Which term describes a word class that includes 'a' and 'every' used before a noun to indicate quantity or identity?

• A. Determiner
• B. Pronoun
• C. Preposition
• D. Adjective

Answer: (A)

Determin ers are a class of words that come before a noun to set which thing we’re talking about and how many there are. The words a and every are classic examples: a cat introduces one indefinite item, while every student refers to all members of the group. They don’t describe qualities of the noun like adjectives do, and they don’t stand in for the noun like pronouns, nor do they show spatial or other relationships like prepositions. Instead, determiners determine the reference of the noun phrase by indicating quantity or identity, which is exactly what a and every are doing in those phrases.