THE SEMI-DETERMINATIVES: SUCH, WHAT, CERTAIN, SAME, (AN)OTHER, FORMER, LATTER
These words (except such) are sometimes classed as adjectives. However, they do not describe the referent and appear to have a specifying function. They precede either a definite or an indefinite determiner.
Such and exclamatory what are among the few elements of this kind which precede the indefinite article. They require a(n) before a singular count noun, zero before non- count and plural nouns. Such a nuisance! What a mess!
Such classifies an entity by kind or intensifies it by degree. It usually relates to something already mentioned in the discourse.
Classifying: (= of that kind)
I’ve never heard of such an animal.
Such cruelty is incomprehensible.
Such people are dangerous.
Intensifying:
Don’t be such a fool! They are such idiots! (= of that degree)
Certain, by contrast, follows a(n) or is followed by zero. It helps to pick out a specific, but as yet not identified, person or thing:
There is a certain opposition to the Government’s proposals. A certain person in this room might disagree with you.
Same indicates that the person or thing referred to is exactly like one previously mentioned.
He always asks the same two questions.
Another (+ singular count noun) has two meanings: (a) it indicates that the entity referred to is different from one already mentioned; and (b) it refers to a subsequent entity of the same kind as the one already mentioned in the discourse. The indefinite plural other (+ plural count noun) is used mainly in the first sense.
(a) Couldn’t you choose another title? (= a different title)
(b) Would you like another beer? (= of the same, not of a different kind)
I saw him the other day. We talked about other things.
Former and latter refer back to the first and the second respectively of two entities already mentioned. They are preceded by the definite article and can occur together with the ’s possessive determinative.
Bill and Steve both made proposals. The former’s was rejected, the latter’s approved.
Former is also used adjectivally with the meaning of ‘previous’ when referring to jobs, positions or roles. In this function it may be preceded by a possessive determinative such as my, your.
A former President of the Royal Society.
His former partner has set up business on his own.
Note that such and the same can function as substitute heads, as in:
Is this a dangerous area? I wouldn’t consider it as such (= a dangerous area)
Alice had a cola and Sue had the same (= a cola)
