Word order and determiners

We usually put only one determiner in front of a noun or noun phrase; and the determiner is nearly always the first word in a noun phrase: e.g. a new pen. We can never use two of the following before a noun: a, the, this, that, these, those, my your, his, her, Susan's, etc. So, for example, we can say:

the pen or my pen but we cannot use the and my together in front of a noun or noun phrase. Some words (called pre-determiners) can come before articles and other determiners: for example both and all [> 5.18].

The indefinite article 'a/an¹

The indefinite article: 'a/an'

3.5 Form and use of 'a/an', zero article and 'some'

a/an and zero for classification/identification [> 3.9]

Singular plural singular plural

a book books It's a book They're books

an egg eggs It's an egg They're eggs

a/an and some referring to quantity [> 3.10]

a book some books I've got a book I've got some books

an egg some eggs I've got an egg I've got some eggs