Question

Fill in the blank with the most appropriate determiner.
_______ knowledge is a dangerous thing.
(a) Few
(b) A little
(c) Some
(d) Any

Answer 1

Hint: Read the given sentence and try to understand the information it is trying to convey. Now go through the options, recall what they signify, and choose the one that fits the context of the sentence, and helps it to convey the information in the best possible way.

Complete answer:
We use determiners to indicate the quantity or amount of something or someone. For example- a few books, little oil, etc.
Let’s look at the functions of different determiners-
i. Few- It is a determiner that is used to indicate a scarce number or amount of something. It is also used with plural countable nouns. For example- Few girls entered the building last night.
ii. A little- It is a determiner that is used to a small quantity or amount of something. ‘Little’ is used with uncountable nouns. For example- Please add a little salt to the milk.
iii. Some- It is a determiner that is used to denote indefinite quantities. ‘Some’ can be used with both countable and uncountable nouns. For example- Bring some books for me as well.
iv. Any- It is a determiner that has the same function as ‘some’ but it is often used for asking questions. For example- Do you have any pencil?
In the given question- We know that ‘knowledge’ is an uncountable noun. Hence, we need to use the determiner ‘a little’ to modify the uncountable noun ‘knowledge’.
Hence, the correct answer is- A little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
Let’s look at the given options-
Option a- ‘Few’ is an incorrect option because it is used with countable nouns.
Option b- ‘A little’ is the correct option because it is used with uncountable nouns.
Option c- ‘Some’ is an incorrect option because it is used to denote indefinite quantities.
Option d- ‘Any’ is an incorrect option because it is used to denote unspecified quantities.
The correct answer is Option ‘b’.

Note:
Keep in mind, the use of a determiner depends upon the type of noun- Plural or Singular. Also, quantifiers and determiners help in modifying the nouns.