Determinants
In linguistics , a determinant is a morpheme that, adjacent to the noun phrase, quantifies or specializes it to form a determining phrase with it. The determinants, therefore, point to an object and define its meaning. Determinants examples
The linguistic determinants are divided into updaters , quantifiers , interrogative / exclamatory and predetermining . The expression “I have read the whole book” includes the default “all” , which sets the scope of the sentence to the entire “book . ” The sentence “I liked the book” , meanwhile, presents the updating determinant “el” , while “I want double ration of potatoes” exhibits the quantifying determinant “double . “
Types of determinants
The determinants are composed of different categories of words. They are the articles , and those that in the traditional grammar are called determinative adjectives (to know more consult our complete guide on the adjectives ): Determinants examples
Articles
They always accompany the name or noun (except proper names) and determine their gender. They are divided into:
- Determinatives : the, he, the, the. They are used when the noun they accompany is known by the speaker and the listener. Example: The yellow house (this is a specific yellow house, known by who speaks and who listens)
- Indeterminatives: one, one, ones, ones. They are used when the noun they accompany is not known by who speaks and who listens. Example: A yellow house (it is any yellow house, undefined)
- Neutral: lo. It is used to accompany adjectives, adverbs or participles, never names. Example: the desired; the best
REMEMBER When the determinative article “el” precedes the prepositions “a” or “de”, these merge with the article, giving rise to the contracted articles “al” (to him) and “del” (of him) Determinants examples
Demonstrations
They are used to indicate the proximity or remoteness of the name or noun:
- Close: this, this, these, these
- Average distance : that, that, those, those
- Far: that, that, those, those
Undefined
When we want to name a being or object inaccurately, because we do not know its identity, gender or number well, we use an undefined:
- some something; several, none; anyone, many, few, too much; several, quite; both true, etc.
Possessive
They serve to indicate to whom belongs what is named by the noun:
- If the possessor is 1 only: me, my, mine, mine, mine, mine; you, yours, yours, yours, yours, yours; his, his, his, his, his, his
- If they are several holders: ours, ours, ours, ours; yours, yours, yours, yours; his, his, his, his, his, his
Numerals
Indicate a precise amount of the named, or order it:
- Cardinals: one, two, three, four …
- Ordinals : first, second, third, fourth
- Fractional: half, third, fourth …
- Multiplicative: double, triple, quadruple …
Interrogatives
Accompany the noun to ask questions about the nature or quantity of the named:
- What, how much, which
Exclamative
They accompany the nouns to express surprise or emotion:
- What, how much, which
Determinants examples
Let’s see a few examples of determinants , divided by classes:
Articles
- The coffee maker is in the kitchen
- The young students have little experience
- The clouds look like cotton
- The grandparents of Thomas are fun
- Take a pencil from the case
- One of these morning we go to the park
- Let’s buy some tomatoes for the dinner
- Some friends of mine invited me to a party
Demonstrations
- This new piece of furniture I really like, instead that old piece of furniture at all
- That sector of the stadium is reserved for the local public
- Those houses you see in the background are still under construction
- This jacket suits you
- Search the newspapers of these batteries
Undefined
- Some teacher available will be in this institute
- Are there any lemons plants on that farm?
- Several people have complained about the delay
- It is not free any place
- There were few people at the concert
Possessive
- Take my car
- Those boys are my cousins
- Your bags are already in the car
- Pencils yours are in your room
- Your grandparents are very nice
- Your friends are always late
Numerals
- Yesterday we saw three newborn kittens
- The office is on the fourth floor
- I had to throw half an apple because it was broken
- Serve me triple serving of dessert
Interrogatives
- ¿ What test you gave today?
- ¿ What cities have you met?
- How many coats do you have?
Exclamative
- What more beautiful picture!
- How much imagination does that child have!
- What a surprise I have taken me to see it!
