Determiners are words that come before nouns to introduce them or show which person or thing we are talking about. They include words like this, that, these, those, each, every, either, neither, some, any, no, my, your, his, her, etc.
• This book is interesting.
• Those shoes are expensive.
• Each student got a prize.
• Every day I drink coffee.
• Either answer is correct.
• Neither option works.
📝 2. Demonstrative Determiners: This, That, These, Those
Demonstrative determiners show distance (near vs far) and number (singular vs plural).
• This (singular, near) → This book (in my hand)
• These (plural, near) → These books (next to me)
• That (singular, far) → That book (over there)
• Those (plural, far) → Those books (across the room)
• This cake is delicious. (near)
• That cake looks good. (far)
• These flowers are beautiful.
• Those mountains are majestic.
💡 Time references: Use "this/these" for present or future events. Use "that/those" for past events.
• This week I am busy. (current)
• That day was unforgettable. (past)
• Each focuses on individual members (used for 2 or more)
• Every focuses on the whole group (used for 3 or more)
• Each student received a certificate. (individual)
• Every student passed the exam. (group result)
• Each of the two answers is correct.
• I go to the gym every day.
• Each child got a gift.
• Every child likes ice cream.
📌 EITHER vs NEITHER (for two choices)
• Either = one or the other (positive)
• Neither = not one nor the other (negative)
• You can take either road. (one or the other)
• Neither road leads to the city. (none of the two)
• Either color looks good on you.
• Neither answer is correct.
• I don't like either option.
• Neither of them came to the party.
📝 4. Quantifying Determiners
• Some → affirmative (some money, some books)
• Any → questions/negatives (any money, any books)
• No → negative (no money, no books)
• Many → countable (many books)
• Much → uncountable (much water)
• A lot of → both (a lot of books/water)
• A few → countable positive (a few books)
• A little → uncountable positive (a little water)
• Few → countable negative (few books)
• Little → uncountable negative (little water)
📝 5. Possessive Determiners
• my, your, his, her, its, our, their
• This is my car.
• Is that your phone?
• His idea was brilliant.
• Her dress is beautiful.
• The cat chased its tail.
• Our team won.
• Their house is big.
📝 6. Interrogative Determiners
• Which → choice (which book, which color)
• Whose → possession (whose car, whose phone)
• What → general (what time, what color)
• Which dress do you prefer?
• Whose bag is this?
• What movie did you watch?
📊 7. Comparison Chart
Determiner Type
Examples
Usage
Demonstrative
this, that, these, those
show distance (near/far) and number
Distributive
each, every, either, neither
show individual or group distribution
Quantifying
some, any, no, many, much, a lot of, few, little
express quantity or amount
Possessive
my, your, his, her, its, our, their
show ownership or possession
Interrogative
which, whose, what
ask questions about nouns
💬 8. Examples by Category (100+ Examples)
📌 Demonstrative Determiners (20 examples)
1. This cake is delicious.
2. That car over there is mine.
3. These flowers smell wonderful.
4. Those mountains are beautiful.
5. This week I am very busy.
6. That day was unforgettable.
7. This phone is new.
8. That house is for sale.
9. These shoes are comfortable.
10. Those books are expensive.
11. This problem is difficult.
12. That movie was boring.
13. These cookies are homemade.
14. Those clouds look like rain.
15. This is my first time here.
16. That was a great idea.
17. These are my friends.
18. Those were the days.
19. This weather is perfect.
20. That restaurant is famous.
📌 Distributive Determiners (20 examples)
Each / Every
21. Each student received a certificate.
22. Every student passed the exam.
23. Each child got a gift.
24. Every child likes ice cream.
25. Each of the two answers is correct.
26. I go to the gym every day.
27. Each employee has a badge.
28. Every employee works hard.
29. Each flower is different.
30. Every flower needs water.
31. Each person must sign.
32. Every person has a story.
33. Each room has a window.
34. Every room has a number.
Either / Neither
35. You can take either road.
36. Neither road leads to the city.
37. Either color looks good on you.
38. Neither answer is correct.
39. I don't like either option.
40. Neither of them came to the party.
📌 Quantifying Determiners (30 examples)
41. I have some money.
42. Do you have any questions?
43. I have no money.
44. Many people like coffee.
45. How much water do you drink?
46. I have a lot of friends.
47. I have a few good friends.
48. Add a little salt.
49. I have few friends in this city.
50. There is little hope.
51. Some students are late.
52. Is there any milk?
53. There are no seats left.
54. How many apples do you have?
55. I don't have much time.
56. She has a lot of experience.
57. I need a few minutes.
58. I speak a little French.
59. Few people understand.
60. There is little sugar left.
61. Somebody called for you.
62. I can't find any information.
63. There's no reason to worry.
64. Many tourists visit here.
65. Much has been said.
66. We need a lot of help.
67. I have a few ideas.
68. I need a little rest.
69. Fewer people are smoking.
70. I have little patience.
📌 Possessive Determiners (15 examples)
71. This is my car.
72. Is that your phone?
73. His idea was brilliant.
74. Her dress is beautiful.
75. The cat chased its tail.
76. Our team won.
77. Their house is big.
78. My mother is a teacher.
79. Your friend called.
80. His brother is a doctor.
81. Her sister is an artist.
82. Its color is red.
83. Our children are grown.
84. Your parents are kind.
85. Their dog is friendly.
📌 Interrogative Determiners (15 examples)
86. Which dress do you prefer?
87. Whose bag is this?
88. What movie did you watch?
89. Which color do you like?
90. Whose car is parked outside?
91. What time is it?
92. Which restaurant is better?
93. Whose idea was that?
94. What book are you reading?
95. Which way should we go?
96. Whose phone is ringing?
97. What food do you like?
98. Which candidate won?
99. Whose turn is it?
100. What language is that?
❌ 9. Common Mistakes
Mistake
Correction
❌ These book is good.
✅ This book is good.
❌ That books are interesting.
✅ Those books are interesting.
❌ Each of the three students were happy.
✅ Each of the three students was happy. (each + singular)
❌ Neither of the two answers are correct.
✅ Neither of the two answers is correct. (neither + singular)
❌ Every students passed.
✅ Every student passed. (every + singular noun)
⚠️ Important Rules:
1. "This/these" for near, "that/those" for far.
2. "Each" and "every" are followed by singular nouns and singular verbs.
3. "Either" and "neither" are followed by singular verbs.
4. "Neither" means not one nor the other (negative).
5. "Every" is used for three or more, "each" can be used for two or more.
✍️ 10. Practice Exercises
Exercise 1: Choose this, that, these, or those
1. ______ book in my hand is heavy.
2. ______ book on the shelf is old.
3. ______ flowers next to me are beautiful.
4. ______ mountains in the distance are majestic.
5. ______ week I am very busy. (present)
Exercise 2: Choose each, every, either, or neither
1. ______ student received a certificate.
2. ______ student passed the exam.
3. You can take ______ road. (one or the other)
4. ______ road leads to the city. (none)
5. I go to the gym ______ day.
Exercise 3: Correct the mistakes
1. These book is good. → ____________________
2. That books are interesting. → ____________________
3. Every students passed. → ____________________
4. Neither of the two answers are correct. → ____________________
5. Each of the three students were happy. → ____________________
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q1.What is the difference between 'this' and 'that'?▼
'This' and 'these' refer to things that are near in distance or time. 'That' and 'those' refer to things that are farther away. Example: 'This book in my hand' vs 'That book on the shelf'. Also use 'this/these' for present situations and 'that/those' for past situations.
Q2.What is the difference between 'each' and 'every'?▼
'Each' focuses on individual items one by one and is used for two or more items. 'Every' focuses on the whole group and is used for three or more items. Example: 'Each student received a certificate' (individual focus). 'Every student passed the exam' (group focus).
Q3.What is the difference between 'either' and 'neither'?▼
'Either' means one or the other of two choices (positive). 'Neither' means not one nor the other (negative). Example: 'You can take either road' (one or the other). 'Neither road leads to the city' (none of the two).