Determiners are words which come before nouns. They contain several classes of words, including pronouns and adjectives. They determine or limit the noun by giving some additional information about it. Determiners show whether a noun refers to is a general or a specific object, person, or place. They indicate which or how many things the noun refers to. Determiners define or limit a noun to the singular or plural. They indicate the amount or quantity. Determiners and nouns together make noun phrases. They make noun phrases with adjectives too. Determiners may precede numerals too.
This grammar section explains English Grammar in a clear and simple way. There are example sentences to show how the language is used. Students can also read NCERT Solutions for Class 11 English to get good marks in CBSE Board Exams.
Determiners Exercises for Class 11 CBSE With Answers
Determiners do not describe a noun; they determine or point it out. Look at these:
- the child
- every boy
- some politicians
- his picture
- my house
- those trees
- no politician
- some people
The words in bold letters are determiners.
♦ Some Important Distinctions
Adjectives and Determiners:
An adjective is used to limit the application of a noun by describing it-by giving information about the size, colour, age and other qualities such as:
big cat, black dog, old man
A determiner is used to limit the application of a noun without describing it. We don’t know anything about the quality of the noun, such as this table, my room, many houses
I. Study the noun phrases and identify the words that belong to the class of adjectives and those that belong to the class of determiners. List them as two groups below.
- beautiful garden
- several towns
- think notebooks
- your house
- wonderful roads
- Every Girl
- fantastic buildings
- fresh milk
- many buses
- some sugar
- that book
- blue sky
- those pencils
- old chair
- red rose
- all men
- tall trees
- each boy
- delicious food
- no work
- any bag
- those pens
- his bicycle
- green lawns
- hot tea
- new car
- happy men
- fast pitches
- much water
- her doll
♦ Kinds of Determiners:
These classes of words make up determiners:
- Articles (a, an, the)
- Demonstratives (this, that, these, those)
- Possessives (my, our, your, his, her, its, their)
- Distributives (either, neither, each, every)
- Determiners of quantity and number (some, any, much, several, little, less, enough, no)
This class also includes – first, second, etc., many, either, neither, few, fewer. - Interrogatives (what, which, whose, etc.)
Examples:
- Malabar is a beautiful region.
- Some students missed their class.
- Our children are well mannered.
- All winners of the awards were present?
- This book is too old.
1. Use of Articles:
A, AN
- A and An are used before countable nouns in the singular number, e.g. a question, an answer. A and An are used before a noun to show that it is not specific.
- A is used before consonant sounds, e.g. a boy, a house, a chair, a man, etc.
- A is used if a word is spelt with a vowel but has a consonant sound, a unit, a university. Here ‘u’ has the consonant sound of ‘y’.
- A is used in the following expressions:
a pity, a pleasure, a rage, a toothache, a noise, at a loss, a loud voice, a headache, a shame, in a hurry, a bad cold, a nuisance, etc. - An is used before a vowel sound, e.g. an eel, an elephant, etc.
- An is also used if the word is spelt with a consonant but has a vowel sound, e.g. an hour, an honourable man.
THE
1. The can be used with both countable and uncountable nouns.
It is used to show that the noun is specific, e.g. The first railway line in India was laid in Maharashtra. The phone is out of order.
The information I need is available on the net.
2. The is used with a noun that has already been mentioned,
e.g. I am looking for a student, (not specific)
This is the student I was looking for. (specific)
3. The is also used when a noun is preceded by a superlative adjective-the longest day.
4. The is used for nouns which are common to all people, e.g. the earth, the sun, the moon, the sky.
5. The is useci with uncountable nouns if indicating specifics, e.g. the water is clean, the milk has gone sour.
If an unspecific meaning is indicated, the is not used, e.g. Water is an important component of our food.
6. The is used when we refer to whole group of people-the Indians, the good, the bad.
7. The is used before mountain ranges, rivers, canals, oceans, deserts, holy books, etc e.g. the Bible, the Himalayas, the Ganges, the Pacific Ocean.
8. The is used before the names of newspapers, government departments, museums, libraries, e.g. the Ministry of Health, The Times of India.
9. The is not used before the names of persons, continents, cities, holidays, days of the week, months, subjects of study, etc. We cannot say the Obama, the Asia, the New Delhi, the February, etc.
10. No articles are needed with the names of diseases, names of meals, languages, names of days, etc.
e.g. It is wrong to say the malaria, the dinner,The Wednesday, etc.
II. Fill in the blanks using suitable determiners:
(a) (A/An/The) man went for
(b) (a/an/the) holiday to a place near
(c) (a/an/the) sea. He spent
(d) (every/all/some) his days watching the waves crash against the shore.
Answer:
(a) A
(b) a
(c) the
(d) all
2. Use of Demonstratives:
Demonstratives are pronouns which point out to something. However, when they are followed by nouns, they act as determiners.
this, that
these, those
Notice the difference in their use as pronouns and determiners.
e.g. I want this, (pronoun)
I want this book, (determiner because ‘this’ is followed by a noun.)
‘this’ and ‘that’ are singular,
e.g. this house, this card, that school, that child
‘these’ and ‘those’ are plural.
e.g. these children, these posters, those parents, those buildings.
III. Identify the demonstrative pronouns and the demonstrative determiners in the following sentences. Write against each sentence whether the underlined word is a pronoun (P) or a determiner (D).
- These are my cousins.
- I want only that and nothing else.
- Those birds are from Siberia.
- This is a dirty old trick.
- All these children are participating in the activity.
- I need these articles urgently.
Answer:
- These are my cousins. (P)
- I want only that and nothing else. (P)
- Those birds are from Siberia. (D)
- This is a dirty old trick. (P)
- All these children are participating in the activity. (D)
- I need these articles urgently. (D)
3. Use of Possessives:
Possessives are pronouns which indicate that a thing belongs to someone: mine, ours, yours, his, hers, its, theirs
e.g. This is mine and that is yours.
However, if the possessives are followed by nouns, they are possessive determiners,
e.g. his face, her smile, their happiness, my child, our house, your blessings
IV. Identify the possessive pronouns and the possessive determiners in the following sentences. Write against each sentence whether the underlined word is a pronoun (P) or a determiner (D).
- This book is his, not mine.
- My son is coming today.
- These flowers are ours.
- Those fruits are yours.
- His brother is going to the United States.
- Her smile is radiant.
Answer:
- This book is his, not mine. (P)
- My son is coming today. (D)
- These flowers are ours. (P)
- Those fruits are yours. (P)
- His brother is going to the USA. (D)
- Her smile is radiant. (D)
4. Use of Distributives:
Each, Every, All
Each and Every indicate single units in a group. Each refers to individual members of a small group, while every to members of a large group. Sometimes both each and every can be used, e.g. Each of his five brothers was learned.
Every Indian must vote.
Every/Each one was given aid.
All is used to indicate the whole group rather than its components, e.g. All the students of class XI A have passed.
2. Study the three sentences given below showing the use of each, every and all.
Children need proper education to become good citizens.
Each child needs proper education to become a good citizen.
Every child needs proper education to become a good citizen.
All children need proper education to become good citizens.
V. Write three sentences for each given sentence using distributive determiners as shown above. Pay particular attention to the desired focus.
(i) Questions should be answered.
(a) …………………………………………………………………..
(b) …………………………………………………………………..
(c) ……………………………………………………………………
(ii) Members must be graduates.
(a) …………………………………………………………………..
(b) …………………………………………………………………..
(c) ……………………………………………………………………
(iii) Villages must be connected by road.
(a) …………………………………………………………………..
(b) …………………………………………………………………..
(c) ……………………………………………………………………
(iv) Indian games deserve patronage.
(a) …………………………………………………………………..
(b) …………………………………………………………………..
(c) ……………………………………………………………………
Answer:
(i) (a) Each question should be answered.
(b) Every question should be answered.
(c) All questions should be answered.
(ii) (a) Each member must be a graduate.
(b) Every member must be a graduate.
(c) All members should be graduates.
(iii) (a) Each village must be connected by road.
(b) Every village must be connected by road.
(c) All villages must be connected by road.
(iv) (a) Each Indian game deserves patronage.
(b) Every Indian game deserves patronage.
(c) All Indian games deserve patronage.
Either, Neither
Either has two meanings:
(a) any one of the two different things or persons, e.g. You can choose either course.
(b) both – Prefects were lined up on either side of the entrance.
Neither is the opposite of either. It means not the one nor the other, e.g. Neither politician knew what he was promising.
VI. Fill in the blanks using ‘either’ or ‘neither’.
- either
- neither
- Neither
- either
- either
- Neither
5. Use Of Determiners of Quantity:
Many, Much, Some, Any
Many is used only with plural nouns and to show a large number.
Much is used with uncountable nouns indicating a large quantity.
FEW, A FEW, THE FEW
Few means very small numbers, not enough and below expectation. A few indicates some numbers. The few indicates very small specific numbers, e.g.
Few students are interested in learning languages.
A few students are good at English.
The few students who are good usually come from educated families.
VII. Write two sentences for each given sentence using determiners of quantity as shown above. Pay particular attention to the desired meaning. One has been done for you.
(i) Boys were able to speak good English.
(+) A few boys were able to speak good English.
(-) Few boys were able to speak good English.
(ii) My friends are good orators.
(+) ……………………………………………………………………
(-) …………………………………………………………………….
(iii) People are conscious of their duties.
(+) ……………………………………………………………………
(-) …………………………………………………………………….
(iv) Questions were asked after the lecture.
(+) ……………………………………………………………………
(-) …………………………………………………………………….
(v) Shopkeepers responded to the bandh call.
(+) ……………………………………………………………………
(-) …………………………………………………………………….
Answer:
(ii) (+)A few of my friends are good orators.
(-) Few of my friends are good orators.
(iii) (+) A few people are conscious of their duties.
(-) Few people are conscious of their duties.
(iv) (+) A few questions were asked after the lecture.
(-) Few questions were asked after the lecture.
(v) (+) A few shopkeepers responded to the bandh call.
(-) Few shopkeepers responded to the bandh call.
Little, A Little
Look at these two sentences.
We had little rain this year.
We had a little rain this year.
Little is used when the speaker wants to convey the meaning ‘not enough or below expectation’. Little expresses a negative meaning.
A little is used when the speaker wants to convey the meaning ‘a small amount but not much’. A little expresses a positive meaning.
VIII. Now, write two sentences for each given sentence as shown in the above examples. Pay particular attention to the desired meaning. One has been done for you.
(i) The aid reached the victims.
(+) A little aid reached the victims.
(-) Little aid reached the victims.
(ii) Work could be done in the project.
(+) …………………………………………………….
(-) ……………………………………………………..
(iii) Progress has been made under the poverty alleviation programme.
(+) ………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………..
(-) ………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………..
(iv) Improvement is visible in the working of the railways.
(+) ………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………..
(-) ………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………..
(v) Enthusiasm was shown by the masses.
(+) ………………………………………………………………….
(-) ………………………………………………………………….
Answer:
(ii) (+) A little work could be done in the project.
(-) Little work could be done in the project.
(iii) (+) A little progress has been made under the poverty alleviation programme.
(-) Little progress has been made under the poverty alleviation programme.
(iv) (+) A little improvement is visible in the working of the railways.
(-) Little improvement is visible in the working of the railways.
(v) (+) A little enthusiasm was shown by the masses.
(-) Little enthusiasm was shown by the masses.
SOME, ANY
Some and Any show not a very large quantity.
Some is used in affirmative sentences, e.g. There is some water in the pitcher.
Any is used in interrogative or negative sentences, e.g. Is there any water in the pitcher?
There isn’t any water in the pitcher.
Now, look at these sentences.
- He hasn’t got any roses in his garden.
- There isn’t any milk left in the jug.
Any is used in negative statements with countable plural nouns like roses and with uncountable nouns like milk.
Now, look at these sentences.
- There were scarcely any spectators in the stadium.
- There is hardly any sugar left in the pot.
Any is also used in positive statements which have words like scarcely and hardly because they express an underlying negative idea.
Look at these sentences.
• I have bought some stamps in case you need them.
• There is still some milk left in the jug.
Some is used in positive statements with countable plural nouns like stamps and with uncountable , nouns like milk.
IX. Now, fill in the blanks in the following sentences with ‘some’ or ‘any’ as needed.
- Our players missed very good chances of scoring.
- The country mustn’t tolerate anti-national activity.
- There isn’t sense in our waiting here.
- We must do serious thinking about it.
- There is hardly hope of his recovery.
Answer:
- some
- any
- any
- some
- any
Now, look at these sentences:
- Do you own any land in this area?
- Have you got any money?
Any is also used in general questions which are intended for getting information.
Now, look at these sentences:
- Could you do some typing for me?
- Would you like to have some more biscuits?
Some is also used in questions but only in those questions which suggest offers or requests.
X. Now, make questions using the given phrases and then answer them using ‘some’ and ‘any’. Pay attention to the desired meaning in the answer. One has been done for you.
(i) letters for me.
Are there any letters for me?
+ Yes, there are some letters for you.
– No, there aren’t any letters for you.
(ii) express buses for that town.
………………………………………………………………….
(+) ……………………………………………………
(-) …………………………………………………….
(iii) jobs that women can’t do.
……………………………………………………………………
(+) ……………………………………………………
(-) …………………………………………………….
(iv) evidence that the system works.
……………………………………………………………………
(+) ……………………………………………………
(-) …………………………………………………….
Answer:
(ii) Are there any express buses for that town?
(+) Yes, there are some express buses for that town.
(-) No, there aren’t any express buses for that town.
(iii) Are there any jobs that women can’t do?
(+) Yes, there are some jobs that women can’t do.
(-) No, there aren’t any jobs that women can’t do.
(iv) Is there any evidence that the system works?
(+) Yes, there is some evidence that the system works.
(-) No, there isn’t any evidence that the system works.
XI. Now, make a question using each of the given word groups to serve as offers or requests. The first one has been done for you.
Answer:
- May I bring some of my friends with me?
- Would you like to have some more fruit?
- Would you like to see some recent publications?
6. Use of Interrogatives
Determiners that are used for framing questions are called interrogatives. ‘What’, ‘which’, ‘whose’, ‘how much’, ‘how many’ are interrogative determiners.
| whose house, which city, how many rulers, how much water, what money |
XII. Fill in the blanks by using suitable interrogatives.
- In …………….. book do we find the character Quasimodo?
- To ……………. notes are you referring?
- ……………….. baskets are meant for fruits?
- ………………. names have you given to the twins?
- ………………. students are there in the zonal football team?
- ………………… flour is needed to make a cake for ten people?
- ………………. books did you read during the summer vacation?
- ……………….. bat is heavier, Sachin’s or M.S. Dhoni’s?
Answer:
- which
- whose
- Which
- What
- How many
- How much
- Which
- Whose
XIII. In the passage given below, one word has been omitted in each line. Write the missing word along with the word that comes before and the word that comes after against the correct blank number. Underline the word that forms your answer.
1. Being primary school teacher
in god-forsaken interiors of Odisha
is not easy job for Hrydaynath
Panda. Salary is ridiculously
low; drop-out rate is abnormally
high and Belgaon Asram school’s
infrastructure abysmal. There are only couple
of rooms and classes have to be held in open.
Answer:
Question 2.
As always, Government is trying
to make situation look less grim.
“We have requested Centre for financial
help and stone will be left unturned
to mitigate people’s problems,”
says senior minister. Free
kitchens will be started in blocks
in affected areas.
Answer:
XIV. Fill in the blanks with suitable determiners.
Two friends meet in their school canteen. They are going to have their lunch.
Namit: You can share (a) ………….. lunch and I’ll share yours.
Vipul: Oh, that’ll bejiice. I’ll have (b) …………. good things to eat.
Namit: I’m afraid. I don’t have much to eat. There are only two sandwiches and (c) ………….. apple. Here’s your sandwich. And you can take half (d) ………….. apple.
Vipul: Thanks. They look delicious. I have four poories and some pickles.
We can have two poories each. And we will order for (e) ……………………. drink. What would you
like, tea or coffee?
Namit: I’ll have tea.
Vipul: So shall I.
Answer:
(a) my
(b) some
(c) an
(d) the
(e) a
XV. Fill in the blanks with suitable determiners.
(a) ……………….. abbreviation is (b) ……………… shortened form of (c) ……………… word or a group of words.
It is used to save time and space. (d) ………………… abbreviations are also used while speaking. Most of
(ie) dictionaries include (f) ……………. list of commonly used abbreviations.
Answer:
(a) An
(b) the
(c) a
(d) Some
(e) the
(f) a
XVI. Complete the passage using determiners.
We only take (a) ……………… few seconds to pass through (b) ……………. earth’s atmosphere which is hardly thicker than (c) ……………. skin of (d) ………………. plum or (e) ……………… peach. As we pass through, we gradually leave behind particles of air, dust which scatter (f) …………….. sun’s light and
make the sky look blue.
Answer:
(a) a
(b) the
(c) the
(d) a
(e) a
(f) the
XVII. Complete the passage with suitable determiners.
My friend lived on (a) ……………. the first floor of (b) ……………. recently renovated old house on (c) ………….. river Beas. She was afraid of burglars and always locked up (d) ……………… house carefully before going to bed. She also took the precaution of looking under (e) …………….. bed to see if (f) …………….. burglar was hiding there.
Answer:
(a) the
(b) a
(c) the
(d) the
(e) the
(f) any
XVIII. Complete the following passage with suitable determiners.
I have met (a) ……………. people in my life but (b) …………… person who has influenced me (c) ………….. most is Mother Teresa. To me she has been (d) ……………. symbol of true religion, (e) people can do what she has done. If we adopt (f) …………….. ideology, the world would become a better place to live in.
Answer:
(a) many
(b) the
(c) the
(d) a
(e) Few
(f) her
XIX. Fill in the blanks with determiners.
(a) ………………. entire polling station seemed to be (b) ……………….. huge mass of humanity. It was (c) ……………….. public holiday, (d) …………….. old man insisted on talking to (e) ……………… polling officer. He refused to show (f) ……………… identity slip.
Answer:
(a) The
(b) a
(c) a
(e) the
(f) his
XX. Complete the following passage with suitable determiners.
Our principal is (a) …………… man of honesty and integrity. He does not accept (b) ……………. gifts from students, teachers or parents. On (c) ………………. occasion of (d) …………….. Children’s Day, he rewarded (e) …………….. students for (f) ……………….. honesty.
Answer:
(a) a
(b) any
(c) the
(d) the
(e) many
(f) their
XXI. Fill in the blanks with suitable determiners.
You’re going to take life away from (a) …………….. man with (b) …………… belief that you will give it
back. This is (c) ………………. enormous step, (d) …………….. precious life is at stake. You must perform to
the best of (e) …………… ability to save (f) ………………. the patient’s life.
Answer:
(a) a
(b) the
(c) an
(d) A
(e) your
(f) the
XXII. Fill in the blanks with suitable determiners.
John Boyd Dunlop did not have (a) ……………. sturdy health which (b) ……………… farmer requires. So his parents let him study for (c) ………………. another profession. Therefore, he chose veterinary medicine and took (d) ………………. diploma in it from Edinburgh.
Answer:
(a) the
(b) a
(c) some
(d) a
XXIII. Fill in the blanks using determiners.
(a) Doubt was not (i) ………….. new emotion. It was (ii) ……………. oldest enemy. Yet I had not expected it to come this way. I had become accustomed to (iii) ……………… presence in (iv) ………….. being.
(b) There are (i) …………… broken chairs in (ii) …………….. corner of (iii) …………….. room.
(c) There is (i) ……………… egg on this plate.
Answer:
(a) (i) a
(ii ) my
(iii) its
(iv) my
(b) (i) some
(ii) the
(iii) this
(c) (i) an