Quantitatives
Quantitatives or quantifiers are a type of determiners that are used with nouns. In this lesson, we will discover their uses, rules, and more in detail.
What are Quantitatives?
Quantitatives (also called quantifiers) are special kind of determiners that we use in front of nouns. We use quantifiers to show how much or how many.
Quantitatives: Types
Quantitatives can be categorized into three groups.
- Quantitatives used only with countable nouns
- Quantitatives used only with uncountable nouns
- Quantitatives used with both countable and uncountable nouns
I have
Give me
I don't have
Quantitatives: Group I
Some quantitatives can be used only with countable nouns:
- many
- each/every
- either/neither/both
- few/a few
- several
She is the author of
He has a kind of low-paid jobs that
Many
'Many' is used to refer to a large number of something countable. It is common to use it in questions and in negative sentences. For example:
I don't have
Were there
Every and Each
'Each' and 'every' are a kind of determiner. They have similar meanings and are used with a singular countable noun.
Either, Neither and Both
We use 'both, either and neither' if we are talking about two people or things. As a determiner, 'either/neither' must come before a singular countable noun and 'both' before a singular countable noun.
Few, a Few
'Few' and 'a few' are quantitatives meaning 'some.' We use them with plural countable nouns.
We stayed
Several
'Several' means 'more than one, but less than a lot.' Normally, we do not use it in negative or interrogative structures, only in affirmative statements. For example:
I've read "Gone with the Wind"
suing "some" with countable nouns
Quantitatives: Group II
Some quantitatives can be used only with uncountable nouns.
- much
- a bit
- a little/little
- a great/good deal
- less
I'd like to drink
Can I have
Much
We use 'much' before uncountable nouns. 'Much' is mainly used in questions and negative sentences. It sounds very formal in positive statements, unless it is used after 'too' or 'so.'
I don't have
Do you have
You've used too
a Bit
'A bit (of)' refers to both abstract and concrete things. They are an informal alternative to 'some, or a piece of or pieces of.'
Do you need
Little, a Little
'(A) little' means 'some, but not a lot.' We use them before uncountable nouns. For example:
I still have
There is
a Good/Great Deal
'A great deal of/a good deal of' are used particularly with abstract nouns. For example:
The trip cost us
I spent
Less
We use 'less' on its own with singular uncountable nouns. Take a look at an example:
Doctors recommend eating
Quantitatives: Group III
We can use these quantitatives with both countable and uncountable nouns:
- all
- some/any/no
- more
- a lot of/lots of
- enough
- most
Like
I eat
All
'All' as a determiner means 'the complete number or amount' of something. 'All' is used before a countable noun or an uncountable noun. It also comes before articles, possessives, demonstratives and numbers.
I'd given up
Someone's taken
Some, Any and No
The quantitatives 'some,' 'any' and 'no' are a kind of determiner. 'Some' is most common in affirmative clauses. 'Any' is most common in negative clauses and questions, but we can use 'some' when we are expecting the answer to be 'yes.'
The determiner 'no' is always used in a affirmative sentence. Do not use it in a negative sentence.
We need
Have you got
There's
More
We can use 'more' with plural countable nouns and uncountable nouns. For example:
We need five
a Lot of, Lots of
'A lot of' and 'lots of' are used with plural countable nouns and with singular uncountable nouns in affirmatives, negatives, and questions.
I've got
I don't have
Enough
'Enough' can be used before uncountable and plural nouns as a determiner. Look at some examples:
There aren't
There isn't
Most
We use the quantifier 'most' to talk about quantities. We can use it with plural and uncountable nouns as a determiner.
She comes home late
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