What are quantifiers?
Quantifiers are words that give information about the quantity or amount associated with a noun. There are quantifiers that we can use with countable nouns, uncountable nouns and with both.
Quantifiers with countable nouns
Many refers to a considerable number of something that can be counted. We usually use it for interrogative and negative forms.
Are there many people in line for the opening ceremony?
I don’t have many designer bags.
We can use ‘many’ in positive statements too, but it sounds more formal.
There are many candidates.
We can also use ‘many’ with so and too for positive, negative and interrogative forms.
There were so many talented actors in the play.
She printed too many copies for the meeting.
A few / few refers to a small number of something that can be counted.
I have just a few mangoes left in the basket. (a few means a sufficient number)
Few parents picked up their children from school. (few means a limited number)
We can use ‘few’ with so and too.
So few volunteers came to help.
Too few people came to the event she organized.
Very few refers to a very small amount of something.
The school has very few desks.
Each / every
We are taught a different topic each day.
Every word of the song made me cry.
Several refers to a number that means more than a few.
I bought several towels.
A majority of.
A majority of tourists are leaving the country.
A great number of.
A great number of applicants for the job vacancy were rejected.
A large number of.
A large number of restaurants closed last month.
A number of.
A number of famous musicians attended the concert.
Quantifiers with uncountable nouns
Much refers to a considerable amount of something that cannot be counted. We usually use it for interrogative and negative forms.
How much time do we have left?
I don’t have much patience to teach at a high school.
We can use ‘much’ with so and too for positive sentences, so it does not sound very formal.
I love my family so much.
Camila spent too much money on her new glasses.
A little / little refers to a small amount of something that we cannot count.
The employees have a little knowledge of the work environment.
I have little money left in my bank account.
We also use ‘little’ with so and too.
I have so little information about the product.
We had too little time to arrive to the bus station.
Very little refers to a very small amount of something.
Tania’s English project had very little support from his classmates.
Less refers to a small amount of something when comparing it with something else. Though, we also use it to refer to a reduced quantity.
Patricia is consuming less sugar in her diet.
A bit of refers to a small element of something.
We’ll have just a bit of red velvet cake.
A great deal of / a good deal of.
I never imagines that I could receive a great deal of / a good deal of support from the team.
A large amount of.
A large amount of money was invested into the company.
Quantifiers with countable and uncountable nouns
Some refers to an unknown amount or number of something. We use it in positive statements and questions, but only when the answer to that question may be affirmative.
We can give you some mangoes. (countable)
Melissa has some free time in the afternoon. (uncountable)
Can I get you some tea?
Any refers to an indefinite amount of number of something. We use it in negative statements and questions.
I don’t have any pencils left. (countable)
You don’t have any juice in the fridge. I can go to the store and buy you some.
Are there any cookies left in the jar?
We can use ‘any’ in positive statements only with the words: never, hardly, without.
I can do my homework without any help.
A lot of / lots of.
Our neighbours have a lot of / lots of houses around the country. (countable)
We have always had a lot of / lots of freedom. (uncountable)
Least refers to a slightly amount or number of something.
Sam received the least number of gifts on Christmas. (countable)
Valery had the least confidence among all the students. (uncountable)
Plenty of refers to an abundant amount or number of something.
There are plenty of people in the marathon. (countable)
I have plenty of time to write the documents. (uncountable)
All refer to the entire amount or number of something.
All the cats were hungry. (countable)
My sister drank all the coffee. (uncountable)
Enough refers to a satisfactory amount or number of something. We can use it in positive, negative and interrogative sentences.
I already have enough English books. (countable)
He didn’t have enough time to study for his exam. (uncountable)
Do you have enough water for the trip?
None of.
None of the cars in the parking lot are new. (countable)
None of the information he gave us was true. (uncountable)
No.
There are no patients in the waiting room. (countable)
There is no bread for the sandwiches. (uncountable)
Read more about English grammar here.