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

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