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For the determiner in English, I learn that they are used in many different situations. For example, a is used before a noun. However, sometimes I misuse it. Therefore, I would like to understand it, so I can write my sentence correctly.

For example,

I have a vector of random variables.

As I understand, a in this sentence is a determiner used to identify the vector, not the random variables. Hence, it is correct to say:

Let X be a vector of random variables.

Because in this sentence, the determiner a refers to the vector X and did not refer to the random variables. Is that correct? if not, then, why?

However, similar to this sentence, I would like to specify the dimension of this vector. So, is it ok to say:

Let X be an n-dimensional vector of random variables.

Or I must not use the determiner an here because n-dimensional is plural in its meaning. Is that correct?

So, which sentence is correct?

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  • 3
    About the word, "purple" in your question: is it possible you mean, "plural" [meaning "two or more"]? ... And not just in this question, but also other questions you have recently asked? ... ["Purple" being a color-name]
    – Lorel C.
    Jan 13, 2019 at 6:18
  • Unable to edit it though, sorry.
    – Lorel C.
    Jan 13, 2019 at 6:28
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    n-dimensional is an adjective, not a noun. It cannot be plural/singular any more than, say, long or red
    – Jyrki Lahtonen
    Jan 13, 2019 at 7:13
  • +1 @JyrkiLahtonen Thank you so much. I really learn a new thing.
    – Maryam
    Jan 13, 2019 at 7:32
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    The main function of a determiner is to mark an NP as definite or indefinite.
    – BillJ
    Jan 13, 2019 at 8:25

1 Answer 1

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Yes, that's correct.

The essential noun in the sentence is vector, which requires an indefinite article:

I have a vector.

This doesn't change if you qualify it with an additional noun phrase, no matter if that additional portion of the noun phrase is singular or plural:

I have a vector (of X and Y).

Nor does it change if you use an adjective in front of it, regardless of the singularity or plurality of the adjective:

I have a (Z) vector (of X and Y).

The consideration of the article is based only on the noun itself, not how it's being modified by other things.

I say that, but in the one example you gave, the form of the indefinite article changes from a to an because of the vowel sound of n-dimensional that comes immediately after it:

Let X be an n-dimensional vector of random variables.

But if the adjective started with a consonant sound, you would use a again:

Let X be a four-dimensional vector of random variables.

Both a and an are used for a singular noun: vector in this case.

If vector itself became plural, then the indefinite article would be dropped because you would no longer have a single vector:

I have vectors.
I have vectors of random variables.
I have vectors that are long.
I have single-dimensional vectors of random variables.
I have n-dimensional vectors of random variables.

The consideration of using the indefinite article or not is based only on the use of vector or vectors.

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