Grammar: How to use determiners

We use determiners to express the reference of a noun in a given context. They tell us if the noun is general or specific.

Specific determiners:

• The definite article: The.
• Possessives: My, your, his, her, its, their, our.
• Demonstratives: This, that, these, those.
• Interrogative: Which.

We use specific determiners when we believe the listener/reader knows exactly what we are talking about.

Examples:

• Do you want the ketchup?
• Look at those lovely dogs.
• Thanks for your present.
• This is my computer.
• People don’t like this candidate.

General determiners are: A, an, any, another, other, what

_We use general determiners when the listener doesn’t know what we are talking about. We can use an uncountable noun or a plural noun with no.

• I like any dog I see.
• I need another computer.
• Education is the most relevant aspect for a society.
• Water is good for you.