The general way

1.208 General determiners are used in noun groups when you are talking about people or things in a general or indefinite way without identifying them.

Here is a list of general determiners:

a all an another any

both each either enough every

few little many more most

much neither no other several

some

'A', and 'an' are the commonest general determiners; they are sometimes called the indefinite article. For more information about 'a' and 'an', see paragraphs 1.213 to 1.220.

For more information about the other general determiners, see paragraphs 1.221 to 1.235.

with count nouns 1.209 'A' and 'an' are used with singular count nouns, and indicate that you are talking about just one of something that is countable.

'Another' is used with singular count nouns and 'other' with plural count nouns, but only after one or more of the same type of person or thing has been mentioned.

'Any' can be used with singular and plural count nouns to talk about one or more people or things. 'Enough', 'few', 'many', 'more', 'most', 'several', and 'some' are used with plural count nouns to indicate that a number of people or things are being referred to. Each of these determiners indicates a different set or group within the total number. For more information about their meanings, see the section beginning at paragraph 1.221.

'All', 'both', 'each', 'either', and 'every' indicate that you are talking about the total number of people or things involved. 'Both' and 'either' specify that only two people or things are involved. 'Both' is used with a plural noun, and 'either' with a singular noun. 'All', 'each', and 'every' usually indicate that there are more than two. 'All' is used with plural nouns, and 'each' and 'every' with a singular noun.

'No' and 'neither' also refer to the total number of things involved, but in negative statements. 'No' is used with singular or plural nouns, and 'neither' only with singular nouns. 'No' and 'neither' are not dealt with detail here, as they are fully treated in the section on negation in Chapter 4.

For more information about count nouns, see paragraphs 1.16 to 1.23.

with uncount nouns 1.210 For nouns which are usually regarded as uncountable, 'any', 'enough', 'little', 'more', 'most', 'much', 'other', and 'some' are used to indicate a quantity of something. 'No' and 'all' indicate the total quantity of it.

For more information about uncount nouns, see paragraphs 1.24 to 1.34.

WARNING 1.211 'A', 'an', 'another', 'both', 'each', 'either', 'every', 'few', 'many', 'neither', 'other', and 'several' are not usually used with uncount nouns.

using nouns without determiners 1.212 When you are referring to things or people in an indefinite way, you can sometimes use a noun without a determiner.

...raising money from industry, government, and trusts.

Permission should be asked before visitors are invited.

Uncount nouns are usually used without a determiner.

Health and education are matters that most voters feel strongly about.

Wealth, like power, tends to corrupt.

Plural nouns are used without a determiner when you are referring to all the people or things of a particular kind.

Dogs need a regular balanced diet, not just a meat.

Are there any jobs that men can do that women can't?

Plural nouns can also be used without a determiner to refer to an unspecified number of things.

Teachers should read stories to children.

Cats and dogs get fleas.

For more information about plural nouns, see paragraphs 1.42 to 1.47.