Indefinite Determiners 

In this lesson, master indefinite determiners, which provide information about non-specific nouns. Clear explanations and practice exercises to help you learn.

Indefinite Determiners in English Grammar

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:

1.

distributive

2.

existential

3.

disjunctive

4.

negative

5.

alternative-additive

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:

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:

Example

Every student was given an assignment.

Every parent should know this.

Existential Determiners

Existential determiners refer to an unknown or unspecified set and include some and any. Each of them is used in specific contexts.

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:

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:

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:

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:

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:

Example

You can choose any book you like.

Will you accept any job that is available?

ThumbnailPhoto

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:

Example

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:

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:

Example

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:

Example

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:

Example

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:

1.

distributive determiners: each, every

2.

existential determiners: some, any

3.

disjunctive determiners: either, neither

4.

negative determiner: no

5.

alternative-additive determiner: another

6.

quantifiers: many, much, little, few

Quiz:


1.

Which sentence uses a distributive indefinite determiner correctly?

A

Every students must submit the form.

B

Each participant received a certificate.

C

Every water was spilled.

D

Each children need proper nutrition.

2.

Choose the correct sentence with an existential indefinite determiner.

A

Do you have some doubts?

B

I don't have some money.

C

She wants any help with her project.

D

There aren't any seats available.

3.

Fill the table by choosing the type of indefinite determiner used in each sentence.

Each participant received a gift.

Do you have any money?

Neither option seems perfect.

We have no information yet.

Can I have another cookie?

Distributive
Existential
Disjunctive
Negative
Alternative-Additive
4.

Complete each sentence with the correct determiner from parentheses.

employee must wear their ID badge at work. (Any/Every/Another)

There are

cookies left in the jar. (no/each/either)

If this key doesn't work, try

one. (any/many/another)

You can choose

color you prefer. (some/any/much)

5.

Match each incomplete sentence with the correct ending.

We don't have any
I don't like either
There are no
Every
milk left.
child deserves love.
option.
exceptions to this rule.

Comments

(0)
Loading Recaptcha...
LanGeek
Download LanGeek app