Determiners

EG: Unit 3, Lessons 12-15

SSWBAT:

1. State where determiners occur.

At the beginning of noun phrases.

SSWBAT:

2. Name 4 types of determiners, and

exemplify each type.

2. Articles: the, a

3. Possessives: her, Julie’s

4. Demonstratives: that desk, this desk

5. Quantifiers: few, three, fifty

SSWBAT:

3. Name the 3 articles in English.

– A, an, the

4. Classify the articles as indefinite and

definite.

– Indefinite: a, an; Definite: the

SSWBAT:

4. Explain why the articles are called

“definite” and “indefinite.”

“The test” is a particular (definite) test; “a

test” or “an exam” is not a particular test

(indefinite).

An/the exam is on Friday.

SSWBAT:

5. State what a and an mean and why

they do not occur with plural nouns.

Meaning = one.

*A cookies, Cookies, A cookie

*An envelopes, Envelopes, An envelope

SSWBAT:

6. State the rule for when to use an

instead of a, and apply it accurately.

An is used if the following word begins

with a vowel sound.

An hour, an apple, a unicorn, a European

Review:

1. State where determiners occur.

2. Name & exemplify the four major

types of determiners.

3. Name the three articles in English.

4. Classify the articles as

definite/indefinite.

Review:

5. State what a and an mean. (Why

don’t they occur with plural nouns?)

6. State the rule for when to use an

instead of a.

SSWBAT:

7. List the 4 demonstratives.

This, that, these, those

– As determiners, the 4 demonstratives

begin a noun phrase: “this beautiful

flower,” “those brilliant grammar students”

SSWBAT:

8. Separate the determiner type of

demonstrative from demonstrative

pronouns, & provide the criterion for

making this decision.

Demonstratives

Demonstratives (determiners): This

pen is mine. Those words rhyme.

Demonstrative pronouns: This is

mine. Those rhyme.

Demonstratives

Demonstrative determiners precede a

noun in the noun phrase (NP).

Demonstrative pronouns are the noun

phrase. They don’t need an

accompanying noun to finish the NP.

SSWBAT:

9. State a common meaning-based

characteristic of possessives/

possessive determiners.

The teacher enjoys her students.

Jake and Dave love their grammar

textbook.

Possessive determiners

This is Julie’s favorite song.

That is her favorite song.

Her family loves music.

Possessive determiners indicate

ownership or membership.

SSWBAT:

10.Name the two forms that possessive

determiners can take.

a. Like a PRON: my, your, our, their, its

b. Noun + -’s (typical singular noun form) or

-s’(plural noun): boy’s, boys’, Mary’s

Determiners versus adjectives

Determiners precede adjectives in a

NP: The woman’s favorite coat,

Jake’s new hobby, their finest hour

Determiners generally don’t take the

comparative or superlative (-er,

-est/more, most).

Possessive determiner OR possessive pronoun?

Determiners, again, introduce a noun

phrase. Pronouns are a noun phrase.

My coat is on the floor. (determiner)

The coat on the floor is mine.

(pronoun)

Possessive determiner OR possessive pronoun?

Yours is next to the coffee pot.

– Pronoun

We’ll study for our next test together.

– Determiner

My shoelaces are dirtier than yours.

– Determiner, pronoun

Review

7. List the 4 demonstratives.

8. State the criterion for deciding if a

demonstrative word is functioning as a

determiner.

Review

9. State a meaning-based characteristic

of possessive determiners.

10.Name the two forms possessive

determiners can take.

SSWBAT:

11.Define quantifiers & provide examples.

Numbers & words that describe/name an amount

– few, all, some, every, any, each, most, much, many, enough, several, little, both, no, either, neither

Quantifiers

Note: To be quantifiers (a type of

determiner), the words have to

precede a noun in the NP.

– Few are tired. Not a determiner

– A few papers were submitted late. DET

Quantifiers--DET or not?

All are invited; some come.

– Not determiners

Three peaches are left.

– Determiner

Many people like peaches.

– Determiner

SSWBAT:

12.Show that their meaning and

behaviors indicate that numbers

belong to the quantifier determiner

category.

Numbers as quantifiers

Show quantity like few & many (etc.)

do.

– All grammar students are capable.

– Twenty-five grammar students are

capable.

Numbers as quantifiers

Don’t take the comparative or

superlative.

– * Twenty-fiveer students are very

capable.

– * This is the secondest best year of my

life.

Numbers as quantifiers

Typically precede adjectives in a NP.

– Twenty-five enthusiastic, brave, intelligent

grammar students impress their teacher.

– One tired little boy is crying.

Numbers as quantifiers

Note: Like the other quantifiers, to be

a determiner, a number has to

precede a noun in the NP.

– Three puppies play in the grass. DET

– Three play in the grass. Not a DET

SSWBAT:

13.Use quantifiers to show that an NP

can have more than one determiner.

– All 25 students are very capable.

– These 25 students are very capable.

– Sarah has a few questions about the

homework assignment.

Review

11.Define & exemplify quantifiers.

12.Show that numbers’ meaning &

behaviors indicate they are quantifier

determiners.

13.Show that an NP can have more than

one determiner.