Articles and Determiners

Articles & Determiners

Articles and Determiners are words placed before nouns to indicate whether we are referring to something specific or general, singular or plural, countable or uncountable, known or unknown, or to express quantity, number, possession, distribution or limitation.

Examples:

• a book
• an apple
• the sun
• some water
• many students
• each candidate
• my pen
• those houses

An article is a type of determiner.

English has three articles:

• A
• An
• The

They are divided into:

• Indefinite Articles
  
  • A
  • An
• Definite Article
  
  • The

Determiners form a wider category and include words such as:

• some
• any
• much
• many
• few
• little
• each
• every
• either
• neither
• this
• that
• my
• your
• all
• both
• several
• enough

A clear understanding of articles and determiners is essential because they are frequently tested in error detection, sentence correction, fill in the blanks, cloze tests and sentence improvement.

A, An and The

Indefinite Articles — A and An

A and An are called Indefinite Articles because they normally refer to a person or thing not specifically identified.

Examples:

• I saw a man outside.
• She bought an umbrella.

The speaker does not specify exactly which man or umbrella is meant.

They are generally used before singular countable nouns.

Correct:

• a boy
• a car
• an apple
• an engineer

Incorrect:

• a water ✘
• an information ✘
• a books ✘

Use of A

Use A before a word beginning with a consonant sound.

Examples:

• a boy
• a girl
• a teacher
• a car
• a university
• a European
• a useful book
• a one-eyed man

The important rule is:

Article choice depends on sound, not merely spelling.

For example:

• university begins with the vowel letter u, but the sound is /juː/.
  
  • Therefore → a university
• European begins with a /j/ sound.
  
  • Therefore → a European
• useful begins with /juː/.
  
  • Therefore → a useful book
• one begins with a /w/ sound.
  
  • Therefore → a one-rupee coin

Use of An

Use An before a word beginning with a vowel sound.

Examples:

• an apple
• an orange
• an umbrella
• an elephant
• an engineer

It is also used when a word begins with a consonant letter but has a vowel sound.

Examples:

• an hour
• an honest man
• an honour
• an heir

Why?

The initial h is silent.

Therefore:

• hour → begins with vowel sound → an hour
• honest → begins with vowel sound → an honest person

A/An with Abbreviations

The same sound rule applies to abbreviations.

Examples:

• an MBA graduate
• an MP
• an MLA
• an FIR
• an SOS

But:

• a UPSC aspirant
• a UN official in pronunciations beginning with /juː/

The article depends on how the abbreviation is pronounced.

A/An with Occupations

Use a/an before singular professions and occupations.

Examples:

• She is a doctor.
• He is an engineer.
• Rahul wants to become an IAS officer.
• My brother is a teacher.

Incorrect:

She is doctor. ✘

Correct:

She is a doctor. ✔

A/An to Mean “One”

A/An may have the meaning of one.

Examples:

• I need a pen.
• He bought a car.
• She gave me an apple.

A/An to Mean “Any One Member of a Class”

A/An can represent a whole class in a general sense.

Example:

A dog is a faithful animal.

Meaning:

Any dog / dogs as a class are faithful animals.

Similarly:

A teacher should be patient.

A/An in Expressions of Rate

Use a/an in expressions meaning per.

Examples:

• ₹100 a day
• twice a week
• 60 kilometres an hour
• three times a month

Here:

a = per

A/An before Certain Numbers and Quantities

Examples:

• a hundred
• a thousand
• a million
• a dozen
• half a dozen

Examples in sentences:

• Nearly a hundred students attended.
• He bought a dozen eggs.

A/An with “What” and “Such”

Examples:

• What a beautiful day!
• What an interesting idea!
• He is such a kind person.
• It was such an unusual event.

A/An after Quite and Rather

With a singular countable noun, common structures include:

• quite a difficult question
• rather a strange situation

Examples:

• It was quite a difficult examination.
• That was rather an unusual answer.

A/An with Adjective + Singular Countable Noun

When an adjective comes before a singular countable noun, the article normally comes before the adjective.

Examples:

• a beautiful girl
• an intelligent student
• a difficult problem
• an old house

Structure:

A/An + Adjective + Singular Countable Noun

The — Definite Article

The is called the Definite Article because it generally refers to a specific or already known person, place or thing.

Example:

I saw a dog. The dog was barking.

First mention:

• a dog
  
  • not yet identified

Second mention:

• the dog
  
  • now specific and already known

The with Something Already Mentioned

Example:

• I bought a book yesterday.
• The book is very useful.

The with a Particular Person or Thing

Examples:

• Please close the door.
• Where is the principal?
• Bring me the file on the table.

The listener can identify the particular thing being referred to.

The with Unique Things

Use the before things considered unique.

Examples:

• the sun
• the moon
• the earth
• the sky
• the universe

Examples:

• The sun rises in the east.
• The earth revolves around the sun.

The with Superlative Degree

Use the before superlative adjectives.

Examples:

• the tallest boy
• the best student
• the most beautiful place
• the highest mountain

Example:

Everest is the highest mountain in the world.

The with Ordinal Numbers

Use the before ordinal numbers.

Examples:

• the first
• the second
• the third
• the tenth

Example:

He won the first prize.

The with “Only”

Use the before only when it means the sole one.

Examples:

• He is the only son of his parents.
• This is the only solution.

The with a Whole Class of People

The + adjective may represent an entire group or class.

Examples:

• the rich
• the poor
• the blind
• the elderly
• the unemployed

These generally take a plural verb.

Example:

The poor need support.

Not:

The poor needs support. ✘

The with Musical Instruments

Traditionally, the is used with musical instruments after verbs such as play.

Examples:

• She plays the piano.
• He plays the guitar.
• Rahul plays the violin.

The with Rivers, Seas and Oceans

Use the before:

• rivers
• seas
• oceans
• canals

Examples:

• the Ganga
• the Brahmaputra
• the Nile
• the Arabian Sea
• the Mediterranean Sea
• the Indian Ocean
• the Pacific Ocean
• the Suez Canal

The with Mountain Ranges

Use the before ranges of mountains.

Examples:

• the Himalayas
• the Alps
• the Andes

But individual peaks usually take no article:

• Mount Everest
• Kanchenjunga

The with Groups of Islands

Examples:

• the Andaman and Nicobar Islands
• the Maldives
• the Philippines

Individual islands generally take no article unless their conventional name includes one.

The with Deserts

Examples:

• the Sahara
• the Thar Desert
• the Gobi Desert

The with Certain Countries

Most country names do not take the.

Examples:

• India
• China
• Japan
• France

But the is commonly used with:

• plural country names
• names containing words such as Kingdom, States, Republic, Emirates

Examples:

• the United States
• the United Kingdom
• the United Arab Emirates
• the Netherlands

The with Newspapers and Certain Institutions

Examples:

• The Hindu
• The Times
• The Indian Express

The use depends on the official or conventional name.

The with Famous Buildings and Monuments

Examples:

• the Taj Mahal
• the Red Fort
• the Qutub Minar

The with Directions

Use the when directions refer to a region or geographical area.

Examples:

• the East
• the West
• the North
• the South

Example:

The north of India experiences colder winters.

But no article is usually required in expressions of direction:

We travelled north.

The with Families

The + plural surname can refer to an entire family.

Example:

The Sharmas live next door.

Meaning:

The Sharma family.

The + Comparative, The + Comparative

Use the in the structure:

the + comparative, the + comparative

Examples:

• The more you practise, the better you become.
• The sooner, the better.
• The harder you work, the greater your chances of success.

Here, the forms part of a special comparative construction.

The with Comparative When Two Are Compared

When choosing one from two, the comparative may take the.

Example:

Riya is the taller of the two sisters.

Omission of Articles

In many situations, no article is required before a noun. This is sometimes called the Zero Article.

Before Proper Names

Usually do not use an article before names of persons.

Correct:

• Rahul lives in Delhi.
• Riya is my friend.

Incorrect:

• The Rahul lives in Delhi. ✘

Before Most Countries, Cities and States

Examples:

• India
• Japan
• Assam
• Delhi
• Guwahati

Examples:

India is a diverse country.

Guwahati is in Assam.

Before Languages

No article is normally used before names of languages.

Examples:

• English
• Hindi
• Assamese
• French

Correct:

She speaks English.

Not:

She speaks the English. ✘ in the ordinary sense of the language

Before Subjects of Study

Examples:

• Mathematics
• History
• Geography
• Economics
• Physics

Example:

Geography is an interesting subject.

Before Meals

Normally omit the article before names of meals used generally.

Examples:

• breakfast
• lunch
• dinner

Correct:

We had breakfast at 8 a.m.

However, an article may be used when the meal is specified.

Example:

The dinner served at the wedding was excellent.

or

We had a delicious dinner.

Before Games and Sports

Examples:

• cricket
• football
• hockey
• tennis
• chess

Correct:

He plays cricket.

Incorrect:

He plays the cricket. ✘

Before Abstract Nouns Used Generally

Examples:

• honesty
• freedom
• wisdom
• beauty
• courage

Correct:

Honesty is a virtue.

But when an abstract noun becomes specific, the may be used.

Example:

The honesty of the officer impressed everyone.

Before Material Nouns Used Generally

Examples:

• gold
• silver
• water
• milk
• iron

Correct:

Gold is expensive.

But:

The gold used in this ring is very pure.

Here, gold is specific.

Before Plural Countable Nouns Used Generally

Example:

Books are useful.

This means books in general.

But:

The books on the table are mine.

Here, specific books are meant.

Before Bed, School, College, Hospital, Prison, Church etc. in Primary Institutional Use

When certain places are used for their normal or primary purpose, the article may be omitted.

Examples:

• go to school
• be at school
• go to bed
• be in prison
• go to church

Examples:

The child goes to school every day.

Meaning:

He goes there to study.

Compare:

I went to the school to meet the principal.

Here, the school is treated as a particular building.

Similarly:

He is in prison.

Meaning:

He is there as a prisoner.

His mother went to the prison to meet him.

Meaning:

She visited the specific building.

Before Home

Normally:

• go home
• come home
• reach home

Not:

• go to the home ✘ in the ordinary meaning of one’s home

Examples:

I am going home.

She reached home late.

Some, Any, Much, Many

These determiners are commonly used to express indefinite quantity or number.

Some

Some can be used with:

• plural countable nouns
• uncountable nouns

Examples:

• some books
• some students
• some water
• some money

It is commonly used in affirmative sentences.

Examples:

• I have some books.
• She bought some rice.
• We need some information.

Some in Questions

Although some is common in affirmative sentences, it can also be used in questions when:

• making an offer
• making a request
• expecting a positive answer

Examples:

• Would you like some tea?
• Can I have some water?
• Could you lend me some money?

Any

Any can be used with:

• plural countable nouns
• uncountable nouns

It is frequently used in:

• negative sentences
• interrogative sentences

Examples:

• I do not have any money.
• She did not buy any books.
• Do you have any questions?
• Is there any water?

Any in Affirmative Sentences

In affirmative sentences, any can mean:

no matter which / whichever

Example:

You may choose any book you like.

Meaning:

Whichever book you like.

Some vs Any

• Some
  
  • generally affirmative
  • offers and requests
• Any
  
  • generally negative and interrogative
  • affirmative when meaning no matter which

Examples:

• I have some friends here.
• I do not have any friends here.
• Do you have any friends here?
• Would you like some coffee?

Much

Much is used with uncountable nouns.

Examples:

• much water
• much money
• much information
• much time

It is especially common in negative and interrogative sentences.

Examples:

• I do not have much time.
• Is there much water left?
• She does not have much money.

In ordinary affirmative sentences, expressions such as a lot of are often more natural.

Instead of:

I have much work.

More natural:

I have a lot of work.

Many

Many is used with plural countable nouns.

Examples:

• many students
• many books
• many questions
• many people

Examples:

• Many students attended the class.
• How many books do you have?
• Not many people knew the answer.

Much vs Many

• Much + Uncountable Noun
  
  • much water
  • much information
• Many + Plural Countable Noun
  
  • many books
  • many students

Incorrect:

many information ✘

Correct:

much information ✔

Incorrect:

much students ✘

Correct:

many students ✔

Too Much and Too Many

• Too much → uncountable
• Too many → countable plural

Examples:

• too much sugar
• too much traffic
• too many books
• too many students

So Much and So Many

Examples:

• so much work
• so much noise
• so many people
• so many questions

How Much and How Many

Use:

• How much → quantity/uncountable
• How many → number/countable

Examples:

• How much money do you need?
• How many students are present?

Few, A Few, The Few

These expressions are used with plural countable nouns, but their meanings differ significantly.

Few

Few means:

hardly any / almost none

It has a negative meaning.

Example:

Few students passed the examination.

Meaning:

Almost no students passed.

Another example:

He has few friends.

Meaning:

He has hardly any friends.

A Few

A few means:

some, though not many

It has a positive meaning.

Example:

A few students passed the examination.

Meaning:

Some students passed.

Compare:

• Few students passed.
  
  • almost none
• A few students passed.
  
  • some did

The Few

The few means:

whatever small number exists / all of the small number

Example:

The few friends he has are very loyal.

Meaning:

He does not have many friends, but all the friends he has are loyal.

Another example:

The few students who attended the class received extra notes.

Difference at a Glance

• Few
  
  • hardly any
  • negative sense
• A few
  
  • some
  • positive sense
• The few
  
  • whatever small number exists
  • refers to the entire limited group

Quite a Few

Quite a few has a surprising meaning.

It does not mean very few.

It means:

a fairly large number

Example:

Quite a few students attended the seminar.

Meaning:

A considerable number attended.

Little, A Little, The Little

These expressions are used mainly with uncountable nouns.

Little

Little means:

hardly any / almost no

It has a negative sense.

Example:

There is little hope of recovery.

Meaning:

There is almost no hope.

Another example:

He has little money.

Meaning:

He has hardly any money.

A Little

A little means:

some amount, though not much

It has a positive meaning.

Example:

There is a little hope of recovery.

Meaning:

Some hope still exists.

Another example:

I have a little money.

Meaning:

I have some money.

The Little

The little means:

whatever small amount exists / all of the small amount

Example:

He spent the little money he had.

Meaning:

He spent all the small amount of money available to him.

Another example:

The little time we had was used wisely.

Difference at a Glance

• Little
  
  • hardly any
  • negative meaning
• A little
  
  • some
  • positive meaning
• The little
  
  • whatever small amount exists

Very Little

Very little means an extremely small amount.

Example:

There is very little water left.

Only a Little

Only a little emphasises limitation.

Example:

Only a little time remains.

Each, Every, Either, Neither

These determiners refer to individuals within a group and are especially important for subject–verb agreement.

Each

Each refers to members individually, one by one.

It may be used for two or more persons or things.

Examples:

• Each student received a certificate.
• Each candidate has an admit card.
• Each book costs ₹500.

Structure:

Each + Singular Countable Noun + Singular Verb

Example:

Each student has a notebook.

Not:

Each students have a notebook. ✘

Each of

Use:

Each of + the/these/those/possessive + plural noun/pronoun

Examples:

• Each of the students has arrived.
• Each of these books is useful.
• Each of them was invited.

Although the noun after of is plural, each remains singular in traditional grammatical agreement.

Every

Every refers to all members of a group individually but with emphasis on the whole group.

Examples:

• Every student must attend.
• Every room has a window.
• Every candidate was given a form.

Structure:

Every + Singular Countable Noun + Singular Verb

Correct:

Every student is ready.

Incorrect:

Every students are ready. ✘

Each vs Every

Both generally take:

• singular noun
• singular verb

But there is a difference in emphasis.

Each

• focuses more strongly on individuals separately
• can be used for two or more

Every

• considers all members individually but collectively in thought
• is normally used for groups of three or more

Examples:

Each of the two boys received a prize.

Every student in the class received a prize.

Every + Number + Plural Noun

A useful structure is:

every + number + plural noun

Examples:

• every two days
• every three weeks
• every five kilometres

Example:

The bus arrives every twenty minutes.

Either

Either traditionally means:

one or the other of two

Examples:

• You may choose either book.
• Either road will take you there.
• Either answer is acceptable.

Structure:

Either + Singular Countable Noun + Singular Verb

Example:

Either option is suitable.

Either of

Structure:

Either of + plural noun/pronoun

Example:

Either of the two books is useful.

In traditional formal grammar, the verb is generally singular.

Neither

Neither means:

not one and not the other of two

Examples:

• Neither answer is correct.
• Neither candidate was selected.
• Neither road is safe.

Structure:

Neither + Singular Countable Noun + Singular Verb

Neither of

Example:

Neither of the students was absent.

Traditional formal grammar uses a singular verb after neither of.

Either…Or

This correlative structure presents alternatives.

Example:

Either Rahul or Mohan will attend.

When the subjects differ in number, the verb traditionally agrees with the nearer subject.

Examples:

• Either the teacher or the students are responsible.
• Either the students or the teacher is responsible.

Neither…Nor

This structure connects two negative alternatives.

Examples:

• Neither Rahul nor Mohan is present.
• Neither the teacher nor the students are ready.
• Neither the students nor the teacher is ready.

Again, in traditional formal grammar, the verb generally agrees with the nearer subject.

Other Important Determiners

Determiners include several other important groups beyond the ones already discussed.

This, That, These and Those

These are Demonstrative Determiners when used before nouns.

• this → singular, near
• that → singular, distant
• these → plural, near
• those → plural, distant

Examples:

• this book
• that building
• these students
• those mountains

Agreement must be correct.

Incorrect:

This books are mine. ✘

Correct:

These books are mine. ✔

My, Our, Your, His, Her, Its and Their

These are Possessive Determiners.

Examples:

• my book
• our school
• your bag
• his car
• her pen
• its colour
• their house

They come before nouns.

Compare:

• This is my book.
• This book is mine.

My is a determiner; mine is a pronoun.

All

All can be used with plural countable nouns and uncountable nouns.

Examples:

• all students
• all books
• all water
• all information

Examples:

All students were present.

All the water has been used.

All vs Whole

Whole is commonly used with singular countable nouns.

Examples:

• the whole day
• the whole book
• the whole country

Compare:

• all the students
• the whole class
• all the day is uncommon in ordinary usage
• the whole day is natural

Both

Both refers to two persons or things together.

Examples:

• Both students passed.
• Both answers are correct.
• Both books are useful.

Structure:

Both + Plural Noun + Plural Verb

Correct:

Both boys are ready.

Not:

Both boys is ready. ✘

Both…And

Examples:

Both Rahul and Mohan are present.

She is both intelligent and hardworking.

The structure should remain parallel.

No

No can be used before both countable and uncountable nouns.

Examples:

• no student
• no students
• no money
• no information

Examples:

No student was absent.

There is no water left.

None

None functions as a pronoun rather than directly modifying a noun in the same way as no.

Examples:

• None of the students was/were absent.
• None of the money was recovered.

With countable plural nouns, both singular and plural verb agreement can occur depending on style and meaning, though plural is common in contemporary usage.

Several

Several is used with plural countable nouns.

Examples:

• several students
• several books
• several attempts

Example:

Several candidates were selected.

It means more than two but not necessarily very many.

Enough

Enough means as much or as many as necessary.

With nouns, it normally comes before the noun.

Examples:

• enough money
• enough food
• enough students
• enough time

Examples:

We have enough time.

There are enough chairs for everyone.

With adjectives and adverbs, however, enough normally comes after them.

Examples:

• tall enough
• strong enough
• quickly enough

Compare:

• enough money
• rich enough

Most

Most without the generally means the majority of.

Examples:

• Most students passed.
• Most people agreed.
• Most water on Earth is saline.

The most is generally used in the superlative sense.

Example:

She is the most intelligent student in the class.

Compare:

• Most students passed. → majority
• She answered the most questions. → greatest number
• She is the most intelligent student. → superlative

More

More can be used with:

• plural countable nouns
• uncountable nouns

Examples:

• more books
• more students
• more water
• more money

Fewer and Less

In formal grammar:

• Fewer → plural countable nouns
• Less → uncountable nouns

Examples:

• fewer students
• fewer mistakes
• less water
• less money

Incorrect in traditional exam grammar:

Less students attended. ✘

Correct:

Fewer students attended. ✔

Another

Another generally means:

one more / an additional / a different one

It is normally followed by a singular countable noun.

Examples:

• another book
• another student
• another chance

Example:

Give me another opportunity.

It can also be followed by a number plus plural noun:

• another two days
• another five students

Other

Other can be used with plural countable nouns and uncountable nouns.

Examples:

• other books
• other students
• other information

The Other

The other means the remaining one of two or the specific remaining person/thing.

Example:

I have two pens. One is blue and the other is black.

Others

Others functions independently as a pronoun.

Example:

Some students passed; others failed.

Do not say:

others students ✘

Use:

other students ✔

The Others

The others means the remaining members of a specific group.

Example:

Five students arrived early; the others came later.

Another, Other and Others at a Glance

• another + singular noun
  
  • another book
• other + plural/uncountable noun
  
  • other books
  • other information
• the other + singular noun
  
  • the other boy
• others
  
  • stands alone
  • Some stayed; others left.
• the others
  
  • remaining members of a known group

Such

Such means of this/that kind.

Structures:

such + a/an + adjective + singular countable noun

Example:

She is such an intelligent girl.

But:

such + adjective + plural/uncountable noun

Examples:

• such difficult questions
• such beautiful scenery

Compare:

• such a beautiful place
• such beautiful places

What

In exclamations:

What + a/an + adjective + singular countable noun

Examples:

• What a beautiful day!
• What an interesting book!

For plural or uncountable nouns:

• What beautiful flowers!
• What terrible weather!

Many a

Many a has a plural meaning but is followed by a singular noun and singular verb.

Example:

Many a student has failed because of carelessness.

Meaning:

Many students have failed.

Structure:

Many a + Singular Noun + Singular Verb

This construction is frequently tested in competitive examinations.

A Great Many

A great many means a large number and is used with plural countable nouns.

Example:

A great many students attended the programme.

A Good Deal of / A Great Deal of

These are used with uncountable nouns.

Examples:

• a great deal of money
• a good deal of time
• a great deal of information

Plenty of

Plenty of can be used with both countable and uncountable nouns.

Examples:

• plenty of books
• plenty of students
• plenty of water
• plenty of time

A Lot of / Lots of

These can be used with both:

• plural countable nouns
• uncountable nouns

Examples:

• a lot of students
• lots of books
• a lot of money
• lots of water

Common Errors with Articles and Determiners

• Incorrect:
  
  • He is an university student. ✘
  • Correct:
    
    • He is a university student. ✔
  • Reason:
    
    • university begins with the consonant sound /j/.
• Incorrect:
  
  • He waited for a hour. ✘
  • Correct:
    
    • He waited for an hour. ✔
  • Reason:
    
    • hour begins with a vowel sound.
• Incorrect:
  
  • She is teacher. ✘
  • Correct:
    
    • She is a teacher. ✔
• Incorrect:
  
  • The India is a diverse country. ✘
  • Correct:
    
    • India is a diverse country. ✔
• Incorrect:
  
  • He plays the cricket. ✘
  • Correct:
    
    • He plays cricket. ✔
• Incorrect:
  
  • She gave me an advice. ✘
  • Correct:
    
    • She gave me some advice. ✔
    • She gave me a piece of advice. ✔
• Incorrect:
  
  • I have much books. ✘
  • Correct:
    
    • I have many books. ✔
• Incorrect:
  
  • There are many water in the tank. ✘
  • Correct:
    
    • There is much water in the tank. ✔
• Incorrect:
  
  • He has a few money. ✘
  • Correct:
    
    • He has a little money. ✔
• Incorrect:
  
  • Each students have a notebook. ✘
  • Correct:
    
    • Each student has a notebook. ✔
• Incorrect:
  
  • Every boys are ready. ✘
  • Correct:
    
    • Every boy is ready. ✔
• Incorrect:
  
  • Neither answers are correct. ✘
  • Correct:
    
    • Neither answer is correct. ✔
• Incorrect:
  
  • Both student is present. ✘
  • Correct:
    
    • Both students are present. ✔
• Incorrect:
  
  • Give me an other book. ✘
  • Correct:
    
    • Give me another book. ✔
• Incorrect:
  
  • Some students remained; other left. ✘
  • Correct:
    
    • Some students remained; others left. ✔
• Incorrect:
  
  • I have two brothers. One is a doctor and another is an engineer. ✘ in a two-person contrast
  • Correct:
    
    • One is a doctor and the other is an engineer. ✔

Revision Table

Most Important Rules to Remember

• A/An depends on sound, not spelling.
  
  • a university
  • a European
  • an hour
  • an honest man
• A/An is generally used only with a singular countable noun.
  
  • a book
  • an apple
• Use the when the noun is specific, unique or already known.
• No article is generally used before:
  
  • names of persons
  • most countries
  • cities
  • languages
  • subjects
  • games
  • meals used generally
  • abstract/material nouns used generally
• Some
  
  • usually affirmative
  • also offers and requests
• Any
  
  • commonly negative/interrogative
  • can mean whichever
• Much
  
  • uncountable nouns
• Many
  
  • plural countable nouns
• Few
  
  • hardly any
  • negative meaning
• A few
  
  • some
  • positive meaning
• The few
  
  • whatever small number exists
• Little
  
  • hardly any
  • negative meaning
• A little
  
  • some
  • positive meaning
• The little
  
  • whatever small amount exists
• Each, every, either and neither are generally followed by a singular noun and take a singular verb in traditional formal grammar.
• Both takes a plural noun and plural verb.
• Remember:
  
  • another book
  • other books
  • the other book
  • others
  • the others
• Many a + singular noun + singular verb
  
  • Many a student has failed.

Mastering articles and determiners is essential because even a very small word such as a, an, the, some, any, few or little can completely change the grammatical correctness and meaning of a sentence.