Determiners come before nouns and tell us something about their number, definiteness, proximity, and ownership.

Indefinite article – a/an, any, some, that, those, this, whichever, whatever

Grammar: The Structure of Language, Rachel Grenon, Wooden Books, Bloomsbury

Grammar: The Structure of Language, Rachel Grenon, Wooden Books, Bloomsbury

Determiners come before nouns and tell us something about their number, definiteness, proximity, and ownership.

Definite article – the

The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language

The definite article, functioning as an adjective. It is used: 1. Before singular or plural nouns and noun phrases that denote particular specified persons or things. 2. Before a singular noun, making it generic: the human arm. 3. Before a noun, and generally stressed, emphasizing its uniqueness or prominence: That’s THE show to see this year. 4. Before a title of rank or office, designating its holder: The President arrives tomorrow. 5. Before an adjective, extending it to signify a class and giving it the function of a noun: the rich; the beautiful. 6. Before an adjective used absolutely: the finest we have to offer. 7. Before a present participle, signifying the action in the abstract: the weaving of rugs. 8. Before a noun, with the force of per: at a dollar the box.

If you've been following this blog, you know that, on occasion, I've found myself drawn to exploring grammar. From viewer comments, I've determined these explorations are popular. Grammar, for whatever reason, activates particular interest, even as it triggers dismay (people feel a lack of command). For the next few weeks, I plan to dip into Grammar: The Structure of Language, one of Bloomsbury Publisher's Wooden Books series. Author is Rachel Grenon. If you haven't discovered Wooden Books yet, I hope you'll take a look. They don't take up a terrible lot of space, and there's something there for everyone.

First up, Determiners. Grenon writes:

Determiners come before nouns and tell us something about their number, definiteness, proximity, and ownership.

To exist I must be seen to be seen I must be more than nothing more than thoughts and perception I must be physical with edges to show clearly where I begin where I end just how much space I take up and what I am.

Ghost, in Ghost, by Sarah Tourjee

Am I looking for remnants, or something that's whole?

Human, in Ghost, by Sarah Tourjee