Quantifiers

a lot of/lots of
These phrases are mainly used in informal English. lots of sounds a bit more informal than a lot of.
Both forms are used in singular and in plural sentences.
It is not the phrase a lot of or lots of which determines singular or plural, but the subject of the
sentence (here water and computers).
A lot of water is wasted.
Lots of water is wasted.

singular

A lot of computers are needed at schools.

Lots of computers are needed at schools.

plural

In formal English plenty of or much and many is used for a lot of/lots of.
Plenty of water is wasted.
Much water is wasted.

singular

Plenty computers are needed at schools.

Many computers are needed at schools.

plural

much or many
much: uncountable nouns (milk, marmalade, money, time etc.)
many: countable nouns (bottles of milk, jars of marmalade, dollars, minutes etc.)
Examples:
How much money have you got?
How many dollars have you got?
In informal English these questions are often answered with a lot of/lots of. There is no much
difference between the two phrases.

a little or a few
a little: non countable nouns (milk, marmalade, money, time etc.)
a few: countable nouns (bottles of milk, jars of marmalade, dollars, minutes etc.)
Examples:
He has a little money left.
He has a few dollars left.

some, any
some: affirmative statements, offers, requests and in questions when you expect the answer "yes"
any: negative statements, questions
Have you got any bananas? No, we haven't got any. But we've got some oranges.

something, anything and other compounds with some/any

Compounds with some and any
The compounds with some and any are used like the single words some/any.
Compounds

Examples

something
anything

There is something wrong with our car.

someone
anyone*

There is someone at the door.

somebody
anybody*

I would like to be somebody.

someday

Someday he'll be rich.

sometime
anytime

We saw her sometime last month.

sometimes

I sometimes take the bus to school.

someplace
anyplace
somewhere
anywhere

Can't you sing somewhere else?

somehow
anyhow
someway
anyway

She looked ill, somehow.

anymore

I can't help you anymore.

* There is no much difference between someone/anyone and somebody/anybody.

Examples:
There's someone at the door.
I'd like to be somebody.