06 · Frame

Determiners

A determiner helps establish which things or how many things a noun phrase refers to. The noun stays light in a light, that light, every light, and my light, but the first word changes the reference.

The event stays the same. What does the first word change?
Determiner · determinerNoun · headNoun phrase · subjectVerb · headVerb phrase · predicateSentenceAlightflashed.

A introduces one light without saying which one.

Determiner · determinerNoun · headNoun phrase · subjectVerb · headVerb phrase · predicateSentenceThatlightflashed.

That points to a light the speaker expects the listener to identify.

The noun light names the same kind of thing in both sentences, and flashed reports the same event. A introduces an unspecified light; that directs the listener to a particular one.

Different determiners make different kinds of choices. Articles can introduce something or mark it as already identifiable. Demonstratives point, possessives show a relation, and words such as some, every, and no express quantity.

a determiner with detail

A determiner can head its own phrase

Determiner · headDeterminative phrase · determinerNoun · headNominal · headNoun phrase · subjectVerb · headVerb phrase · predicateSentenceAlmosteverydriverwaited.
The diagram groups almost every as a determinative phrase in the determiner position. Every is the determiner at the phrase’s head.

Here almost modifies every, so the two words form a determinative phrase. That complete phrase occupies the determiner position before student.

the distinction

A determiner and an adjective attach at different levels

Determiner · determinerAdjective · premodifierNoun · headNominal · headNoun phraseThosereddoors
Those combines with the whole nominal red doors. Inside it, the adjective red modifies the noun doors — the adjective label runs ahead of its lesson so both levels are visible.

Those sets the reference of the whole phrase. Red describes the doors inside that phrase. The diagram therefore places the determiner outside the nominal red doors and the adjective inside it.

Determiner · determinerAdjective · premodifierNoun · headNominal · headNoun phrase · subjectVerb · headVerb phrase · predicateSentenceMyoldclockticked.
The same shape at work in a sentence: my combines with the nominal old clock, and the whole noun phrase is the subject of ticked.

Test the word before a noun

  1. Keep the noun fixed and compare familiar determiner words such as a, that, or every.
  2. Notice how their replacement changes the phrase’s reference or range.
  3. Use that comparison as evidence for clear examples, then check the word’s place in the noun phrase.

Meaning and position work together in these examples. An adjective may also narrow the things being discussed, and the first word before a noun is not always a determiner.

the boundary

Some noun phrases have no determiner

Noun · headNoun phrase · subjectVerb · headVerb phrase · predicateSentenceLightsflashed.
Lights is a complete subject noun phrase by itself. Names, pronouns, and many plural or non-count nouns can also appear without a determiner.
Determiner · determiner and head at onceNoun phrase · subjectVerb · headVerb phrase · predicateSentenceMostleft.
In the course’s analysis of Most left, most is determiner and head at once. The word supplies the quantifying contribution and heads the noun phrase.

A noun phrase does not always need a determiner. Lights flashed is complete without one, as are many phrases headed by a name or pronoun. This course labels words such as my and those as determiners and uses names such as article, demonstrative, possessive, and quantifier for the meanings they contribute.

Ten sentences from this lesson, one decision at a time.