DETERMINERS VS

ADJECTIVES

What is a determiner?

• Determiners are words that precede (come before) nouns

• They are function words

• Therefore, they do not have synonyms and antonyms

• Cannot be added '-er' and '-est'

• Determiners don't carry specific definition or meaning

For example, the following highlighted words are determiners :

• An apple is a healthy snack.

• My house is your house.

• Which essay is for what class?

• Two thieves stole a dozen cars.

What is an adjective?

• traditionally defined as words that describe or modify the quality of nouns. For example :

• The blue flowers grow best in bright sunlight.

• The tall man is sad.

• My crazy uncle painted his bedroom pink.

Differences in the usage of determiners and adjectives :

Determiner + noun (boy)

Adjective + noun (boy)

the boy handsome boy

some boys bad boy

this boy short boy

Sally's boy dirty boy

Note that each adjective carries a description, thus making the comparative and superlative applicable

handsome boy

more handsome boy

most handsome boy

bad boy worse boy (not badder boy)

worst boy (not baddest boy)

cute boy cuter boy cutest boy

Personal pronouns and possesive pronouns cannot be determiners

• examples of personal pronouns - I, you, he, she..

• examples of possesive pronouns - mine, yours, his..