DETERMINERS

Determiners are words such as this, those, my, their, which. They are special adjectives that are used before nouns.

THE ARTICLES:

The words “a, an and the” belong to this group of words called determiners. The words a and an are called indefinite articles. You can use them with singular nouns to talk about any single person or thing.

Can you hear a bird singing?

This is a picture of an elephant.

Rudy is reading a book.

Mom bought me a new dress today.

You will need an umbrella when you go out.

She eats an apple a day.

Do you wear a uniform to school?

The article an is usually used before words beginning with vowels. The  article a is used before words beginning with consonants. The word the is called the definite article. Use the before a noun when you are talking about a certain person or thing.

The telephone is ringing.

Where’s the cat?

I think she is under the bed.

Tom has won the race.

The ice is melting.

You also use the before a noun when there is only one. For example:

the sun

the moon

the sky

the front door of my house

DEMONSTRATIVE DETERMINERS

The words this, that, these and those are determiners. They are used to tell which thing or person you mean. These words are called demonstrative determiners, or demonstrative adjectives.

I am keeping these books.

I am selling those books.

James lives in this house.

This ice cream is delicious.

How much is that racket?

What is that animal?

Bring me that ball.

Would you like these apples?

NOTE

You use this and these to point to people or things near you. You use that and those to point to people or things that are farther from you. You use this and that before singular nouns. You use these and those before plural nouns.

Here’s a table to help you remember the rules:

Singular Plural

this - these

that – those

INTERROGATIVE DETERMINERS

Use the words what, which and whose before nouns to ask about people or things. These words are called interrogative determiners or interrogative adjectives.

What size do you wear?

What kind of bird is that?

What time is it?

What color is her hair?

What kind of clothes do you like to wear?

Which school do you go to?

Which doll is your favorite?

Which road leads to the zoo?

Which runner is the winner?

Do you know which girl won the prize?

Whose footprints are these?

Whose baby is this?

Whose dog was barking in the middle of the night?

POSSESSIVE DETERMINERS

The words my, your, his, her, its, our, there are called possessive determiners or possessive adjectives. Use these words before nouns to say who something belongs to.

I lent Margaret my guitar.

The dentist asked

his patient to open

her mouth.

Is this your house?

Robert, your handwriting is difficult to read.

Michael is showing his tortoise to his friends.

My sister lost her way in the city.

The lion is chasing its prey.

NOTE:

Here is a table to help you remember the possessive determiners.

Singular Plural

First person: my - our

Second person: your - your

Third person: his – their, her – their, its - their