English Grammar: Determiners: Class 9 CBSE Notes

1. What are Determiners?

Determiners are words placed before a noun (or a noun phrase) to modify, introduce, or specify it. They tell you whether the noun is general or specific, and indicate quantity, ownership, or order.

• Key Rule: Only one main determiner is usually used before a noun. (e.g., "my book," not "my the book")

2. Types of Determiners and Examples

The CBSE syllabus for Class 9 typically focuses on the following six types:

Type of Determiner	Function	Examples
1. Articles	Specify whether the noun is definite or indefinite.	a, an, the
2. Demonstratives	Point out specific nouns based on proximity.	this, that, these, those
3. Possessives	Show ownership or relationship.	my, your, his, her, its, our, their
4. Quantifiers	Indicate the amount or quantity of a noun.	some, any, much, many, few, little, all, most, enough
5. Numbers (Numerals)	Specify an exact count or order.	one, two, three (Cardinals) first, second, next (Ordinals)
6. Distributives	Refer to all members of a group individually.	each, every, either, neither, both

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3. Important Usage Rules (Quantifiers)

The correct use of quantifiers is a frequent topic in exams:

Determiner	Usage	Example Sentence
Much	Used with uncountable nouns (e.g., water, time) in questions and negative sentences.	I don't have much time.
Many	Used with plural countable nouns (e.g., books, students) in questions and negative sentences.	Were there many people at the party?
Little	Used with uncountable nouns. Means almost none (negative meaning).	He has little hope of winning.
A little	Used with uncountable nouns. Means some (positive meaning).	Please add a little sugar.
Few	Used with plural countable nouns. Means almost none (negative meaning).	Few students passed the difficult test.
A few	Used with plural countable nouns. Means some (positive meaning).	A few friends came to visit me.
Some	Used in affirmative (positive) sentences and in offers/requests.	I bought some fruit. Can I have some water?
Any	Used in negative sentences and most questions.	I don't have any pets. Do you have any questions?

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4. Special Points to Remember

1. Articles: 'A' vs. 'An'
   • The choice between a and an is based on the sound of the word following the article, not the spelling.
   • a is used before a consonant sound. (e.g., a university, a one-rupee coin)
   • an is used before a vowel sound. (e.g., an hour, an honest man)
2. Demonstratives: Proximity
   • This and These are for things near the speaker.
   • That and Those are for things far from the speaker.
3. Distributives: Each vs. Every
   • Each refers to two or more items taken individually.
     • Example: Each of the two teams has a good captain.
   • Every refers to a large number of items taken as a group.
     • Example: Every seat in the hall was occupied.

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Determiners Practice Sheet (Class 9)

Choose the most appropriate determiner to complete each sentence. The correct answer is provided below the options.

1. She saw _______ owl sitting on a branch.

Options: A) a, B) an, C) the

Correct Answer: An

2. I need to buy _______ new shoes for the event.

Options: A) any, B) much, C) some

Correct Answer: some

3. This is _______ favourite book.

Options: A) our, B) us, C) we

Correct Answer: our

4. Do you see _______ bird sitting on that distant roof?

Options: A) these, B) that, C) this

Correct Answer: that

5. He has _______ knowledge of Hindi, so he can't speak much.

Options: A) a little, B) little, C) many

Correct Answer: little

6. _______ member received a prize at the end of the show.

Options: A) Each, B) Both, C) Neither

Correct Answer: Each

7. The Earth revolves around _______ Sun.

Options: A) a, B) an, C) the

Correct Answer: the

8. There were _______ guests at the party than expected (a small number).

Options: A) few, B) a few, C) much

Correct Answer: a few

9. The dog wagged _______ tail happily.

Options: A) it's, B) his, C) its

Correct Answer: its

10. Are _______ flowers yours? (They are right here)

Options: A) that, B) those, C) these

Correct Answer: these

11. How _______ money did you spend on the gift?

Options: A) many, B) much, C) a lot

Correct Answer: much

12. _______ of the two options seems correct.

Options: A) Every, B) Neither, C) All

Correct Answer: Neither

13. He wants to be _______ M.L.A one day.

Options: A) a, B) an, C) the

Correct Answer: an

14. Could you please lend me _______ sugar?

Options: A) any, B) some, C) many

Correct Answer: some

15. Ramesh was the _______ person to arrive at the station.

Options: A) one, B) second, C) little

Correct Answer: second

16. They invited all _______ neighbours for the dinner.

Options: A) they, B) theirs, C) their

Correct Answer: their

17. I bought a pen. _______ pen is red.

Options: A) A, B) An, C) The

Correct Answer: The

18. Are there _______ errors in this report? (Question)

Options: A) some, B) much, C) any

Correct Answer: any

19. Please put away _______ boxes on the top shelf.

Options: A) this, B) that, C) those

Correct Answer: those

20. _______ the students passed the exam with flying colours.

Options: A) Much, B) Whole, C) All

Correct Answer: All