QUANTIFIERS

Group 3
What are Quantifiers?
• A quantifier is a word that usually goes before a noun to express the quantity of the
object;
• For example, a little milk

• Most quantifiers are followed by a noun, though it is also possible to use them without
the noun when it is clear what we are referring to.
• For example, Do you want some milk? – Just a little. (It’s clear that I mean ‘a little milk’.)

• There are some quantifiers that have a similar meaning but differ because one is used
with countable nouns and the other is used with uncountable nouns.
List of Quantifiers in English
Uncountable Nouns Countable Nouns Uncountable and Countable
Much A majority of All
A bit (of) A great number of Enough
Little Several None
A great deal of Many No
A large quantity of A large number of Some
A little A number of More
Very little Few Most
A large amount of A few Lots of
Very few Less
Least
Any
Not any
Plenty of
Much, Many, A lot (of)
MUCH
Used for uncountable noun
Much + Uncountable
Examples:
Much Italian wine is sold abroad.
She had so much work to do, she
stayed at the office until
midnight.  work.
Much of what you have written is
very good.
MANY
Used for countable noun
Many + Countable
Examples:
There are many things to do
today.
Many people take the train to
There were so many
passengers on the train, it was
difficult to get off.
A LOT (OF)
Can be used for both
A lot of + Countable/Uncountable
Examples:
We have a lot of time left, don’t
worry.
She plays a lot of sport.
Some and Any
SOME ANY
Used for countable and uncountable nouns
Meaning Refers to a plural noun or an uncountable noun, without giving a specific quantity
Only used in positive sentences, offering and negative and interrogative sentences
requesting something
Examples We bought some coffee. I don't have any Math books.
There are some grapes on the table. There isn't any bread left.
Would you like some oranges? Do you have any money?
Would you like some milk? Is there any sugar?
Can I have some tea?
Can I borrow some money?
A Few, A Little, A Bit (of)
A Few
Used for countable nouns
A few + countable nouns
Examples:
We need a few coins for the car
park.
They ate a few biscuits with their
tea.
Few trains arrive on time. (A
small number of trains arrive on
train which is a  bad thing.)
A Little
Used for uncountable nouns
A little + uncountable nouns
Examples:
Would you like a little milk in
your coffee?
The engine needs a little oil.
Little attention is given to the
problem of parking.
A Bit (of)
Used for uncountable noun
(informal)
A bit + uncountable nouns
Examples:
He was a bit late.
I need a bit of salt.
Enough, Plenty (of)
• Express the idea of being a sufficient quantity.
• Both words can go with countable and uncountable nouns.

• We use ‘plenty (of)’ to mean there is more than a sufficient quantity of something.
For example:
I need more plates. – No, we don’t. There are plenty!
Slow down. We’ve got plenty of time to get to the station.

• We use ‘enough’ to express the idea of having, or not having, a sufficient quantity.
For example:
I think we have enough vegetables so I won’t buy any more.
But we don’t have enough fruit. Let’s get some more.
Questions about Quantity
Countable Nouns
How many + countable nouns
Examples:
How many times have you visited Rome?
How many people were at the meeting?
How many chairs do we need?
Uncountable Nouns
How much + uncountable nouns
Examples:
How much time have you got?
How much money does he need?
How much petrol shall I buy?
EXERCISES
1. There aren't [much/many]
MANY things to do in this village.
2. Please, I just need 5 minutes of your time. I only have [a few/a
A FEWlittle] questions

3. Do you want [some/any] chips?
SOME

4. Nowadays we don't use [much/many]

MUCH cash, because we use our credit cards.
5. There are [a few/a little] things that you can do to improve your writing.
A FEW

6. If I want to pass the exam, I need to study [a lot/a lot of].

A LOT

7. I need [some/any] information
SOME about the city.
8. There are so [much/many]
MANY options that you won't know which one to choose.
9. We don't have [some/any] money.
ANY

10. I normally use [a few/a little] makeup, but not much, only some lipstick
A LITTLE
11. Can I have [some/any] milk,
SOME please?
12. It rained [a lot/a lot of]  last week; it rained every day.
A LOT

13. We didn't see [some/any] people

ANY in the streets.
14. [how much/how
HOW MUCH many] salt do you put in your food?

15. He doesn't have [some/any] hobbies.

ANY

16. Dad, I need [a few/a little] money for school.

A LITTLE

17. We visited [some/any] nice
SOME cities during our trip to China.
18. There was [a lot/a
A LOTlot
OF of] tension at the meeting.

19. They got married [a few/a

A FEWlittle] months after they met for the first time.

20. Can you help me? I need [some/any] advice.

SOME