Commentaries and explanations

2.1.1. Determiners and pre-determiners: definitions and specifications.

 

Determiners form a closed set of words whose function is (1) to determine, (2) classify, or (3) limit a following noun:

 

e.g. What’s the nature of the problem? (1)

You made a common mistake. People like you are most prone to such errors. (2)

I don’t think I’ve ever heard of the book. What is its title? (3)

 

Put simply, determiners are “the little words that go with nouns to identify them in some way, to indicate where they are, or how many of them there are, or whether they are being referred to in a specific way or a general one” (H. Ritchie).

According to H. Ritchie, “you may not be familiar with the term but don’t be put off by it“.

Determiners are used all the time. Unfortunately, not always unfailingly correctly.

As we know determiners usually come before a noun or at the beginning of a noun phrase. That is, some of them stand before any pre-modifiers (such as adjectives, participles or nouns – See) in that phrase: the whole subject, a remote possibility, some definite acceptable solution, your own developed skills, these familiar names, what subject(s), which option, whose idea. This type of determiners is sometimes called central determiners. As shown in the given examples, they are articles (a, the), demonstratives (this, these, that, those), possessives (my, your, our etc.), some quantifiers (some, any, no), wh -words (what, which, whose). Central determiners are considered the most important.

There are other determiners, though, that stand before a central determiner. They show quantity, amount, multiplicity or intensity and are sometimes called quantifiers, multipliers and intensifiers accordingly.

Some quantifiers (all, both, half, either) as well as multipliers (once, twice, double) or intensifiers (such, what) come, when present, before central determiners: all your life, all the time, all the way, both hands, both John’s parents, both (the) sides, both research and business, half (of) my time, half (of) my friends (are), half a mile, half an hour, once a week, once every two months, double the number, double the amount, such a day, such nonsense. As this kind of words come before central determinersthey also have one more name - pre-determiners. This name is especially relevant when there are various words before the noun in a noun phrase as in examples (1) – (3):

 

Do we have to answer all the questions? (1)

If there were any other way of saying it, I’d say, believe me.

None of their humor is wanted. (2)

Can you reproduce any of the examples given? (3)

 

Study additional examples:

 

We solve problems all our life.

Certain things happen all the time.

I don’t need so much sugar. Half (of) the amount is enough.

Half (of) my time I am busy talking to people.

Half (of) my friends now live abroad.

 

BUT: We are to meet in half an hour.

The place is only half a mile away. (measurement and quantity)

 

In such a situation such behavior is not acceptable.

My colleagues are such nice people.

What a day!

What nice people they are!

 

double = twice as much, twice as many (as a pre-determiner)

The value of the picture is double what it was.

There are only two computers in the lab now. We need double this number for the project.

 

But not when double is an adjective: a double meaning, the double trouble.

 

Many words have a double meaning.

The new entry form is very complicated. It gives you double trouble.

 

2.1. 2. Most important limitations on how to use determiners: count nouns singular, count nouns plural, non-count nouns.

 

1. We use determiners according to the type of a noun that affects our choice. There are three of them in this regard: count nouns singular (like problem), count nouns plural (like problems) and non-count nouns (like likelihood). Table 1 below lists the most common determiners indicating which noun classes we use them with.

 

Table 1

 

 

Determiners	Count singular	Count plural	Non-count	Examples
a/an; one	░			An acceptable solution now seems a long way off. Flynn is an English author. You cab get an MS after your first degree. Conferences are one way of meeting new people.
the	░	░	░	Could you tell me the way to the station? The news on the front pages of newspapers is usually important.
no article		░	░	Your colleague is pretty forthcoming, in his own way. It is good that you could see the error of your ways. (You realized that you had been behaving badly and decided to stop). Tell me your news.
all possessives like my, your, our etc.	░	░	░	There are different theories about how basic physical processes operate in the solar corona. In this chapter we will consider the definition of relevance.
this, that (demonstratives)	░		░	This book concentrates solely on grammar. Where will you be this time next year? I like this music. That text is certainly better. In that case we are going to refuse.
these, those (demonstratives)		░		Everyone is so busy these days. Today those achievements are recounted by science textbooks.
what, which, whose (refers back to people or things)	░	░	░	What journals do you read? What references or alternate texts can be used for a more traditional course on math? What good is it for me? Which way is the main campus? Which people have any influence in these circles? Whose idea is that? Whose names are mentioned? It’s an action whose purpose is rather dim.
some, any, no	░	░	░	There must be some reason for the refusal. Every time a non-standard speaker uses any non-standard grammar, they are, to whatever extent, downgraded. Did they show any interest in your research? – No, they showed no interest at all. .
every	░	░		They read every page of the contract carefully (thinking of the pages together in the contract, closer to all). The exam is given every year. Also: She seems to remember every single phone number. (Used to emphasize all). Also for time and distance: Elections are held every five years. (time intervals) The phone rang every few minutes. (time intervals) I had to stop at traffic lights every two hundred meters. (distance intervals)
each (of) (in positive sentences only, see none)	░			Each page of the contract is to be read carefully (thinking of the pages separately, one at a time). The exam is given each year. I remember that he had papers in each hand. They are each invited.
either, one or the other of two people or things	░			There are two courses on English offered – you can take either. Either (English) course lasts two months. We are most interested in either grammar or lexis. There are coffee machines at either end of the corridor. Accept or refuse it – you can act either way.
either of		░		Sandy does not like either of her math teachers. Either of her teachers is not / are not tolerant. I read both the books and didn’t like either of the stories very much. (in a negative statement)
neither, not one or the other of two people or things	░			Shall we arrange our meeting on Monday or Wednesday? – Sorry, neither day is acceptable. Neither of the two projects proposed is / are adequate to the ultimate goal.
neither of		░		My colleague and I work together but neither of us was /were in the lab yesterday.
none of (before a determiner)		░	░	None of my colleagues is interested. (formal) None of my colleagues are interested. (informal) None of the information is valid.
all (three or more persons or things) with nouns and pronouns	░	░	░	We are busy all day. (determiner) All (of) our students are busy. (pre-determiner) We are busy all the time. (pre-determiner) All scientists debate. (determiner)
both		░		Both large classrooms are occupied. For both these reasons we are to accept. You can’t have both ways.
half (of)	░	░	░	Half (of) the deposit on the house may get lost in line with inflation before you pay the rest. Only half (of) the money is properly deposited. Half (of) the participants arrive a few days before the conference starts.
half (measurement and quantity)	░	░		Let’s meet in half an hour. The place is not far from here. Half a mile, perhaps. It will take us half a day to get there. Half measures never work. She waited a full half-second and then spoke.
few (shows the smallness of a number, not many, not enough)		░		There were surprisingly few questions asked after the lecture. The rule is very strict. There few exceptions to it if any. We must make the best of the few facts available. Few people understand those complicated theories. Responsible people are few and far between, you know.*
fewer		░		We have fewer classes on Friday than we do on other days. It was a big conference with no fewer than one thousand participants attending. (no fewer that = at least)
the fewest		░		The report with the fewest discrepancies in it is the best, isn’t it? Who made the fewest remarks during the discussion?
a few (a small number, but at least some)		░		Although the rule is generally observed there are a few exceptions to it. George left the company and went freelance a few years ago.
more		░	░	I have no more questions. There are a few more things to discuss now. We need two more days to complete the report.
little (shows the smallness of the amount, not much, not enough)			░	There is little double in my mind that the grant will be terminated. We have little hope of our ideas being supported. Sorry, I’ve got little time and can’t talk now.
a little (a small amount, but at least some)			░	I’ve got a little time to think the matter over. A little more assurance at the meeting will do you good.
less (a smaller amount, not too much) See Notes.			░	Less money is to be spent on unhealthy food. Less noise in the room is makes you less tired at the end of the day. During the term students normally have less time for fun.
least			░	This is the least support we can give for the project. Do the least work at least!
such	░	░	░	This is such a good idea. Scientists often debate the choice between successive theories. The parties to such debates see certain situations differently. I’ve never heard such nonsense!
double	░	░	░	How could they get married! He is double her age. The alternative plan will cost double this amount. Everybody will want double their salaries.
another	░	░ numbers, a few		There will be another train in a few minutes. This is another point on which my opponent and I do not see eye to eye. We need to wait another two days for the result. They are going to stay here for another few days. There’s still another 50 dollars to pay.
other	░	░		There are a few other determiners that do not fit into any specific group. The opinion of other people never interested him in the slightest degree. The other people in the room did not take notice of what was happening. You can use my other computer – I’ve got two of them. Russia is bigger that any other country in the world. I’m sure he will slip from class on some pretext or other.*

 

Notes.

 

1) In informal English many people now use less and least with plurals:

* Now that the university computer system is improved there will be less documentation problems than before.

This is still considered to be incorrect. “ Fewer problems ” is a form more acceptable to academic communication..

 

2.1.3. Determiners order.

 

Determiners have different positions relative to one another. That is, we do not use them in random order. Here are some examples:

 

e.g. 1) All (of) our actions affect other people.

All these six pages have many mistakes.

All people need stability.

All the people you want to talk to are here.

2) Both thinking and doing are important to the solution of a problem.

Both (of) these approaches are valid.

3) What evidence is necessary to support your theory?

What kind of evidence is necessary?

Which approach would you take up?

4) Each issue is to be discussed.

Each of the issues is to be discussed.

Each individual has a chance to implement their ideas.

5) None of the information is to be lost.

None of the attempts was / were successful. (a singular verb in to be used in formalwriting)

6) Such weather is most depressing for me!

Such a nice day!

We know what we must do in such a situation.

7) I’ve been waiting for a while, another ten minutes won’t kill me.

Two more minutes, please!

 

Table 2

 

Pre-determiner (when present)	Central determiner + pre-modifier (when present) + noun modified
All (of)	our thoughtless actions	affect other people.
All	these six pages	have many mistakes.
All	people	need stability.
All	the people	… are here.
Both (of)	these approaches	are valid.
	Which approach	would you take up?
	What evidence	is necessary …?
	What kind of evidence	is necessary …?
	Which approach	would you take up?
Each	issue	is to be discussed.
Each of	the issues	is to be discussed.
None of	their claims	are /is adequate.
None of	the information	is to be lost.
Such	a nice day.