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