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: A determiner refers to a word that is used to modify nouns. Determiners are always placed in front of a noun or an adjective that is used to describe a noun.

Complete Answer: As given in the hint, ‘determiners’ help in indicating what a noun refers to in a sentence.
Now, let’s look at the different types of determiners-
Definite and indefinite articles- ‘A, an and the’ are determiners that are used before a noun.
Demonstratives- ‘This, that, these, those’ are determiners that are used to indicate which object is being referred to.
Quantifiers- ‘Few, a little, some, any’ are determiners that are used to indicate the quantity of something.
In the given question: We know that ‘knowledge’ is an abstract and an uncountable noun.
Let’s understand the usage of the given options-
Option a- ‘Few’ is a quantifier that is used with plural countable nouns. In the given sentence, ‘knowledge’ is an uncountable noun. Hence, it is an incorrect option.
Option b- ‘A little’ is a quantifier that is used with singular uncountable nouns. In the given sentence, ‘knowledge’ is an uncountable noun. Hence, it is the correct option.
Option c- ‘Some’ is a quantifier that is used with both countable and uncountable nouns. It indicates an unspecified amount of something. Hence, it is an incorrect option.
Option d- ‘Any’ is a quantifier that has the same meaning as ‘some’. But it is used to ask questions. Hence, it is an incorrect option.
The correct answer is Option ‘b’.

Note: Keep in mind that determiners are never placed after a noun or an adjective. It is necessary to use a determiner before a singular noun.