DETERMINERS

What do they involve?

• Determiners include a, an and other words
which come before nouns. Here is a list of
common determiners excluding articles:
A lot of/ lots of Enough Every
All Few Little/ a little of
Another Some Other
any Many More
both Most Much
each Neither None/ none of
either Other Several
All/ all of/ another
• All/ all of
• The complete amount, the whole number or
amount of, every one of (is used with
countable and uncountable nouns)
!!! We use all of (not all) before pronouns:
All of them.
He had spent all (of) his life bottling lemon
juice.
Another/ any
• Another means “an additional person or thing”
(is used only with singular countable nouns)
We need another chair.
• Any is used for quantities which may not or do
not exist (in negative sentences and questions):
I don’t have any money. Do you have any money
on you?
• Is also used when it doesn’t matter which one:
We can go to any restaurant you like.
Both/ both of
• Is used to talk about two people or things
together:
Both (of) her parents are doctors.
• In the expression both… and to emphasize that
something is true for one thing and another:
He has lived in both Britain and America.
!!! We use both of (not both) before pronouns.
Both is always plural:
Both these books are mine.
Each / each of
• every single one of two or more things or
people (considered separately)
• Each is always followed by a singular noun,
but each of – by a plural noun or pronoun
and a singular verb:
Jane had a blister on each foot.
Each of the children was given a present.
Each child was given a present.
Either…(or)
• One or the other of two things or people:
You can have either the blue one or that one
over there.
!!! We use either of (not either) before
pronouns.
Either of them.
We follow either with a singular noun.
Either bag will be suitable.
Every
• Each one of the group of things or people
Every student has to fill in a questionnaire.
• To emphasize that you are talking about the
whole of something
I enjoyed every minute of the film. (the whole
film)
• To indicate that something happens at
regular intervals of time or distance
Richard visits his mother every week.
A few/ a few of/ few/ few of
• A few= a small number of; enough (with
plural countable nouns)
I’ve read a few of her works.
Few = not many/ not enough (with plural
countable nouns)
Unfortunately, there are few jobs available at
present.
Few of the customers complained.
A little/ a little of/ little
A little/ a little of = a small amount
(uncountable nouns)
I told him a little about it.
Little = not much (uncountable nouns), not
enough
Unfortunately, by then we had little money
left.
A lot of/ lots of/ loads of
Means a large number/ amount of
Are used both with countable and
uncountable nouns.
Loads of is a bit less formal
There were a lot of / lots of/ loads of people at
the party.
Many/ many of
• A large number of people or things
(countable nouns)
Many / many of is more formal than a lot of.

Many is very often used in negatives and

questions:
Many people find this kind of movie
unpleasant.
Much / much of
• A lot of (with uncountable nouns)
• Used especially in negative sentences and
questions
There isn’t much time – pack the bag quickly.
Do you get much chance to travel in your job?
Most / most of
• Nearly all
• We use most of, not most, before pronouns
Most universities offer a wide range of
courses.
Most of them offer a wide range of courses.
Most of the people there were strangers.
Neither…nor
• Not one or other of two people or things
(with positive verbs)
Neither parent cares what happened to the
child.
!!! We use neither of not neither before
pronouns
We follow neither with a singular noun.
None of/ other
• None of means “not any of three or more things or
people”:
None of my friends phone me any more.
Other is used to talk about people or things in addition
to those already known:
You’ve already met Peter but I have two other brothers.
!!! We can use others of the others on its own without
a noun:
The others are waiting in the office.
Several of/ several / some /
some of
• Several = some, but not large quantity
Milk will keep for several days in the fridge.
!!! We use several of, not several before pronouns.
Some = not many or much ( in affirmative
sentences); when we expect the answer yes/ no in
questions; a large amount of something with
certain uncountable nouns:
There are some people waiting outside.
Would you like some orange juice?
It will be some time before bridge is finished.