Difference between revisions of "Determiner"
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| − | A '''determiner''' is a member of a [[word class]] of great importance to fluent idiomatic English. Non-native speakers find some aspects of this group among the hardest aspects of English usage to learn. They are divided into three categories, which must occur in this order: '''<u>pre</u>determiners''', '''<u>central</u> determiners''' and '''<u>post</u>determiners'''. | + | A '''determiner''' is a member of a [[word class]] of great importance to fluent idiomatic English. Non-native speakers find some aspects of this group among the hardest aspects of English usage to learn. They are divided into three categories, which must occur in this order: '''<u>pre</u>determiners''', '''<u>central</u> determiners''' and '''<u>post</u>determiners'''. The most important are the central determiners. |
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| + | * '''Central determiners''' include the [[article]]s, the [[possessive pronoun]]s, and such words as 'this', '[[that]]', 'every', 'each' and the [[negative]]s 'no' and 'neither' are also central determiners. A [[noun phrase]] can have only one of these '''central determiners'''. | ||
| + | * '''Predeterminers''', of which a [[noun phrase]] can only have one, include numerical words like 'all', 'both' and 'half', as well as fractions like 'one-third (of)' and multipliers like 'double'. | ||
| + | * '''Postdeterminers''' include numerals, both [[cardinal and ordinal]], and some others. | ||
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| + | [[category:grammar]] | ||
| + | [[category:word classes]] | ||
Latest revision as of 17:35, 5 August 2007
A determiner is a member of a word class of great importance to fluent idiomatic English. Non-native speakers find some aspects of this group among the hardest aspects of English usage to learn. They are divided into three categories, which must occur in this order: predeterminers, central determiners and postdeterminers. The most important are the central determiners.
- Central determiners include the articles, the possessive pronouns, and such words as 'this', 'that', 'every', 'each' and the negatives 'no' and 'neither' are also central determiners. A noun phrase can have only one of these central determiners.
- Predeterminers, of which a noun phrase can only have one, include numerical words like 'all', 'both' and 'half', as well as fractions like 'one-third (of)' and multipliers like 'double'.
- Postdeterminers include numerals, both cardinal and ordinal, and some others.
