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What is the difference between a determiner and an adjective?

Determiners and adjectives both modify nouns, but they have distinct roles and functions:

Determiners:

* Specify: They tell us *which* noun we're talking about.

* Quantify: They tell us *how much* or *how many* of the noun.

* Possess: They indicate *who owns* the noun.

* Position: They determine the *order* of the noun.

Examples:

* Articles: *the, a, an*

* "The dog" (specific dog)

* "A dog" (any dog)

* Demonstratives: *this, that, these, those*

* "That book" (specific book)

* Quantifiers: *some, any, few, many, all, every*

* "Some apples" (unspecified amount)

* "All students" (all students)

* Possessives: *my, your, his, her, its, our, their*

* "My car" (car belonging to me)

Adjectives:

* Describe: They provide information about the *qualities* of the noun.

* Modify: They change the meaning of the noun by adding detail.

Examples:

* Color: *red, blue, green*

* "Red car"

* Size: *big, small, tall, short*

* "Big house"

* Shape: *round, square, long, thin*

* "Round table"

Key Differences:

* Placement: Determiners usually precede the noun, while adjectives can appear before or after the noun (with some exceptions).

* Function: Determiners specify or quantify, while adjectives describe.

* Type: Determiners are a closed class (a limited set), while adjectives are an open class (constantly expanding).

Example:

* "The big red car"

* The: Determiner (specific car)

* Big: Adjective (describes size)

* Red: Adjective (describes color)

* Car: Noun

In summary, determiners provide essential information about the noun, while adjectives add details and descriptions.

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