the moon, the sky
With superlatives: the best student
With names of rivers, seas, mountain ranges: the Ganga, the Himalayas
With musical instruments: She plays the sitar.

❌ Zero Article — No Article at All!

Before plural nouns used in a general sense: Dogs are loyal.
Before uncountable nouns in general sense: Water is essential.
Before proper nouns: Rahul is my friend. (not the Rahul)
Before languages, games, meals: She speaks Hindi. We play cricket. Breakfast is ready.

👉 3. Demonstrative Determiners

Demonstrative determiners point to specific nouns and tell us whether they are near or far, and whether they are singular or plural.

Determiner	Number	Distance	Example
this	Singular	Near (close to speaker)	This book is mine.
that	Singular	Far (away from speaker)	That building is tall.
these	Plural	Near (close to speaker)	These mangoes are sweet.
those	Plural	Far (away from speaker)	Those birds are eagles.

👉

This / These = HERE | That / Those = THERE

Think of it as pointing: this/these = you can touch it right now. that/those = it's at a distance. Singular needs is; plural needs are.

📝 Demonstrative Determiner vs Demonstrative Pronoun

Determiner: This pen is red. → "this" is followed by a noun (pen).
Pronoun: This is red. → "this" stands alone; no noun after it.
Key rule: If "this/that/these/those" is followed by a noun → it is a determiner. If it stands alone → it is a pronoun.

👤 4. Possessive Determiners

Possessive determiners show ownership or belonging. They answer the question: "Whose?"

Person	Determiner	Example
1st person singular	my	my bag, my friend
2nd person	your	your book, your idea
3rd person singular (male)	his	his car, his name
3rd person singular (female)	her	her dress, her smile
3rd person singular (thing/animal)	its	its tail, its colour
1st person plural	our	our school, our team
3rd person plural	their	their house, their plan

🔑

its vs it's — A Very Common Mistake!

its = possessive determiner → The cat licked its paw.
it's = short for "it is" → It's a lovely day.
If you can replace it with "it is" — use it's. If not — use its.

✅ Possessive Determiner vs Possessive Pronoun

Determiner: This is my pen. → "my" is followed by a noun.
Pronoun: This pen is mine. → "mine" stands alone (mine/yours/his/hers/ours/theirs).
Remember: my/your/his/her/its/our/their → always before a noun → determiners.

📜 5. Quantifiers

Quantifiers tell us about the quantity (how much / how many) of a noun. Some quantifiers are used with countable nouns, some with uncountable nouns, and some with both.

Quantifier	Used with	Example
many	Countable nouns only	many books, many students
few / a few	Countable nouns only	few apples, a few friends
much	Uncountable nouns only	much water, much time
little / a little	Uncountable nouns only	little milk, a little sugar
some	Both (positive sentences)	some rice, some books
any	Both (questions & negatives)	any milk? / no any books
all	Both	all students, all water
enough	Both	enough time, enough chairs
several	Countable nouns only	several reasons, several days
no	Both	no money, no students

💬

few vs a few | little vs a little

few / little (without "a") = negative meaning → almost none, not enough
→ She has few friends. (unfortunately not many)

a few / a little (with "a") = positive meaning → some, not many but enough
→ She has a few friends. (she has some, which is good)

🔑 some vs any

Use some in positive / affirmative sentences: There is some milk in the fridge.
Use any in negative sentences: There isn't any milk.
Use any in questions: Is there any milk?
Use some in questions when offering or requesting: Would you like some tea?

🔢 6. Numeral Determiners

Numeral determiners tell us the exact number of something. They are of two types: Cardinal and Ordinal.

Type	Answers	Examples
Cardinal Numerals	How many? (exact count)	one, two, three, ten, hundred… I have three* pencils.*
Ordinal Numerals	In what order / position?	first, second, third, last, next… She came first* in the race.*

📚 More Examples

I read two books this week. (Cardinal — how many)
Take the second left after the park. (Ordinal — which order)
She is the first girl to finish. (Ordinal)
There are twelve months in a year. (Cardinal)

🔁 7. Distributive Determiners

Distributive determiners refer to individual members of a group, treating them one by one or as two alternatives. They are: each, every, either, neither.

Determiner	Meaning	Noun	Verb	Example
each	Every one individually (from 2 or more)	Singular	Singular	Each student has a book.
every	All members without exception (3 or more)	Singular	Singular	Every child needs love.
either	One or the other (of two)	Singular	Singular	Either road leads to town.
neither	Not one nor the other (of two)	Singular	Singular	Neither answer is correct.

📉

each / every / either / neither → always Singular!

All four distributive determiners take a singular noun and a singular verb.
✔ Each student has | ✔ Every player is
✘ Each students have (wrong!)

👉 each vs every — the difference

each → focuses on individuals, can be used for 2 or more: Each of the two girls got a prize.
every → focuses on the whole group, used for 3 or more: Every student in the class passed.
either → one of two choices: You can sit on either side.
neither → none of two: Neither team scored a goal.

❓ 8. Interrogative Determiners

Interrogative determiners are used to ask questions about nouns. They are: which, what, whose.

Determiner	Used to ask about	Example
which	Choice from a limited, known set	Which book do you want?
what	Open question — no specific set	What colour is your bag?
whose	Ownership / possession	Whose pen is this?

📚 More Examples

Which route should we take? (from known options)
What kind of music do you like? (open, no limit)
Whose umbrella is lying in the hallway? (asking about ownership)

🚨 9. Common Mistakes with Determiners

These are the mistakes students make most often — study them carefully!

I have many homeworks to complete.

✓ I have much homework to complete.

"homework" is uncountable → use much, not "many".

She has few sugar in her tea.

✓ She has little sugar in her tea.

"sugar" is uncountable → use little/a little, not "few".

Each students were given a prize.

✓ Each student was given a prize.

"each" takes a singular noun and singular verb.

I don't have some money.

✓ I don't have any money.

Use any in negative sentences, not "some".

The dog wagged it's tail.

✓ The dog wagged its tail.

its (possessive determiner) ≠ it's (it is). No apostrophe in the possessive.

He is a honest man.

✓ He is an honest man.

"honest" begins with a vowel sound (silent h) → use an.

Neither of them are ready.

✓ Neither of them is ready.

"neither" takes a singular verb.

These informations are wrong.

✓ This information is wrong.

"information" is uncountable → no plural. Use this (singular).

✍️ Exercises

📑 Exercise A — Fill in the correct Article (a / an / the / —)

1 She is reading interesting novel.

2 sun rises in the east.

3 He wants to become engineer.

4 Can you play guitar?

5 I waited for hour outside.

6 She speaks French very well.

7 Ganga is holy river.

8 This is university in Delhi.

👁️ View Answers — Exercise A

1an — "interesting" starts with a vowel sound.

2The — there is only one sun (unique).

3an — "engineer" starts with a vowel sound.

4the — musical instruments take "the".

5an — "hour" starts with vowel sound (h is silent).

6— (no article) — language names don't take articles.

7The / a — rivers take "the"; first mention of river = "a".

8a — "university" starts with consonant sound (yoo).

👉 Exercise B — Choose the correct Quantifier

1 There isn't milk left. (some / any)

2 I have friends who live nearby. (a few / a little)

3 She has patience. (much / many)

4 Would you like coffee? (some / any)

5 students passed the exam. (Every / Several)

6 He has money in his pocket. (few / little)

7 students in the class have a dictionary. (All / Every)

👁️ View Answers — Exercise B

1any — negative sentence → "any".

2a few — "friends" is countable; positive meaning.

3much — "patience" is uncountable.

4some — offering → use "some".

5Several — "several" with plural countable noun. ("Every" needs singular.)

6little — "money" is uncountable.

7All — "All" works with plural noun; "Every" needs singular "student".

👥 Exercise C — Fill in the blank with the correct Demonstrative or Possessive Determiner

1 are my favourite chocolates. (near, plural)

2 car over there belongs to the principal.

3 The bird flew back to nest.

4 shoes are too tight. Can I borrow yours?

5 days the weather is very hot. (near, plural)

6 Priya forgot lunchbox at home.

👁️ View Answers — Exercise C

1These — near + plural.

2That — far + singular.

3its — possessive, referring to the bird (no apostrophe).

4My — 1st person singular possessive.

5These — near + plural.

6her — 3rd person singular female possessive.

📚 Exercise D — Fill in the blanks in the passage with appropriate determiners

Choose from: the / a / an / some / every / this / their / few / which / both

___ morning, I walked to ___ old library near our school. ___ student must visit it at least once. Inside, I met ___ of my friends who were reading quietly. ___ book in the library is neatly arranged. I asked ___ librarian, "___ section has science books?" She pointed to ___ shelf at the corner. I found ___ interesting books there and borrowed ___ of them.

👁️ View Answers — Exercise D

1This

2an — "old" starts with a vowel sound.

3Every

4a few

5Every

6the

7Which

9some

10both

🎯 MCQ Quiz — Determiners

Choose the correct option for each question, then click Check Answers

📝 Questions & Answers

1 Mark Questions

Q1. What is a determiner? 1 Mark

A determiner is a word placed before a noun to introduce it. It tells us which one, how many, or whose the noun is. Example: the book, my pen, some water.

Q2. Name the two types of articles. 1 Mark

The two types of articles are:

Definite article — the
Indefinite article — a and an

Q3. When do we use "an" instead of "a"? 1 Mark

We use "an" before a word that begins with a vowel sound (a, e, i, o, u sound). Examples: an apple, an egg, an hour (h is silent), an umbrella.

Q4. Name the four demonstrative determiners. 1 Mark

The four demonstrative determiners are: this, that, these, those.
(this/these = near; that/those = far; this/that = singular; these/those = plural)

Q5. Name any four possessive determiners. 1 Mark

Any four of: my, your, his, her, its, our, their.
These show ownership and always appear before a noun.

Q6. What is the difference between "few" and "a few"? 1 Mark

few (without "a") = negative meaning — almost none, not enough.
Example: She has few friends. (Unfortunately, not many.)
a few (with "a") = positive meaning — some, though not many.
Example: She has a few friends. (She does have some.)

Q7. Name the four distributive determiners. 1 Mark

The four distributive determiners are: each, every, either, neither.
All four take a singular noun and a singular verb.

Q8. Name the three interrogative determiners. 1 Mark

The three interrogative determiners are: which, what, whose.
They are used before nouns to ask questions.

Q9. What is the difference between "much" and "many"? 1 Mark

many — used with countable nouns: many books, many students.
much — used with uncountable nouns: much water, much time.

Q10. What is a zero article? Give one example. 1 Mark

A zero article means no article is used before the noun. It is used with:

Uncountable/plural nouns in a general sense: Water is life.
Proper nouns: Priya is my sister.
Languages, games, meals: I play chess.

2 Mark Questions

Q11. Explain with examples: "some" is used in positive sentences while "any" is used in negative and interrogative sentences. 2 Marks

some is used in affirmative (positive) sentences:
→ There is some juice in the glass.
→ I have some money with me.

any is used in negative sentences:
→ I don't have any money.
any is also used in questions:
→ Is there any milk left?

Exception: When offering something, we use "some" even in a question:
→ Would you like some tea?

Q12. What is the difference between "each" and "every"? Give examples. 2 Marks

each focuses on individual members one by one and can refer to two or more:
→ Each student in the row stood up.
→ Each of the two players got a medal.

every focuses on the group as a whole and is used for three or more:
→ Every child deserves an education.
→ Every shop was closed on Sunday.

Both take a singular noun and singular verb.

Q13. Distinguish between demonstrative determiners and demonstrative pronouns with examples. 2 Marks

Demonstrative Determiner — used before a noun to point to it:
→ This book is very interesting. (this + noun)
→ These mangoes are sweet. (these + noun)

Demonstrative Pronoun — stands alone, replacing the noun:
→ This is very interesting. (no noun after it)
→ These are sweet. (standing alone)

Key rule: If this/that/these/those is followed by a noun → determiner. If it stands alone → pronoun.

Q14. Explain the use of "the" with four clear rules and examples. 2 Marks

Second mention: I saw a cat. The cat was black.
Unique things (only one in the world): The sun, the moon, the earth.
Musical instruments: She plays the violin.
Superlatives: He is the best player in the team.
Names of rivers, seas, mountain ranges: The Ganga, the Himalayas, the Pacific.

(Any 4 valid points accepted.)

Q15. What are quantifiers? Name five quantifiers and state whether each is used with countable or uncountable nouns. 2 Marks

Quantifiers are determiners that tell us how much or how many of a noun.

many	Countable only	many trees
much	Uncountable only	much rain
a few	Countable only	a few apples
a little	Uncountable only	a little water
some	Both	some books / some milk

Q16. Identify and name the type of determiner used in each sentence: (a) Those shoes are muddy. (b) Every child needs love. (c) Whose bag is on the desk? (d) I need a little rest. 2 Marks

(a) Those — Demonstrative determiner (far, plural)
(b) Every — Distributive determiner
(c) Whose — Interrogative determiner
(d) a little — Quantifier (used with uncountable noun "rest")

📚 Quick Revision — All 7 Types of Determiners

📑 Articles — a, an (indefinite) | the (definite) | zero article. Based on sound, not spelling.
👉 Demonstrative — this (near, singular), that (far, singular), these (near, plural), those (far, plural).
👤 Possessive — my, your, his, her, its, our, their. Show ownership. No noun → it becomes a pronoun (mine, yours…).
📜 Quantifiers — many/few/several (countable) | much/little (uncountable) | some/any/all/enough/no (both). some = positive; any = negative/questions.
🔢 Numerals — Cardinal (one, two, three… = how many) | Ordinal (first, second, third… = in what order).
🔁 Distributive — each, every, either, neither. All four → singular noun + singular verb.
❓ Interrogative — which (limited choice), what (open question), whose (ownership).
🚨 Key mistake: "its" (possessive) ≠ "it's" (it is). "few/little" (negative) ≠ "a few/a little" (positive). "much" for uncountable; "many" for countable.