Determiners & Adjectives

Some modern grammars include determiners among the parts of speech.

But many traditional grammars consider them adjectives – Both perform a modifying function.

Let’s see how Determiners differ from Adjectives.

Difference 1

The form of an adjective can change.
Example: tall, taller, tallest

Most determiners do not change form.
Examples: some, each, his, her, etc.

Difference 2

Adjectives are not limited in number. Language will never tire of inventing new adjectives.

Most determiners on the other hand, are well established. This class of words is not going to grow in number.

In the same way:

  • There are only three articles (a, an, the),
  • There are only a handful of possessive pronouns, etc.

Exception: the possessive cases of nouns are as limitless as nouns themselves.

Difference 3

An adjective is placed before the noun or as a complement of a noun.
Example: ‘tall boy’. The boy is tall.

A determiner can come only before a noun.
Examples: ‘few girls’, ‘every student’

Difference 4

A determiner precedes other adjectives that accompany it. Though determiners can have different positions relative to one another.
Examples:
many nice paintings (many - determiner; nice - adjective)
some great men (some - determiner; great - adjective)

Extra Books and Tools


1. Wren & Martin - This book has been around for long and is still considered one of the best.

Links for readers from USA, UK, Canada, and other countries:

High School English Grammar and Composition Paperback

Key to Wren and Martin

Link for Indian readers: Wren and Martin


2. More advanced learners may refer to the following books. However, buy them only if you must.

A. Essential English Grammar by Raymond Murphy

Link for readers from USA, UK, Canada, and other countries: Essential Grammar in Use - with Answers

Link for Indian readers: Essential English Grammar

B. Intermediate English Grammar by Raymond Murphy

Link for readers from USA, UK, Canada, and other countries: English Grammar in Use - with Answers

Link for Indian readers: Intermediate English Grammar

C. Advanced English Grammar by Martin Hewings

Link for readers from USA, UK, Canada, and other countries: Advanced Grammar in Use - with Answers

Link for Indian readers: Advanced English Grammar


So much so for Englsh Grammar. But what about Comprehension skills and Vocabulary?

For this, I prefer to read on gadgets like Kindle. We may just tap on any word and see its meaning there and then. It's also not taxing on the eyes. There are a multitude of Kindle models and versions available. Though, any model will meet our basic reading needs.

Link for readers from USA, UK, Canada, and other countries:

Link for Indian readers: Kindle

If you want to know more about such recommended books, you may read this article of ours.
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