EnglishCBSE Class 10 · Grammar

Determiners Class 10: Rules, Exercises and Board Tips

Updated 14 October 2026 · Fact-checked

A determiner is a word placed before a noun to show which one, how many or whose: a, the, this, those, some, few, much, my. In the CBSE Class 10 Grammar question, determiners are tested through gap filling, MCQs and error correction, worth 1 mark each.

Notice that every determiner sits before its noun and sorts into four groups: articles, demonstratives, quantifiers and possessives.

Illustration drawn for QuestionBuddy.

Understand Determiners

A determiner is a small word that stands before a noun and tells us which thing, how much, how many or whose. In 'those applicants', 'a few books' and 'my bag', the words those, a few and my are determiners. A singular countable noun almost always needs a determiner. Plural and uncountable nouns used in a general sense can stand alone.

There are four groups you must know. Articles: a, an, the. Demonstratives: this, that, these, those. Quantifiers: some, any, much, many, few, little, several, enough, all, each, every, both, either, neither. Possessives: my, your, his, her, its, our, their. Numbers (two, third) and question words (which, what, whose) also work as determiners.

Each group follows reasoning, not magic. Use a or an for one unspecified thing, and the for something both speaker and listener can identify. Use this and these for things near you in place or time, and that and those for things far away. Singular nouns pair with this and that, plural nouns with these and those. Quantifiers depend on whether the noun is countable (books, chairs) or uncountable (water, advice, news). Many, few and several go with plural countable nouns. Much and little go with uncountable nouns.

Meaning matters too. Few and little are negative: they mean 'hardly any'. A few and a little are positive: they mean 'some, enough to use'. 'He has a few friends' is warm. 'He has few friends' is sad.

The board loves the traps. Each and every take a singular noun and a singular verb. Either and neither are for two things, while any and none are for more than two. Advice, furniture, information and luggage are uncountable, so 'many advices' is wrong. An article, a demonstrative and a possessive cannot be combined with one another (the my book, a this pen). Some quantifiers can come before them: all the students, both my sisters.

In the paper, determiners appear in Q3 as a fill-in-the-blank with four options, as an error to find and correct (including a missing or extra article), or inside a sentence you must complete. Read the whole sentence, because the noun after the blank and the sense of the line decide the answer.

Determiners: rules and format

1
Use 'a' before a consonant sound and 'an' before a vowel sound. Sound decides, not spelling.
She waited for an hour and then bought a university magazine.
Hour starts with a vowel sound (an), university starts with a 'y' sound (a).
2
Use 'the' for something specific or unique, or already mentioned.
I bought a bag and a bottle. The bag was heavy, but the sun was bright.
Do not use 'the' before plural or uncountable nouns used in a general sense: 'Honesty is important', not 'The honesty is important'.
3
Use 'the' before superlatives, ordinals and names like the Ganga or the Himalayas.
Priya is the tallest girl in the class and she was the first to reach the hall.
Do not use 'the' before names of single persons, cities or languages: 'He speaks Hindi'. Do not drop it before a superlative: 'She is the best student', not 'She is best student'.
4
This/that go with singular nouns; these/those go with plural nouns.
Those students who have not paid the fee must meet the clerk.
'These' and 'those' with a singular noun, as in 'these kind of book → this kind of book', is a classic error.
5
Many, few, a few, several, fewer go with plural countable nouns; much, little, a little go with uncountable nouns.
There is little water left, but we have many bottles.
Do not write 'much books' or 'many water'.
6
'Few' and 'little' mean hardly any (negative). 'A few' and 'a little' mean some (positive).
Because he had a little time, he finished the quiz; because she had little time, she could not.
Look for words like 'but', 'although' or 'hardly' to decide the feeling of the sentence.
7
Each and every are followed by a singular noun and a singular verb.
Every student has received a certificate.
Do not write 'Every students have'. Each can also be used with of: 'Each of the boys has a bat'.
8
Either and neither refer to two persons or things; any and none refer to more than two.
Neither of the two roads leads to the village.
For three or more, use none or any, not neither or either.
9
'Both' takes a plural noun and plural verb; 'all' is for more than two.
Both sisters are in the choir, and all the members practise daily.
Do not say 'both the three'. Use 'all the three'.
10
Some is used in positive sentences and offers or requests; any is used in negatives and questions.
I did not buy any fruit, but I bought some bread. Would you like some tea?
In an offer or polite request, some is correct even in a question.
11
Possessive determiners (my, your, his, her, its, our, their) are never used together with an article.
She lost her umbrella and its handle was broken.
Its has no apostrophe. 'It's' means 'it is'.
12
Use 'enough' before a noun, and 'another' with a singular noun only.
We have enough chairs, but we need another table.
'Another' means 'one more'. With plural nouns use 'other' or 'more': 'other tables'.
13
Uncountable nouns such as advice, furniture, information, luggage, news, equipment have no plural and take no 'a/an'.
The teacher gave us some useful information.
Say 'a piece of advice' or 'an item of furniture', never 'an advice' or 'furnitures'.
14
With abbreviations, choose a or an by the sound of the first letter as you say it.
He is an MBA graduate, and she is a UNESCO delegate.
M is said 'em', a vowel sound, so an MBA. UNESCO starts with a 'y' sound, so a. Also: a European, an honest man.
15
Check for a missing or extra 'the' before superlatives, ordinals and unique things.
Mount Everest is the highest peak in the world.
'Highest peak' alone is wrong. Add the. Remove an extra the in 'The Rahul is my friend'.

How to answer Determiners questions

Use this method on any determiner gap or error in Q3. It takes under a minute.

1Read the whole sentence once, not just the line with the blank.
2Find the noun that comes after the blank and decide: singular or plural, countable or uncountable.
3Check the verb in the sentence. It often shows whether the noun is singular or plural.
4Decide the meaning needed: specific (the, this, those), one of many (a, an), quantity (much, few), or ownership (my, their).
5For few/a few or little/a little, ask: is the feeling positive (some) or negative (hardly any)?
6Eliminate options that break a rule, such as 'those' before a singular noun.
7Put your chosen word in and read the sentence aloud in your head. In editing, write only the corrected word in the correction box.

Determiners in real life

The idea, met in an everyday situation. Answer the question in your own words, then compare with the model answer. The one-line hook is what to remember.

Few and a few

Imagine your class has a school trip fund. Before the last date, only a handful of students have paid. The class teacher says she is worried, while the monitor says he is happy that some have already paid.

Write two sentences about the same fund, one expressing worry and one expressing satisfaction, using 'few' and 'a few' correctly. Explain why the two determiners change the feeling. (3 marks)

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

Few means hardly any, so it shows worry or disappointment.
A few means some, enough to count, so it shows satisfaction.
Both go with plural countable nouns, here students.
Mention that the number is the same but the attitude differs.

Answer: The teacher says, 'Few students have paid the fund, so we may have to cancel the trip.' The monitor says, 'A few students have paid already, so we have made a good start.' The determiners change the feeling because few means hardly any and carries a negative sense, while a few means some and carries a positive sense. Both are used with plural countable nouns such as students.

Memory hook: One tiny 'a' turns a sigh into a smile.

Tricks to remember Determiners

Short memory aids. Say each one aloud once, then use it on a question the same day.

FEW is a FAIL, A FEW is a FIT
Few and little feel like failure (hardly any). Adding 'a' makes it fit: some is available.
Use it when: Use when you must choose between few/a few or little/a little in a sentence with a feeling.
MUCH is MUSHY, MANY is MANY
Much is mushy like water or sugar (uncountable). Many sounds like 'many things you can count'.
Use it when: Use to choose between much and many before a noun.
Each-Every-Singular
Say 'Each and every ONE': both words are followed by a singular noun and a singular verb.
Use it when: Use in error correction when you see 'every students have' or 'each of the girls are'.
This-Here, That-There
This and these are 'here' words (close). That and those are 'there' words (far). Then match singular with singular, plural with plural.
Use it when: Use for MCQs that offer these/those/this/that.

Determiners: solved examples

Ordered from board level to HOTS. Try each one before you open the solution.

Example 1: Gap filling with demonstratives · 1 mark · MCQBoard level

Fill in the blank with the correct option: Please note that ________ students who have not submitted the form must meet the coordinator by Monday.
(a) this
(b) that
(c) those
(d) a

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

The noun students is plural, so this, that and a are ruled out.
The sentence points to a specific group not present in the notice, so those fits.
Check: 'those students who have not submitted' reads correctly.

Answer: (c) those

Example 2: Few or a few · 1 mark · MCQBoard level

Fill in the blank with the correct option: Rohan was glad because he had ________ friends at the new school, so he did not feel alone.
(a) few
(b) a few
(c) little
(d) a little

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

Friends is plural and countable, so little and a little are out.
The feeling is positive: he was glad and not alone.
Positive plural quantity needs a few.

Answer: (b) a few

Example 3: Editing: each and every · 1 mark · Short answerBoard level

Identify and correct the error. Every students in the hall received a certificate.
(Error | Correction)

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

Every must be followed by a singular noun.
The noun students is plural, so it is the error.
Correct to student.

Answer: Error: students. Correction: student.

Example 4: Editing: uncountable noun · 1 mark · Short answerHarder board level

Identify and correct the error. The principal gave us many advices about preparing for the board examination.
(Error | Correction)

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

Advice is uncountable and has no plural form.
So 'many advices' is wrong on two counts.
Use much with the uncountable singular: much advice. Or 'some advice'.

Answer: Error: many advices. Correction: much advice (or some advice).

Example 5: Either and neither · 1 mark · MCQHarder board level

Fill in the blank with the correct option: There were three bus routes to the stadium, but ________ of them was open because of the festival procession.
(a) either
(b) neither
(c) none
(d) both

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

Count the things: three routes, not two.
Either and neither are only for two, so (a) and (b) are out.
Both would mean two, and it does not fit the sense that all were closed.
None is used for more than two and takes a singular verb with 'was'.

Answer: (c) none

Example 6: Editing: uncountable noun with a · 1 mark · Short answerHarder board level

Identify and correct the error. The library received a generous donation last week. The librarian has arranged a new furniture for the reading room.
(Error | Correction)

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

Furniture is uncountable, so it cannot take a or an.
The error is 'a new furniture'.
Drop a, or use some.

Answer: Error: a new furniture. Correction: new furniture (or some new furniture).

Example 7: Removing an extra 'the' · 1 mark · Short answerHarder board level

Identify and correct the error. Please return the my notebook after the class.
(Error | Correction)

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

A possessive determiner (my, your, his) already makes the noun definite.
Two determiners of this kind cannot stand together: 'the my' is wrong.
Remove 'the' before 'my'.

Answer: Error: the my. Correction: my ('Please return my notebook after the class.')

Example 8: Choose the correct sentence · 1 mark · MCQHOTS / competency

Which sentence is correct?
(a) Neither of the three students has submitted the form.
(b) None of the three students has submitted the form.
(c) Either of the three students has submitted the form.
(d) Every of the three students has submitted the form.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

Count: three students, so neither and either are out.
Every cannot be followed by 'of the' plus a plural noun.
None is for more than two, so (b) is correct.

Answer: (b) None of the three students has submitted the form.

Example 9: Few and a few in one short report · 1 mark · MCQHOTS / competency

Read the report and choose the option that correctly fills both blanks: 'The new library rule has worked well. (1) ________ students now return their books late, and (2) ________ students have even started donating books to the library.'
(a) (1) Few (2) a few
(b) (1) A few (2) few
(c) (1) Little (2) a few
(d) (1) A little (2) few

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

'The rule has worked well' tells us that late returns are now almost none: the negative sense, so 'Few'.
'Have even started donating' is a positive development by some students: 'a few'.
'Little' and 'a little' go with uncountable nouns, and 'students' is countable, so (c) and (d) are out.

Answer: (a) (1) Few (2) a few. 'Few' gives the sense of hardly any late returns; 'a few' gives the positive sense of some students donating.

Where students lose marks in Determiners

The slips examiners see most often, and what to write instead.

Mistake: Choosing 'few' when the sentence has a positive feeling
Students match the plural noun but ignore the meaning.
Wrong working
He had few friends, so he enjoyed the new school.
Right working
He had a few friends, so he enjoyed the new school.
Do this: Read the second half of the sentence. If it is cheerful, use a few or a little.
Usually costs: 1 mark in Q3 for a wrong MCQ option.
Mistake: Plural noun after every or each
The meaning feels plural, so students write a plural noun.
Wrong working
Every students were given a badge.
Right working
Every student was given a badge.
Do this: Underline every or each and make both the noun and the verb singular.
Usually costs: 1 mark for a missed correction.
Mistake: Treating uncountable nouns as countable
Words like information, advice and furniture look plural in meaning.
Wrong working
She gave me many informations.
Right working
She gave me much information.
Do this: Learn the list: advice, information, furniture, luggage, news, equipment, and never add s.
Usually costs: 1 mark in editing.
Mistake: Using neither or either for more than two
Students forget to count the people or things.
Wrong working
Neither of the three boys came.
Right working
None of the three boys came.
Do this: Count first. Two means either or neither; three or more means any or none.
Usually costs: 1 mark for the wrong option.
Mistake: Writing the whole sentence in the correction box
Students rewrite everything instead of the single faulty word.
Wrong working
Error: Every students. Correction: Every student has a pen.
Right working
Error: students. Correction: student.
Do this: Write only the one wrong word and the one corrected word in the table.
Usually costs: Risk of losing the 1 mark when the answer is unclear.

Exam tips

Count the noun first: singular, plural or uncountable. This alone clears most MCQs.
In few/a few and little/a little items, read the feeling of the whole sentence before choosing.
In editing items, the error is usually one word. Write only that word and its correction.
Words like each, every, either, neither and none show up as traps with verbs. Check the verb too.
If two options look right, check which one fits the meaning of the sentence, not just the grammar.

Practice questions on Determiners

Write each answer on paper first. Open the hint only if you are stuck, and the answer only when you have finished.

Q1 · 1 mark · MCQBoard level
Fill in the blank with the correct option: She spoke softly, so ________ people in the last row could hear her.
(a) a little
(b) few
(c) much
(d) little
Hint
People is plural countable; the effect is negative.
Answer
(b) few. People is plural countable, and the sense is hardly anyone could hear.
Q2 · 1 mark · MCQBoard level
Fill in the blank with the correct option: ________ of the two goalkeepers saved the penalty.
(a) None
(b) Neither
(c) All
(d) Any
Hint
Count: two goalkeepers.
Answer
(b) Neither. It is the word used for two people or things in the negative.
Q3 · 1 mark · MCQBoard level
Fill in the blank with the correct option: Our teacher gave us ________ for the board exams.
(a) an advice
(b) some advices
(c) a few advice
(d) some advice
Hint
Is advice countable?
Answer
(d) some advice. Advice is uncountable, so it takes no a/an and no plural.
Q4 · 1 mark · Short answerHarder board level
Identify and correct the error. Each of the girls have brought her own lunch.
(Error | Correction)
Hint
Each is singular.
Answer
Error: have. Correction: has. Each of takes a singular verb.
Q5 · 1 mark · MCQHarder board level
Fill in the blank with the correct option: Mother gave me ________ milk, so I could make only one cup of tea.
(a) a few
(b) little
(c) few
(d) many
Hint
Milk is uncountable; only one cup means very little.
Answer
(b) little. Milk is uncountable and the sense is negative (hardly any).
Q6 · 1 mark · Short answerHarder board level
Identify and correct the error in this line from an email to the principal: 'I would like to share an useful suggestion about the library timings.'
(Error | Correction)
Hint
Does 'useful' begin with a vowel sound or a consonant sound?
Answer
Error: an. Correction: a. 'Useful' begins with the consonant sound /j/ ('yoo'), so it takes 'a'.
Q7 · 1 mark · MCQHarder board level
Choose the option that correctly fills both blanks in the notice: 'All students of Class 10 will have ________ 8 a.m. extra class and ________ one-hour test on Saturday.'
(a) an, a
(b) a, an
(c) an, an
(d) a, a
Hint
Say the numbers aloud: 'eight' and 'one'.
Answer
(a) an, a. 'Eight' begins with a vowel sound, so 'an 8 a.m. class'; 'one' begins with the sound /w/, so 'a one-hour test'.
Q8 · 1 mark · Short answerHarder board level
Identify and correct the error. The two monitors checked both rooms, but neither of the classrooms are clean.
(Error | Correction)
Hint
Neither of takes a singular verb.
Answer
Error: are. Correction: is. Neither of takes a singular verb.
Q9 · 1 mark · MCQBoard level
Fill in the blank with the correct option: He is ________ honest man, and his brother is ________ European delegate.
(a) a, an
(b) an, a
(c) an, an
(d) a, a
Hint
Listen to the first sound, not the letter.
Answer
(b) an, a. Honest begins with a vowel sound; European begins with a 'y' sound.
Q10 · 1 mark · Short answerBoard level
Identify and correct the error. Mount Everest is highest peak in the world.
(Error | Correction)
Hint
Look for a missing article before a superlative.
Answer
Error: highest peak. Correction: the highest peak.
Q11 · 1 mark · MCQHarder board level
Fill in the blank with the correct option: There isn't ________ milk left in the fridge, so we will have black tea today.
(a) some
(b) any
(c) many
(d) few
Hint
The sentence is negative, and milk is uncountable.
Answer
(b) any. 'Any' is used in negative sentences; 'many' and 'few' go with countable nouns, and 'some' does not fit the negative 'isn't'.
Q12 · 1 mark · MCQBoard level
Fill in the blank with the correct option: The two captains shook hands, and ________ of them smiled for the photograph.
(a) all
(b) both
(c) none
(d) every
Hint
Count: two captains.
Answer
(b) both. Both is for two persons or things.
Q13 · 1 mark · MCQHOTS / competency
Read the email and choose the correct option for the blank: 'Dear Mr Rao, The two parcels of books that we ordered were due last week. ________ of them has arrived yet, so please let us know the new delivery date.'
(a) Both
(b) Neither
(c) Either
(d) Each
Hint
Count the parcels, check the singular verb, and the word yet.
Answer
(b) Neither. There are two parcels, the verb 'has' is singular and the sense is negative ('not one of the two'). 'Both' needs 'have'; 'Either' and 'Each' do not give the negative meaning that 'yet' and the request show.

Test your recall

Answer in your head or on paper first, then open the card. Pulling an answer out of memory makes it stick far better than re-reading.

1.What is a determiner?Show answer
A word placed before a noun to show which one, how many or whose, such as the, this, few, my.
2.Which determiners go with uncountable nouns?Show answer
Much, little, a little, some, any, enough. Never a few, many or several.
3.What is the difference between 'little' and 'a little'?Show answer
Little means hardly any (negative). A little means some (positive).
4.What follows each and every?Show answer
A singular noun and a singular verb.
5.When do you use neither or either?Show answer
Only when two persons or things are being talked about.
6.Why is 'an advice' wrong?Show answer
Advice is uncountable, so it takes no a/an and has no plural.

Determiners: frequently asked questions

What are determiners in Class 10 grammar?

Determiners are words that come before a noun and tell us which, how many or whose. They include articles, demonstratives, quantifiers and possessives. In the board paper they appear as gap fills, MCQs and error corrections.

How do I decide between few and a few?

Look at the feeling. Few means hardly any and sounds negative, while a few means some and sounds positive. Both go with plural countable nouns.

Can I use 'much' with plural nouns?

No. Much goes with uncountable nouns like water or advice, and many goes with plural countable nouns like books. In negative sentences and questions, much is common with uncountable nouns.

Is 'every' followed by a plural noun?

No. Every is always followed by a singular noun and a singular verb, as in 'Every student has a book'.

How are determiners tested in the board paper?

They come in Q3 as one of twelve 1-mark items, of which you attempt ten. You may get a gap fill with options, or an error and correction line.