QUANTIFIERS
In this article, we are going to have a look at quantifiers, words which indicate the amount or quantity.
QUANTIFIERS WITH COUNTABLE AND UNCOUNTABLE NOUNS:
ALL + uncountable or plural nouns: We have all money for the purchase of a new car.
All children are now at school.
- all day/night/week/year: He's been at work all day.
Sam complaints all the time.
- all of + plural pronouns (you, us, them): All of you need to sign this form.
- all the / all + possessive adjectives (my, your, his,...) - refers to a concrete group, 'of' can be added with no change in meaning:
All the people that I know are here.
Have you seen all the rooms?
I have used up all of your tissues.
- all + this / that: Where did you buy all this?
Why did you throw away all of that pizza?
- in questions and exclamations with countable nouns proceeded by 'these' or 'those':
Look at all these blooms!
Where did all these banknotes come from?
SOME
⁃ Affirmative sentences: I have some time.
Kate brought some biscuits.
⁃ Offers and requests: Would you like some coffee?
I want some water, please.
ANY + uncountable or plural nouns
⁃ In negative sentences: I didn’t get any tickets for the show.
We don’t have any children.
⁃ In questions: Do you have any pets?
NO + uncountable or plural nouns
Natasha has no income.
There is no milk.
NONE
⁃ Used without a noun in short answers: A: Do you have some coins? B: Sorry, I have none.
MORE
⁃ Comparative forms of long adjectives and adverbs: This car is more expensive than the other one.
(THE) MOST
⁃ the superlative forms of long adjectives and adverbs: This car is the most expensive in our offer.
LESS
- the comparative form of little: My idea is less innovative than yours.
- used before nouns: Let's eat less meat.
- used before adverbs: Next time, respond more politely.
- a pronoun (followed by 'of'): I slept less than the others. We never expected less of you.
(THE) LEAST
- the superlative form of little used with long adjectives and adverbs:
This is the least interesting book I've ever read. Those who will work least efficiently will have to go through special training.
A LOT OF / LOTS OF
⁃ in affirmative sentences: Mr Novotny has a lot of plum trees in the garden.
A LOT - used on its own, not followed by a noun: Our company enjoyed the event a lot.
John talks a lot.
ENOUGH
Enough + noun: I have enough money to buy a flat.
Emma doesn’t have enough time for all her hobbies.
Adjective + enough:
This excuse is not good enough for me.
You aren’t running fast enough to win.
More colloquial forms, used also with both countable and uncountable nouns :
Plenty of / A load of / Loads of / Heaps of / Tons of
TOO
Too much + uncountable noun
Too many + countable noun
Too + adjective: This is too good to be true. This castle is too far for us on foot.
Too + adverb: He drove too dangerously for me to enjoy the ride.
SO
- so + adjective / adverb: Amanda drove so fast which made us worried.
- so + much: We've wasted so much time waiting for her.
- so + many: They never visited so many countries in one year.
QUANTIFIERS WITH COUNTABLE NOUNS:
MANY
⁃ negative sentences: My husband didn’t get many days off.
⁃ questions: How many days off do you have?
EACH
Each + singular nouns (meaning all): Each customer was given a coupon.
EVERY
Every + singular nouns (meaning all): There were discounts in every shop.
⁃ repetition (days, weeks and years): Our family goes to Paris every Christmas.
SEVERAL + plural nouns: Several hospitals had to close down due to lack of staff.
FEW / A FEW + countable nouns
Few (=very small number): Mark has few friends and that’s a reason why he feels lonely.
A few (= some, but not a lot): Mark has a few friends he can rely on.
When talking about two people or things:
EITHER: nouns with either have a singular verb
You can take a bus or a tram. Either way takes half an hour.
I haven’t seen either of the films.
NEITHER: nouns with neither have a singular verb
Neither of the destinations was a good choice.
I liked neither of the destinations.
BOTH: nouns with both have a plural verb
Both cinemas were closed.
Both Kate and Mark were married in their twenties.
Colloquial forms: a couple of / hundreds of / thousands of
QUANTIFIERS WITH UNCOUNTABLE NOUNS:
MUCH
⁃ In negative sentences: I don’t have much time now.
⁃ In questions: How much money do you earn?
A BIT OF
Can I have a bit of chocolate?
Jeremiah does a bit of exercise every morning.
LITTLE x A LITTLE + uncountable nouns
Little (= very small amount): Susan has little time to finish her thesis.
A little (=some, but not a lot): The boss has a little time to talk to you.
A GREAT DEAL OF / A GOOD DEAL OF + abstract nouns (time, money, and trouble)
Jonas spends a great deal of time working online.
PRACTICE: