Determiners are an important part of English grammar for CBSE Class 9 and Class 10 students. Learning how to use articles, quantifiers, demonstratives, and other determiners correctly can help you improve your grammar and sentence construction.
This quick revision guide breaks down the core rules for NCERT exams and is followed by practice worksheets with detailed answer keys.
What you’ll learn:
The main types of determiners and how they are used.
Important rules for determiners with countable and uncountable nouns.
The differences between commonly confused determiners.
How to solve determiner exercises.
Table of Contents
Quick Revision: What are Determiners?
Determiners are words used before nouns to identify them or indicate their quantity, possession, or reference. Some examples are a, the, this, my, some, and many.
6 Useful Types for CBSE Exams
Articles: a, an, the
Demonstratives: this, that, these, those
Possessives: my, your, his, her, its, our, their
Quantifiers: some, any, much, many, few, a few, little, a little, a lot of
Distributives: each, every, either, neither
Numbers & Ordinals: one, two, first, second, next, last
Other useful examples of determiners, if you want to learn additionally:
- Whose book is this?
- Which subject do you prefer?
- What colour is your bag?
- Both students passed.
- All the participants received certificates.
- Neither answer is correct.
The bolded words in the examples above are determiners. Their grammatical function depends on how they are used in a sentence.
4 Important Rules for CBSE Board Exams
Countable vs. Uncountable Nouns:
Many / A few: Used only with countable nouns (many books, a few students).
Much / A little: Used only with uncountable nouns (much patience, a little milk).
Some vs. Any:
Some: Commonly used in positive statements with plural countable nouns and uncountable nouns. But also used in offers and requests when a positive response is expected. (Examples: “I have some doubts”, “Would you like some tea?”).
Any: Commonly used in negative statements and questions. In positive statements, it can mean whichever or no matter which. (“I don’t have any doubts” / “If you need any help, call me.”).
Each vs. Every:
Both take a singular noun and a singular verb. But there is a difference. See the examples:
“Each student was given a paper.” (Focuses on individuals one by one)
“Every student passed the test.” (Focuses on all members as a group. But the construction “every of the students” is incorrect in standard English.)
Few / Little vs. A Few / A Little:
Few / Little: Almost none (Negative meaning). Examples: “Few students understood the difficult question.” / “We have little time left.”
A Few / A Little: Some / A small quantity (Positive meaning). Examples: “A few students volunteered to help.” / “A little sugar is left in the container.”
Note: Few and little often express an insufficient quantity, while a few and a little indicate that some quantity exists.
Practice Worksheet 1: Gap Filling (CBSE Pattern)
Directions: Complete the sentences by choosing the correct determiner from the options given in brackets.
Could you please pass me __________ (a / the / an) salt shaker from the table?
There isn’t __________ (much / many / some) sugar left in the jar.
__________ (Each / Every / Either) candidate submitted a separate application.
Rohan has __________ (few / a few / little) close friends in his new school, so he feels happy now.
She didn’t buy __________ (some / any / many) books from the exhibition.
__________ (The / A / An) honest man is respected by everyone.
__________ (This / These / Those) building beside me was constructed last year.
We spent __________ (a little / a few / much) days in Shimla during our summer break.
Is there __________ (some / any / many) reason why you are late today?
__________ (Every / Each / All) of the team members received a separate certificate.
Practice Worksheet 2: Error Spotting & Editing
Directions: The following passage has not been edited. There is one error in the determiners on each line. Write the incorrect word along with the correction.
| Sentence | Incorrect Word | Correct Word |
|---|---|---|
| (a) Water is essential for every living beings on Earth. | ||
| (b) However, many people waste a large amount of a water. | ||
| (c) We have few time left to save our water resources. | ||
| (d) Each efforts contribute to a sustainable future. |
Worksheet 3: Determiners MCQs
Directions: Choose the correct determiner to complete each sentence. Each question has only one best answer.
- There are hardly ______ students in the classroom because most of them are attending a school event.
(a) some
(b) any
(c) much - Neither of the two brothers ______ interested in joining the football team.
(a) are
(b) were
(c) is - We have ______ information about the new school policy, so we cannot make a decision yet.
(a) few
(b) little
(c) a few - ______ of the two roads leads to the railway station, so you can take either one.
(a) Both
(b) Either
(c) Every - She has read ______ books on environmental protection, but she wants to explore the subject further.
(a) a little
(b) much
(c) several - ______ student must submit the assignment before Friday.
(a) Every
(b) All
(c) Many - I have visited this museum ______ times, but I still enjoy exploring it.
(a) much
(b) several
(c) little - There is ______ milk left in the refrigerator, enough for one cup of tea.
(a) a few
(b) a little
(c) few - ______ book on the top shelf belongs to the school librarian.
(a) Those
(b) These
(c) That - ______ of the answers was correct, so the teacher explained the question again.
(a) Neither
(b) All
(c) Both
Worksheet 4: Mixed Practice
Directions: Fill in each blank with the most appropriate determiner from the options provided. Pay attention to the meaning of the sentence and whether the noun is countable or uncountable.
- ______ students in our class participated in the cleanliness drive, and their efforts were appreciated.
(All / Every / Much) - The teacher gave us ______ useful advice before the examination.
(many / a few / some) - ______ of the two answers is correct; both contain grammatical errors.
(Neither / Every / All) - There are ______ chairs in the hall, so we need to arrange a few more for the guests.
(too much / too few / too little) - I have two pens. You may take ______ of them; both write smoothly.
(either / every / all)
Answer Key & Explanations
Answers for Worksheet 1: Gap Filling
the — We use “the” because we are referring to a specific salt shaker on the table.
much — “Sugar” is an uncountable noun, so we use “much” in negative sentences.
Each — “Each” focuses on the individual candidate. Every is also grammatically possible in this sentence.
a few — “A few” has a positive meaning (some friends), which fits the context of Rohan feeling happy.
any — “Any” is used in negative sentences (didn’t buy).
An — “Honest” starts with a vowel sound (‘o’ sound), so we use “an”.
This — “Building” is singular and near, so “this” is used.
a few — “Days” is a plural countable noun, so we use “a few”.
any — “Any” is used in interrogative sentences (questions).
Each — Each of can be followed by a plural noun phrase, but the verb remains singular.
Answers for Worksheet 2: Editing
| Line | Incorrect Word | Correct Word | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| (a) | every | all | "Every" is followed by a singular countable noun, whereas "all" can be used with plural countable nouns. |
| (b) | a | [Remove 'a'] | "Water" is uncountable when referring to the substance generally. Therefore, we normally say "a large amount of water". |
| (c) | few | little | "Time" is uncountable, so "little" is used instead of "few". |
| (d) | Each | All | "Efforts" is plural; "each" requires a singular noun ("each effort"). |
Answer for Worksheet 3: MCQs
| Q. | Answer | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | (b) any | Any can be used in negative or near-negative contexts. Hardly any means almost none. |
| 2 | (c) is | Neither of takes a singular verb in formal standard English. |
| 3 | (b) little | Information is uncountable. Little information means there is not enough information. |
| 4 | (b) Either | Either refers to one of two alternatives. |
| 5 | (c) several | Books is a plural countable noun, so several is appropriate. |
| 6 | (a) Every | Every is followed by a singular countable noun: every student. |
| 7 | (b) several | Times is a plural countable noun, so several times is correct. |
| 8 | (b) a little | Milk is uncountable, and a little indicates a small but sufficient quantity. |
| 9 | (c) That | Book is singular, and that refers to a singular item at a distance. |
| 10 | (a) Neither | Neither means not one and not the other of two alternatives. The singular verb was agrees with it. |
Answer for Worksheet 4: Mixed Practice
| Q. | Answer | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | All | All can be used with a plural countable noun, such as students. Every would require the singular noun student, while much is used with uncountable nouns. |
| 2 | Some | Advice is uncountable, so some advice is correct. Many and a few are used with plural countable nouns. |
| 3 | Neither | Neither means that not one of the two answers is correct. The singular verb is agrees with the subject. |
| 4 | Too few | Chairs is a plural countable noun. Too few indicates that the number is insufficient. |
| 5 | Either | Either refers to one of two alternatives. Since both pens are suitable, the person may choose either one. |
Common Mistakes
Be careful of these common determiner mistakes. Avoid them:
| Incorrect sentence | Correct sentence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| She has much friends. | She has many friends. | Friends is a plural countable noun. |
| There are a little apples left. | There are a few apples left. | Apples is a plural countable noun. |
| Every students must attend. | Every student must attend. | Every is followed by a singular noun. |
| I don't have some money. | I don't have any money. | Any is commonly used in negative statements. |
| This books are expensive. | These books are expensive. | These is used with plural nouns. |
| He is an university student. | He is a university student. | University begins with a /juː/ consonant sound. |
| Each of the players are ready. | Each of the players is ready. | Each of the players takes a singular verb in standard English. |
