| Content |
We cannot use all the determiners with all types of noun. We can use some determiners with any type of noun, but others must be followed by certain types of noun. Some determiners can only be used with a singular countable noun. These are: a/an another each either every neither one Would you like another glass of water?
Life gets more expensive every day.
A: Can we meet on the 15th or 16th? B: Sorry. Neither date is good for me. What about the 18th?
See also: Each
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/grammar/british-grammar/each Every
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/grammar/british-grammar/every Other
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/grammar/british-grammar/other-others-the-other-or-another#other-others-the-other-or-another__1
Much, (a) little, less and least can only be used with a singular uncountable noun: We didn’t get much snow last winter.
There is little information I can give you, I’m afraid.
We sometimes use less with plural nouns, but this is not always considered correct: There were less children there today than last year. (There were fewer children… is considered correct.)
See also: Much
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/grammar/british-grammar/much-a-lot-lots-a-good-deal-adverbs#much-a-lot-lots-a-good-deal-adverbs__1 Little, a little, few, a few
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/grammar/british-grammar/little-a-little-few-a-few Less or fewer?
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/grammar/british-grammar/less-or-fewer
We use this and that with singular countable or uncountable nouns, but not with plural nouns. This refers to something near the speaker; that refers to something further away: That film was fantastic. (countable)
This furniture is so ugly! (uncountable)
For plural nouns, we use these and those. See also: This, that, these, those
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/grammar/british-grammar/this-that-these-those
Both, many, (a) few, the numbers two, three, four, etc., several, these and those are only used with plural nouns: It all happened many years ago.
I just have a few photos of my grandparents.
Several items were missing when we opened the box to unpack everything.
See also: Both
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/grammar/british-grammar/both Little, a little, few, a few
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/grammar/british-grammar/little-a-little-few-a-few Many
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/grammar/british-grammar/many Number
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/grammar/british-grammar/number
Some determiners can only be used with an uncountable noun or with a plural noun: all | some /səm/ (weak form) | any (weak form) | zero determiner (i.e. no determiner) | enough | |
Would you like some juice, or milk? (uncountable noun)
Do we have enough cups for everybody? (plural noun)
We need to buy paper for the printer. (zero determiner, uncountable noun)
See also: All
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/grammar/british-grammar/all Enough
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/grammar/british-grammar/enough Some and any
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/grammar/british-grammar/some-and-any Such
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/grammar/british-grammar/such
Some determiners can be used with any type of noun, singular or plural, countable or uncountable. Determiners which can be used in this way: any (‘strong form’ meaning ‘it doesn’t matter which’) some (‘strong form’ meaning ‘certain/particular’; stressed and pronounced /sʌm/) which (as a question word) what (as a question word) my, your, his, Anna’s, etc. such the what whose no
| countable | uncountable | Singular | A: Where would you like to sit? B: Any seat in the front row will be fine. (I don’t mind which seat/It’s not important which seat)
Whose jacket is this?
| Any information you can give me about the trains would be very useful.
Whose advice do you listen to most, your parents’ or your teachers’?
| Plural | Some students always turn up late for class. (certain students)
There were no children at the hotel.
| Some processed meat contains a high level of salt.
I have no news for you.
|
We can use these determiners + of before pronouns: (a) few, fewer | each | many | one, two, three, etc. | (a) little | either | more | several | another | enough | most | some | all | every one | much | those | any | half | neither | which | both | less | | |
We had twenty tickets to sell and we sold all of them in less than an hour.
B: Either of them will be fine, thanks.
We’ve got loads of umbrellas – you can borrow one of ours.
|