Hindi to English Translation Book / eBook

What is a Determiner?

Determiners are words that come before a noun to specify or identify that noun. After using a determiner, the noun must follow. Sometimes, there might be a qualifying word between the determiner and the noun.

Examples:

• The book is on the table. (Here, "the" specifies which book.)
• A dog is barking. ("A" tells us it's one dog, but not which one.)

To use determiners correctly, you need to understand a few things about the noun they come before:

1. Whether the noun is countable or uncountable.
2. Whether the noun is singular or plural if it’s countable.

Types of Nouns:

1. Countable Nouns: These are nouns that can be counted. For example: apple, boy, chair, dog. These can be singular or plural.
• Singular Countable Nouns: One item (e.g., a dog, a chair).
• Plural Countable Nouns: More than one item (e.g., dogs, chairs).
2. Uncountable Nouns: These are nouns that cannot be counted individually or are difficult to count. Examples include milk, sugar, tea, air, and water. Uncountable nouns don’t have plural forms.

 

Key Determiners:

Some common determiners include: a, an, the, some, any, little, few, many, much, this, that, these, those, etc.

 

Use of 'A' and 'An' (Indefinite Articles)

The use of "a" and "an" depends on the sound that follows:

• 'A' is used before words that start with a consonant sound (e.g., a man, a boy, a dog).
• 'An' is used before words that start with a vowel sound (e.g., an apple, an hour, an umbrella).

Examples:

• I saw a dog.
• He is an engineer.

Key Rules for Using 'A' and 'An':

1. For singular countable nouns that are mentioned for the first time:
• I have a pen.
• She bought a car.
2. For professions or job titles:
• She is a teacher.
• He is an actor.
3. Before adjectives when describing a noun:
• He is a tall man.
• She wore an old dress.
4. For expressions of quantity:
• It costs a hundred rupees.
• I read a few books.
5. In exclamatory sentences:
• What a beautiful flower!
• What an amazing performance!
6. For “such” phrases:
• It was such a good idea.
• It was such an interesting story.

 

Using "A" and "An" with Titles and Abbreviations:

• A Mr. Sharma, an M.A., an M.Sc. (for unacquainted people, showing we don’t know them personally).

Special Notes:

• "A" and "an" represent "one" in English.
• Birds of a feather flock together.
• A man of honor.

In conclusion, determiners help identify or specify nouns, and their use depends on whether the noun is countable or uncountable, singular or plural. 'A' and 'an' are indefinite articles that help indicate something in a general sense.

Use of 'The' – Definite Article

"The" is a definite article, and it is used before singular and plural nouns in the following situations:

1. When a noun has been mentioned before:
• Example: I saw a lion. The lion was sleeping under a tree.
• The first sentence mentions a lion, and in the second sentence, "the" refers to that specific lion.
2. Before adjectives in the superlative degree:
• Example: Ravi is the best singer in the school.
• Note: When possessive adjectives like "my," "his," "her," etc., are used, "the" is not used with superlative adjectives.
• Example: He is my best friend.
3. Before a noun identified by a phrase or clause:
• Example: The girl in the blue skirt is my sister.
• Example: The man with a little nose is our Principal.
4. Before a singular noun that refers to an entire class or species:
• Example: The dog is a faithful animal. (Referring to all dogs)
5. Before names of rivers, seas, oceans, bays, deserts, mountain ranges, canals, forests, and plural country names:
• Example: The Ganga, The Himalayas, The USA.
6. Before adjectives used as nouns:
• Example: The brave always rule over the earth.      (Referring to all brave people)
7. Before unique or one-of-a-kind objects:
• Example: The sun, the moon, the earth.
8. Before names of directions:
• Example: The east, the west, the north.
9. Before names of certain places or organizations that follow an adjective + noun structure:
• Example: The National Highway, the Gold Coast.
10. Before religious books, musical instruments, and ordinal numbers:
• Example: The Bible, the violin, the first.
11. In comparative constructions where something happens twice:
• Example: The more you have, the more you want.
12. When comparing a person to a famous person, place, or object:
• Example: Kalidas is the Shakespeare of India.
13. Before names of religions, communities, nationalities, political parties, ships, trains, and airplanes:
• Example: The Hindus, the English, the Congress.
14. Before plural surnames that refer to the whole family:
• Example: The Guptas, the Sharmas.
15. Before body parts when no possessive noun is used:
• Example: He caught her by the hair.
16. Before dates and important national days:
• Example: The 25th July, the Republic Day.
17. Before words like "same," "only," "opposite," "front," "end," "beginning":
• Example: The same scene, the only son.
18. With phrases like "all the," "some of the," "one of the," "each of the" before plural nouns:
• Example: All the boys, some of the students.

 

 

Omission of the Definite Article 'The'

The definite article "the" is not used in the following situations:

1. Before proper nouns (names of people, places) or abstract nouns (ideas, feelings):
• Example: Arjun was a great archer.
• Example: Gold is more expensive than silver.
2. When referring to a common noun in a general sense:
• Example: Man is mortal.
3. Before names of languages, subjects, public places, games, diseases, and regular meals:
• Example: I am learning French.
• Example: We go to school regularly.
4. Before names of countries, colors, and festivals:
• Example: India has a rich culture.
5. Before months, days, and seasons (except when talking about specific seasons like "The spring"):
• Example: January is the first month of the year.
6. Before the word "God" when it refers to the deity:
• Example: He prayed to God for help.
7. After phrases like "kind of" and "sort of":
• Example: What kind of man is he?
8. Before words like church, school, hospital, prison, bed when used for their main purpose:
• Example: My son goes to school (for studying).
9. Before possessive nouns (like "Mohan's house" or "Hari's book"):
• Example: This is Mohan's house.
10. After possessive adjectives (like "my," "his," "her"):
• Example: This is my house.
11. Before body parts when possessive adjectives or nouns are used:
• Example: His right hand.

 

 

Use of "Some" and "Any"

Some

Meaning: "Some" refers to an unknown or indefinite number or quantity. It can be used with both countable and uncountable nouns.

1. Affirmative Sentences (Positive sentences):
• "Some" is used in positive sentences.
• Examples:
• There is some milk in the pot. (Uncountable Noun - "milk")
• There is someone on the road. (Singular Countable Noun - "someone")
• Some boys are playing there. (Plural Countable Noun - "boys")
2. Request Sentences (When asking for something):
• "Some" is used in requests, even when the sentence ends with a question mark.
• Examples:
• Will you please lend me some money? (Not "any" here)
• Will you spare some time for me? (Not "any" here)
3. Command Sentences (Giving orders or suggestions):
• "Some" is used in command sentences, even when the sentence ends with a question mark.
• Examples:
• Why don’t you give him some oranges?
• Why don’t you help someone in trouble?
4. Invitation Sentences (Inviting someone):
• "Some" is used when inviting someone, even when the sentence ends with a question mark.
• Example: Will you please visit us some day?

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Any

Meaning: "Any" refers to an indefinite quantity or number, just like "some," but is often used in different types of sentences.

1. Negative Sentences (Sentences with "not"):
• "Any" is used in negative sentences.
• Examples:
• He did not do any work. (Uncountable Noun - "work")
• I don’t want any money. (Uncountable Noun - "money")
2. Interrogative Sentences (Questions):
• "Any" is used in questions.
• Examples:
• Have you any book? (Singular Countable Noun - "book")
• Are there any pens in the drawer? (Plural Countable Noun - "pens")
3. After Certain Words:
• After words like "hardly," "scarcely," "never," "barely," "if," "whether," and others, "any" is used even in affirmative sentences.
• Examples:
• He has hardly any money.
• There is scarcely any garden in a desert.
• The teacher asked if we had any questions.
4. In Affirmative Sentences (to mean "one of many"):
• "Any" can be used in positive sentences to refer to one item or person from a group.
• Examples:
• Take any book you like.
• Any policeman will tell you the way.
• Any colour will do.

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Difference Between "Some" and "Any"

• "Some" is generally used in affirmative (positive) sentences.
• "Any" is used in negative and interrogative (question) sentences.

Examples:

• Some (affirmative): There is some food on the table.
• Any (negative): I don't have any food.
• Any (question): Do you have any food?

Key Difference:

• Some = Used in positive sentences or requests/invitations.
• Any = Used in negative or question sentences.

 

 

Use of "Many" and "Much"

1. Many:
   "Many" refers to number and is used with countable nouns in plural form.
• Examples:
• Hari has many story books.
• I have many friends.
• I don’t have many cars.
2. Much:
   "Much" refers to quantity and is used with uncountable nouns in singular form.
• Examples:
• He has not much gold and silver.
• I don’t have much milk.
• Did you buy much food?

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Rules for Using "Many" and "Much"

1. Negative/Interrogative Sentences:
   "Many" and "Much" are only used in negative or interrogative sentences, not in affirmative ones.
• Negative Sentences:
• Mohan hasn’t much money.
• I don’t have many friends.
• They haven’t got much luggage.
• I didn’t take many photographs.
• I don’t drink much coffee.
• Interrogative Sentences:
• Did she buy much sugar?
• Did she buy many books?
• How much money do you want?
• How many photographs did you take?
• Do you drink much tea?
• Did you teach many boys in the class?
2. Affirmative Sentences with Subject:
   "Much" and "Many" can also be used in affirmative sentences when referring to a subject or for emphasis.
• Examples:
• Many men attended the function.
• Much money was wasted to improve the condition of the poor.
3. Affirmative Sentences with "Solas/Too":
   In affirmative sentences, "many" or "much" can be used with "so" or "too" for extra emphasis.
• Examples:
• There are too many cars on the road.
• I have got so much work to do.
• He had so much money as you.
4. Affirmative Sentences with "A Good/Great":
   "Many" can be used in affirmative sentences with "a good" or "a great" before it.
• Example:
• Her son made a good many friends in the village.

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Summary:

• "Many" is used with countable plural nouns (e.g., books, cars, friends).
• "Much" is used with uncountable singular nouns (e.g., milk, money, food).
• Use "many" and "much" mainly in negative or interrogative sentences. In affirmative sentences, they can be used with emphasis words like "so" or "too," or with "a good" or "a great."

 

 

Use of Little, A Little, and The Little

1. Little:
   "Little" means very little or hardly any. It is used with uncountable nouns and gives a negative meaning.
• Examples:
• I am very busy. I have little time for playing.
  (I have almost no time for playing.)
• He has little money. He is very poor.
  (He has almost no money.)
• There is little milk in the jug. It is nearly empty.
  (There is hardly any milk.)
• He is very serious. There is little hope of his recovery.
  (There is almost no hope of his recovery.)
2. A Little:
   "A little" means some or a small amount. It is used with uncountable nouns and gives a positive meaning.
• Examples:
• A little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
  (Even a small amount of knowledge can be dangerous.)
• There is a little milk in the jug.
  (There is a small amount of milk in the jug.)
• He has a little money.
  (He has a small amount of money.)
• I took a little food in the morning.
  (I had a small amount of food in the morning.)
3. The Little:
   "The little" means all the small amount or whatever little there is. It is used with uncountable nouns and refers to the entire small quantity.
• Examples:
• He wasted the little time he had.
  (He wasted all the time he had, though it was very little.)
• I gave the beggar the little money I had.
  (I gave all the money I had, though it was very little.)
• I ate the little food you gave me.
  (I ate all the food you gave me, though it was very little.)
• Do not waste the little energy you possess.
  (Do not waste all the energy you have, though it is little.)

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Comparison of Little, A Little, and The Little

• Little = Hardly any, almost none (Negative).
• Example: There is little milk in the glass.
  (There is almost no milk in the glass.)
• A Little = Some amount, though not much (Positive).
• Example: There is a little milk in the glass.
  (There is a small amount of milk in the glass.)
• The Little = Not much, but all of it (Positive).
• Example: He drank the little milk that was in the glass.
  (He drank all the milk, though it was very little.)

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Use of Few, A Few, and The Few

1. Few:
   "Few" means not many or hardly any. It is used with plural countable nouns and gives a negative meaning.
• Examples:
• There were few people at the meeting.
  (There were very few people, almost none.)
• He has read few books.
  (He has read very few books.)
• He has few friends, so he often feels lonely.
  (He has hardly any friends.)
2. A Few:
   "A few" means some or at least a small number. It is used with plural countable nouns and gives a positive meaning.
• Examples:
• We received a few letters today.
  (We received some letters today.)
• Only a few boys passed in English.
  (Only some boys passed in English.)
• A few persons were invited to tea.
  (Only a few people were invited to tea.)
3. The Few:
   "The few" means all the small number or whatever few there are. It is used with plural countable nouns and refers to the entire small number.
• Examples:
• The few friends he had deserted him when he was in trouble.
  (All the few friends he had left him when he was in trouble.)
• The few oranges in the basket were rotten.
  (All the few oranges in the basket were rotten.)
• I have already read the few books I had.
  (I have read all the books I had, though they were few.)
• I gave the beggar the few rupees I had.
  (I gave all the rupees I had, though they were few.)

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Comparison of Few, A Few, and The Few

• Few = Not many, hardly any (Negative).
• Example: I have few books on English.
  (I have almost no books on English.)
• A Few = Some, at least a small number (Positive).
• Example: I have a few books on English.
  (I have some books on English.)
• The Few = All the small number of things or people (Positive).
• Example: I have read the few books I have on English.
  (I have read all the books I have on English, though they are few.)

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Difference Between Few and Little

• Few and A Few are used with countable nouns (e.g., books, people) and with plural nouns.
• Little and A Little are used with uncountable nouns (e.g., milk, money) and with singular nouns.

  

Use of Each and Every

1. Each is used when thinking about individuals separately in a group of two or more people or things.
   Every is used when thinking about all members of a group without separating them.
• Examples:
• Each of the two girls was present.
• My father will punish each of you.
• Every word of this letter is correct.
• He knows every boy of the class.
• Each question carries equal marks.
• Each student was given a paper sheet.
• Every student is expected to work hard.
• General rule: Each is often used for smaller numbers, and Every for larger groups.

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Use of None

"None" means not any or none of them. It is used in affirmative sentences and does not require a noun after it unless it is followed by of and a noun or pronoun.

• Examples:
• None was sleeping in the room.
• None of the girls failed in school.
• We visited several places, but none fascinated us.

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Use of No/Not Any

• No is used as an adjective before a noun to mean not any or none.
• Examples:
• I have no work these days.
• She has no children.
• There is no garden.
• Not any can also be used in place of no.
• Example: I have not any work these days.

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Use of This, That, These, Those

• This and That are used with singular countable nouns (one thing, person, or place).
• These and Those are used with plural countable nouns (more than one thing, person, or place).
• This and These refer to things that are close, while That and Those refer to things that are far away.
• Examples:
• This student is my brother.
• These books are ours.
• That cow is mine.
• Those flowers are beautiful.
• Note: This is not used twice in the same sentence.
• Example: What is this? → That is a pen.
• That can also refer to an event or something said by a person.
• Example:
• A: I'm sorry, I am late.
• B: That's all right.
• A: You are lazy.
• B: That's true!

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Use of Both, All, Most

o    Both is used before of + Noun/Pronoun. Both refers to two.

All refers to everyone (things, places, or people).

Most refers to the majority.

• Examples:
• Both of them were wise.
• All of us were tired.
• Most children like playing.
• All countries have a national flag.
• All the students were watching the match.

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Use of Either, Neither

1. Either means one of the two.
2. Neither means none of the two.
• Both are followed by a singular noun.
• Examples:
• Either room is good.
• Either road leads to Jaipur.
• My brother lost either his purse or his pen.
• Either you or Ram was sleeping on the bench.
• Neither fan is satisfactory.
• Neither hotel is very good.
• You can keep either of these books.

• Note: When All/Most/Some/Any/None/Both/Either/Neither is followed by a pronoun, use of.
• Examples:
• Most of them like playing.
• All of us are going out tonight.
• When Both/Either/Neither is followed by a noun with a determiner, of is used.
• Examples:
• Neither of the boys was present.
• Neither boy was present.

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Use of Various, Several

• Various means different types or many kinds of things. It is used with plural nouns.
• Example: Various books were lying on the table.
• Several means more than a few but not many. It is also used with plural nouns.
• Examples:
• He sold several fans.
• Several girls are playing in the field.
• Several books were lying on the table.
• Comparison:
• Many refers to a large quantity of similar items.
• Several refers to a smaller, but balanced quantity.

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Use of Such, Such a

1. Such means like this or like that. It is used with plural countable nouns or uncountable nouns.
• Example:
• He does not like such things.
2. Such a means one like this or one like that. It is used with singular countable nouns.
• Example:
• Such a girl is not fit for the role.

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Use of Less, Fewer

• Less is used for uncountable nouns to refer to smaller quantities.
• Example:
• We have less time for this work.
• Fewer is used for countable nouns to refer to smaller numbers.
• Example:
• We have fewer books to read.

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Use of Enough, Not Enough

• Enough means sufficient. It is used before uncountable nouns or plural countable nouns.
• Example:
• I have enough money.
• She has enough books on English grammar.
• Not enough means insufficient.
• Example:
• She does not have enough money.

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Use of Lots of, A Great Deal of, A Good Deal of, Plenty of, A Large Number of

These phrases all mean many or a lot of. They can be used with singular uncountable nouns or plural countable nouns.

• Examples:
• I have a lot of friends.
• There are a good deal of students in the class.
• Sita does not drink lots of milk.
• Ravi puts a great deal of sugar in his tea.
• Plenty of people are coming to attend the function.
• A large number of students were present on the annual day.