Determiners Uses and purpose with their Examples

Determiners used before countable nouns

Purpose

Example

Many

to express variety or quantity

I have many friends in college.

So many

to express a large quantity or extent

There are so many nice clothes at this shop.

Too many

to express extremely large quantity but in a negative sense

Kate has too many

Shoes in her cupboard.

How many

to ask questions

How many bottles of water should I buy?

Few

to express small quantity or extent but in a negative sense

Aslam has few socks left for winters.

A few

to express small quantity or extent but in a positive sense

I will borrow a few books from the library tomorrow.

Much

to express variety or quantity mostly in negative sentences

I don’t know much about physics.

So much

to express a large quantity or extent

Thank you for showing so much faith in me.

Too much

to express extremely large quantity but in a negative sense

John shows too much leniency with the kids.

How much

to ask questions

How much sugar do you take in your tea?

Little

to express small quantity or extent but in a negative sense

I have little hope of winning the race tonight.

A Little

to express small quantity or extent but in a positive sense

We will have a little juice at the restaurant.

Determiners used before countable nouns and  uncountable nouns

Purpose

Example

Somewhere

to express an uncertain place

I want to go somewhere peaceful

Someone

to express an uncertain person

Please send someone who has knowledge about computers.

Something

to express an uncertain object or feeling

Something is wrong with my phone.

Any

to express an uncertain amount in negative sentences and questions

I don’t want to buy any DVDs.

Anywhere

to express an uncertain place

They are not going anywhere tonight.