Indefinite Determiners
In this lesson, master indefinite determiners, which provide information about non-specific nouns. Clear explanations and practice exercises to help you learn.
What Are Indefinite Determiners?
Indefinite determiners indicate that a noun refers to something non-specific, unidentified, or unknown in quantity or identity. They contrast with definite determiners which point to something specific or already known to the speaker and listener.
Indefinite Determiners: Types
Indefinite determiners are categorized into six groups:
Distributive Determiners
Distributive indefinite determiners refers to unidentified members of a group. These include 'each' and 'every.'
Each
'Each' comes before a singular noun to refer to all members of a group individually. For example:
Each student is required to submit an essay at the end of the semester.
I greeted each gust as they entered.
Every
'Every' also refers to all members of a group, but unlike 'each' it refers to the group as a whole rather than individually. Take a look at the examples:
Every student was given an assignment.
Every parent should know this.
Some
In its most common usage, 'some' refers to an unspecified quantify. In this usage, it can only modify ucountable and plural countable nouns and is used in affirmative contexts. For example:
There are some books on the table.
with plural countable noun
There's some sugar left in the container.
with uncountable noun
Additionally, 'some' can refer to a portion of a larger whole. In this case, 'some' refers to not all of something, but just a part of it. In this sense, it can modify all nouns and be used in both affirmative and non-affirmative contexts.Here's an example:
Some people were not happy with the ending of the show.
I don't like some Chinese dishes, but others are fantastic.
A less common usage of 'some' modifies an indefinite singular countable noun to refer to an unknown person or thing. In this case, it is typically interchangeable with the indefinite article 'a/an.' For example:
By some miracle, they were not hurt.
Some day I will leave this place and never look back.
Any
'Any' commonly refers to an unspecified and unknown entity. In this case, it is only used in non-affirmative contexts, that is, in questions and negative sentences. For example:
Do you have any milk?
I don't have any friends.
Another common usage of 'any' is called the free choice, where it indicates that no specific quality or restriction is considered for the noun that follows it. In this case, it can be used in both affirmative and non-affirmative contexts. Look at the examples:
You can choose any book you like.
Will you accept any job that is available?
Disjunctive Determiners
'Either' and 'neither' are called disjunctive determiners. They both refer to sets of two people or things, but are used in different contexts.
Either
'Either' is like 'any' in that it has a non-affirmative and a free choice usage. But it is different in that it specifically refers to two entities. Look at the examples:
I didn't like either option.
non-affirmative use
You can buy either car. They cost the same.
free choice use
Neither
'Neither' is the counterpart of 'either' in affirmative sentences. It is itself a negative marker and expresses absence or lack of the noun it modifies. Accordingly, the verb of the sentence must remain affirmative. For example:
Neither book suits the purpose of my research.
I agree with neither candidate.
Negative Determiner
'No' is commonly used as a determiner before a noun to show a complete lack or absence of that entity. It can be used with singular and plural as well as uncountable nouns. Look at the examples:
There's no hope.
uncountable noun
She has no friends in this city.
plural noun
I have no idea.
singular noun
Alternative-Additive Determiner
The alternative-additive determiner 'another' is formed by adding the indefinite article 'an' to the adjective 'other.' As a result, it typically comes before singular nouns. As the title suggests, 'another' has an alternative and an additive sense. In other words, it can introduce a second, different option as well as implying one more item of the same kind. Take a look at the examples:
Can I have another cup of coffee please?
additional
If plan A fails, we'll need another strategy.
alternative
Quantifiers
Quantifiers like 'many,' 'much,' 'few,' 'little,' etc. refer to an unspecified quantity or amount. Unlike most other determiners, these have comparative and superlative forms: 'more,' 'most,' 'less,' least.' While 'many' and 'few' modify plural countable nouns, 'much' and 'little' are exclusive to uncountable nouns. Look at the examples:
Many students struggle with this concept.
We don't have much time.
Few people understand quantum physics.
There's little hope of finding survivors.
Warning!
Unlike the other indefinite determiners which are central determiners, quantifiers are post-determiners which can follow articles, possessive determiners, and demonstrative determiners.
Review
Indefinite determiners modify nouns and show that they are unspecified or unknown, unlike definite determiners like 'this,' 'my,' or 'the' which specify and identify the noun they modify. We have categorized them into six categories:
distributive determiners: each, every
existential determiners: some, any
disjunctive determiners: either, neither
negative determiner: no
alternative-additive determiner: another
quantifiers: many, much, little, few
Quiz:
Which sentence correctly uses a distributive determiner?
Some student must bring their own laptop.
Any students must bring their own laptop.
Every student must bring their own laptop.
Each students must bring their own laptop.
Which sentence uses the negative determiner "no" incorrectly?
There are no apples left.
She has no idea about the plan.
No the students arrived on time.
I have no time for this.
Fill the table by choosing the type of indefinite determiner used in each sentence.
Neither answer was correct. | |
Can I have another piece of cake? | |
Each participant received a certificate. | |
There are no tickets left. | |
Would you like some coffee? |
Match each incomplete sentence with the correct ending.
Fill in the blanks with the correct indefinite determiner from parentheses.
student must bring their own laptop to class. (Some/Many/Every)
Do you have
questions about the assignment? (each/either/any)
She has
patience left for rude customers. (no/neither/another)
We have
time left—just five minutes! (few/many/little)
Would you like
slice of cake? (much/another/some)
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