Expressions of quantity / Quantifiers

Expressions of quantity /Quantifiers

Expressions of quantity

We can use exact quantities to talk about the quantity of things. For example:

• I need two pineapples and half a kilo of rice.

We can use words to describe inexact quantities.

• With uncountable nouns these are: some, any, (not) much, a little, little, lots/a lot (of), plenty (of), a bit (of), most.
• With plural countable nouns they are: some, any, (not) many, a few, few, lots / a lot (of), plenty (of), several, most.

We can use these expressions with a noun to talk generally. For example:

• Most people like chocolate.
• A little money is better than no money.

We can use them without a noun if the meaning is clear. For example:

• Of 100 people questioned, most said they liked chocolate.

Also, we can use them with of the + noun to be specific. For example:

• Most of the people in the room were Swiss.
• I used a little of the money to buy the drinks.

We use some before plural and uncountable nouns. Although the quantity is not important or not defined, using some implies a limited quantity. For example:

• Can you get me some milk? (The quantity isn’t specified. Some suggests a normal amount, not an unlimited amount.)
• I've got some questions for you.

We use some in interrogative sentences when we are offering or requesting (asking for) something and we are expecting the answer to be ‘yes’. For example:

• Would you like some help?
• Can I have some tea, please?

Some

We use any before plural and uncountable nouns. Although the quantity is not important or not defined, using any implies an indefinite or unknown quantity or an unlimited entity. For example:

• Did you bring any bread?
• Mr Jacobson refused to answer any questions.
• If I were able to travel back to any place and time in history, I would go to ancient China.

We use any especially in interrogative and negative sentences. For example:

• He hasn’t got any homework.
• Are there any students in the classroom?

In the case of the interrogative sentences, we use any when there is a possibility that the answer will be negative.

• Are there any biscuits? (perhaps there aren't any)

any

Many

We use many before plural (countable) nouns. We use it in negative sentences and questions. For example:

• Were there many people in the party?
• There aren’t many women priests.

We don’t normally use many in affirmative sentences, but we can use too many or so many in affirmative sentences. For example:

• You eat too many biscuits.
• There were so many people that we had to leave.

We use how many to ask about quantity.

• How many concerts have you ever been to?

Much

We use much before uncountable nouns. We use it in negative sentences and questions. For example:

• There isn’t much coffee in the jar.
• Is there much unemployment in that area?

We don’t normally use much in affirmative sentences, but we can use too much and so much in affirmative sentences. For example:

• There’s too much salt in the soup.
• He ate so much cake that it made him sick.

We use how much to ask about quantity. For example:

• How much coffee have you had today?

a lot of/lots of/plenty of

We use a lot (of), lots (of) (more informal), or plenty (of) before both plural (countable) and uncountable nouns. We normally use them in positive sentences. When we use lots, a lot or plenty with a noun, we need of. For example:

• I’ve got lots of plans for today.
• There’ll be a lot of your friends there.
• There’s no need to rush. We’ve got plenty of time.

We usually leave out the noun after a lot, lots and plenty when the noun is obvious. When there is no following noun, we don’t use of. For example:

• I haven’t got any money

Don’t worry, I’ve got plenty. (plenty of money)

• She didn’t bring anything to eat but we’ve got lots anyway.

We must always use a lot of or lots of including of at the end. However, we can use the expressions a lot or lots (without of) at the end of a sentence.

• ‘How many beers did you have?’ ‘I don’t know; I had lots/a lot.’
• I like her a lot.
• I don’t want any more cake, thanks. I’ve had plenty.

A few / few

We use a few or few before plural countable nouns in affirmative, negative and interrogative sentences. For example:

• I have to do a few things this afternoon.
• We stayed a few days in Florence and visited the museums.
• She had few moments on her own.

A few means ‘some but not many; enough’ and is positive in meaning but few means ‘almost none; not enough’ and is negative in meaning. We use few with plural countable nouns. They are used in formal contexts. For example:

• Few cities anywhere in Europe can match the cultural richness of Berlin.
• At that time few people travelled who didn’t have to.

A little / little

We use little or a little before uncountable nouns in affirmative, negative and interrogative sentences. For example:

• He always gets good results with very little effort.
• Mary said nothing, but she drank some tea and ate a little bread.

A little means ‘some but not many; enough’ and is positive in meaning but little means ‘almost none; not enough’ and is negative in meaning. We use little with uncountable nouns. They are used in formal contexts. For example:

• I’m not very happy about it but I suppose I have little choice.
• There’s little milk in the fridge; we have to buy more.

Others

We use a bit of (more informal) before uncountable nouns in affirmative, negative and interrogative sentences. For example:

• Can you put a bit of sugar in the tea?

We use several (+ of the) + plural noun to talk about some of the people or things in a group. For example:

• There's a group of men. Several of the men are sitting down.
• There are lots of children. Several children are playing a game.

We use both with a plural noun to talk about two people or things. For example:

• There are two women. Both women are sitting down.

We use all with a plural noun to talk about all the people or things in a group.

• All of the children are smiling.

We use most (+ of the) + plural noun to talk about the majority of the people or things in a group. For example:

• Most of the houses are painted white.

Others

We use not any, no or none before uncountable and countable nouns. We use none in short answers. For example:

• I have no money. (This means that you don't have any money)
• There are no tickets left. (Means that there aren't any tickets left)
• How many students got 100% in the exam?

None We put enough before a noun, but after an adjective.

• There's enough food for everyone.
• The box isn't big enough for all those books.