Core ConceptRead this first — the foundation of the topic
CORE CONCEPT
Determiners answer questions like:
- Which one? → This, that, these, those
- How many? → Some, many, few, several
- Whose? → My, your, his, her, its, our, their
- How much? → Much, little, less, more
MAIN TYPES OF DETERMINERS:
1
Articles
a, an, the
2
Demonstratives
this, that, these, those
3
Possessives
my, your, his, her, its, our, their
4
Quantifiers
some, many, few, all, both, each, every
5
Numbers
one, two, three, first, second
6
Interrogatives
which, what, whose (when asking questions)
KEY RULES:
- A determiner MUST come before a noun or noun phrase
- Usually only ONE main determiner before a noun (though exceptions exist)
- Determiners are NOT the same as pronouns (pronouns REPLACE nouns; determiners MODIFY nouns)
- Every noun phrase typically has a determiner
Exam PatternsWhat examiners ask — read before attempting PYQs
SSC CGL asks
- "Identify the determiner" → spot the word before the noun
- "Fill the blank with correct determiner" → use context to choose
- "Which is NOT a determiner?" → distinguish from pronouns or other parts of speech
- Error spotting → wrong determiner used or missing determiner
SHORTCUT/TRICK:
If you can put the word BEFORE a noun AND it specifies or limits that noun, it's likely a determiner. Test: "___ book" — if a word fits and makes sense, check if it's limiting/specifying
Examples
"the book" ✓, "my book" ✓, "some books" ✓, but "beautiful book" ✗ (beautiful is an adjective, not a determiner).
Worked ExampleSolve this step-by-step before moving on
1
Step 1
Find the noun → "umbrellas"
2
Step 2
Look for words BEFORE the noun → "three"
3
Step 3
Check if it specifies/limits the noun → YES, it tells us HOW MANY
Answer: "three" is a determiner (a number/quantifier)
Another example:
Sentence: "Her dog loves that treat."
Determiners: "Her" (possessive, before "dog") and "that" (demonstrative, before "treat")
Exam TrapsCommon mistakes students make — avoid these
Students confuse determiners with adjectives. Remember:
- Adjective describes QUALITY → "beautiful day"
- Determiner specifies/limits QUANTITY or POSSESSION → "that day", "my day"
Both can come before nouns, but determiners are about pointing and limiting, not describing qualities.
Key Points to Remember
Determiners are words placed BEFORE nouns to specify, limit, or identify them (the, my, some, this, many).
Six main types: Articles (a, an, the), Demonstratives (this, that, these, those), Possessives (my, your, his, her, its, our, their), Quantifiers (some, many, few, all), Numbers (one, two, first), and Interrogatives (which, what, whose).
Determiners answer key questions: Which one? How many? Whose? How much?
Key difference: Determiners MODIFY nouns (come before them), while pronouns REPLACE nouns entirely.
Usually only ONE main determiner appears before a noun, except in certain phrases like 'all the students' or 'both my friends'.
Quick test: If a word before a noun specifies or limits it (not describes quality), it's a determiner — use this to distinguish from adjectives.
Exam-Specific Tips
There are six main categories of determiners: Articles, Demonstratives, Possessives, Quantifiers, Numbers, and Interrogatives.
The most commonly tested determiners in SSC CGL are articles (a, an, the) and demonstratives (this, that, these, those).
Possessive determiners (my, your, his, her, its, our, their) are sometimes confused with possessive pronouns, but determiners modify nouns while pronouns replace them.
Quantifier determiners include: some, many, few, all, both, each, every, several, most, and little.
The phrase 'all the students' uses TWO determiners (all + the), which is a valid exception to the one-determiner rule.
Interrogative determiners (which, what, whose) are used in questions and MUST come before the noun they modify.
In error-spotting questions, missing articles (a/an/the) before nouns is the most frequently tested determiner error.
Demonstrative determiners change form based on proximity: 'this/these' for near, 'that/those' for far.
Practice MCQs
Determiners — Practice Questions
55graded MCQs · easy to hard · full solution & trap analysis · showing 20 of 55
In the following sentence, identify the part containing an error:
(A) A number of / (B) candidates have applied / (C) for the position, / (D) but few have been selected. / (E) No error
Practice 2easy
In the following sentence, one part is underlined. Identify the part that contains an error.
(A) Neither of the two proposals / (B) are acceptable / (C) to the management / (D) at this moment. / No error
Practice 3easy
In the following sentence, one part is underlined. Identify the part that contains an error.
(A) Several of the candidates / (B) has applied / (C) for the scholarship / (D) this year. / No error
Practice 4easy
In the following sentence, one part is underlined. Identify the part that contains an error.
(A) All of the information / (B) provided in the report / (C) are relevant / (D) for the decision-making process. / No error
Practice 5easy
In the following sentence, identify the part containing an error:
(A) All of the team members / (B) has completed / (C) their training / (D) before the deadline. / (E) No error
Practice 6easy
In the following sentence, identify the part containing an error:
(A) Some of the information / (B) in these documents / (C) are confidential / (D) and should not be shared. / (E) No error
Practice 7easy
In the following sentence, identify the part containing an error:
(A) Some of the equipment / (B) in the laboratory / (C) needs / (D) to be replaced. / No error
Practice 8easy
In the following sentence, four parts are underlined. Identify the part that contains a grammatical error.
(A) Each of the students / (B) have submitted / (C) their assignments / (D) on time. / No error
Practice 9easy
In the following sentence, identify the part containing an error:
(A) Each of the students / (B) have submitted / (C) their assignments / (D) on time. / No error
Practice 10easy
In the following sentence, one part is underlined. Identify the error:
Neither the manager nor (A) the employees / (B) was aware / (C) of the / (D) new policy. / No error
Practice 11easy
In the following sentence, one part is underlined. Identify the error:
All of the (A) students in the class / (B) have completed / (C) their assignments / (D) on time. / No error
Practice 12easy
In the following sentence, identify the part containing an error:
(A) Neither of the two proposals / (B) were acceptable / (C) to the committee / (D) members. / No error
Practice 13easy
In the following sentence, identify the part containing an error:
(A) Neither the manager / (B) nor the employees / (C) was aware of / (D) the new policy. / (E) No error
Practice 14easy
In the following sentence, four parts are underlined. Identify the part that contains a grammatical error.
"Each of the students (A) / have submitted (B) / their assignments (C) / on time. (D) No error (E)"
A) Each of the students
B) have submitted
C) their assignments
D) on time
E) No error
Practice 15easy
In the following sentence, one part is underlined. Identify the error:
Each of the (A) candidates / (B) are required / (C) to bring / (D) their own stationery. / No error
Practice 16easy
In the following sentence, one part is underlined. Identify the part that contains an error.
(A) Each of the students / (B) have submitted / (C) their assignments / (D) on time. / No error
Practice 17easy
In the following sentence, identify the part containing an error:
(A) All of the information / (B) provided in the report / (C) are relevant / (D) to the investigation. / No error
Practice 18easy
In the following sentence, identify the part containing an error:
(A) A number of students / (B) has complained / (C) about the new / (D) examination schedule. / No error
Practice 19easy
In the following sentence, one part is underlined. Identify the error:
She has (A) a few / (B) important documents / (C) which she must / (D) submit it by tomorrow. / No error
Practice 20easy
Choose the correct determiner to fill in the blank: She has ________ idea how difficult the examination is going to be.
35 more practice questions in the Study Panel
Difficulty-graded, bookmarkable, with timed mode. Free account — no credit card.