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.
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
3graded MCQs · easy to hard · full solution & trap analysis
In the sentence below, identify the error (if any):
Several of the applicants (A) / has not submitted (B) / their documents on time (C) / No error (D)
Practice 2easy
In the sentence below, identify the error (if any):
All of the students (A) / has completed (B) / their assignments (C) / No error (D)
Practice 3hard
Identify the error in the sentence below:
The manager insisted that (A) each of the employees / (B) have submitted / (C) their reports / (D) before the deadline. / No error
60-Second Revision — Determiners
Remember: Determiners = words BEFORE nouns that specify, limit, or identify them (the, my, some, this, many).
Quick identification: Does the word before a noun tell us WHICH ONE, HOW MANY, or WHOSE? If yes, it's a determiner.
Trap: Don't confuse determiners (modify nouns) with pronouns (replace nouns) or adjectives (describe quality).
Formula for testing: Put word + noun. If word narrows down/specifies the noun = DETERMINER. If it describes quality = ADJECTIVE.
Most tested: Articles (a, an, the), Demonstratives (this, that, these, those), Possessives (my, your, his, her, its, our, their), and Quantifiers (some, many, few).
Error-spotting focus: Missing or incorrect articles, wrong demonstrative for proximity, and possessive determiner misuse are top patterns.
Key fact: Every noun phrase typically has a determiner — if you see a noun, check what word comes before it in exam questions.