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What are Quantifiers?
Quantifiers are words or phrases that are used to indicate the quantity or amount of a noun or pronoun in a sentence. They answer the question 'how much?' or 'how many?'. Pronouns and determiners can act as quantifiers.
Quantifiers: Types
Quantifiers can be categorized into three groups:
Quantifiers used only with countable nouns
Quantifiers used only with uncountable nouns
Quantifiers used with both countable and uncountable nouns
Quantitatives: Group I
The following is a list of quantitatives that can only be used with or in place of countable nouns:
Many
'Many' is used to refer to a large number of a countable noun. It can function as a determiner and a pronoun. For example:
I don't have many friends.
determiner
Many considered him a genius.
pronoun
Few, a Few
'Few' and 'a few' are quantifiers that refer to a low number or quantity. We use them with plural countable nouns and both can function as determiner or pronoun in the sentence. For example:
We stayed a few days in Berlin.
determiner
Do you want candies? I have a few.
pronoun
Few cities in Europe can match the cultural richness of Berlin.
determiner
Many applied, but few succeeded.
pronoun
Tip!
There is a subtle difference between 'few' and 'a few'. While 'a few' is a positive or neutral term that indicates a small but sufficient quantity or degree, 'few' is a negative term that indicates a low and insignificant quantity or degree.
Fewer
'Fewer' is the comparative form of few. It is used with countable nouns to show that the number of people or thing that are present is lower than before or compared to a standard. 'Fewer' is always followed by a noun an cannot be used as a pronoun. Here are some examples:
There are fewer students in class today.
She made fewer mistakes this time.
Several
'Several' means 'more than one, but less than a lot'. It is normally only used in affirmative statements, not in negative or interrogative structures. 'Several' can be used as both a pronoun and determiner. For example:
He had ten ceramic vases, but several broke during the move.
pronoun
Several children are playing a game.
determiner
A number of
'A number of' emphasizes that the quantity is not small, but the exact number is unspecified. It is always used with plural countable nouns and cannot come on its own as a pronoun.
A number of books were missing from the shelf.
A number of employees have resigned this year.
Quantitatives: Group II
Some quantitatives can only be used with uncountable nouns:
Take a look at some examples:
I'd like to drink a little wine.
Can I have a bit more sugar in my coffee, please?
Much
'Much' is used before uncountable nouns to indicate a large amount or degree. It can be used as both a determiner and pronoun. When used as a determiner, it mostly appears in negative and interrogative sentences. Take a look at the examples:
I don't have much money.
determiner
Do you have much free time?
determiner
You have given me much to think about.
pronoun
A Bit
'A bit (of)' can be used to refer to both abstract and concrete things. It is an informal alternative for 'some', 'a piece of', or 'pieces of'. It is always followed by a noun and cannot be used as a pronoun.
Do you need a bit of help with that?
Little, a Little
'A little' and 'little' mean 'some, but not a lot'. They are typically used before uncountable nouns. Both of them can function as pronoun or determiner. For example:
I still have a little milk left.
determiner
Do you need money? I can lend you a little.
pronoun
There is little chance of success.
determiner
Little had changed since the last time I met him.
pronoun
Tip!
The difference between 'few' and 'a few' also applies to 'little' and 'a little'. While 'a little' is a positive or neutral term that indicates a small but sufficient amount, 'little' is a negative term that indicates a low and insignificant amount.
Less
'Less' is the comparative form of 'little' used with uncountable nouns to refer to a lower amount than the amount that exists or is present. 'Less' is always accompanied by a noun and cannot be used as a pronoun. Take a look at an example:
Doctors recommend eating less salt.
She has less patience than I do.
A Good/Great Deal
'A great deal of/a good deal of' are used particularly with abstract nouns. They are always followed by a noun and cannot be used on their own. For example:
The trip cost us a great deal of money.
I spent a good deal of time cleaning the apartment.
Quantitatives: Group III
The following is a list of quantifiers that can be used with both countable and uncountable nouns:
Take a look at some examples:
Like most students, I try not to stay up late on a school night.
I eat a lot of vegetables.
Some, Any
The quantifiers 'some' and 'any' refer to an unspecified quantity. 'Some' is mostly used in affirmative clauses while 'any' is common in negative clauses and questions. Both 'some' and 'any' can be used as a determiner or pronoun. Take a look at some examples:
We need some apples for this recipe.
determiner
There's fresh coffee in the pot if you want some.
pronoun
Have you got any money?
determiner
We need milk. Is there any left?
pronoun
More
We can use 'more' with plural countable nouns and uncountable nouns to refer to a quantity larger than what is present. 'More' can be used as a determiner and a pronoun. For example:
We need five more chairs.
More people are buying new cellphones than ever before.
I have read all these books. Do you have more to recommend?
Tell me more about your adventures.
A Lot, Lots
'A lot' and 'lots' are used with plural countable nouns and with uncountable nouns in affirmatives, negatives, and questions to show a large quantity. While 'a lot' and 'lots' can be used on their own as pronouns, they can also be followed by 'of' to come before nouns. For example:
I don't have a lot of time.
I've got lots of things to do.
I have a lot on my mind.
Don't worry about mistakes; I made lots when I started too!
Enough
'Enough' can be used before uncountable and plural countable nouns to refer to a quantity that serves a need or is sufficient. 'Enough' can be used before nouns or on its own as a pronoun. Look at some examples:
There aren't enough apples to make a pie.
There isn't enough time.
You have done enough, let me take it from here.
Most
We use the quantifier 'most' to talk about a large portion of a whole. We can use it with plural countable nouns and uncountable nouns as a determiner. It can also function as a pronoun. For example:
She comes home late most nights.
Most tap water is drinkable.
Some left early; most stayed until past midnight.
No
'No' shows that there isn't any quantity of the noun. 'No' is used with singular and plural as well as uncountable nouns and cannot be used on its own as a pronoun. Here are some examples:
No information exists concerning the extinct species.
Comparing Quantifiers
The table below compares the quantifiers based on the quantity they represent:
Countable | Uncountable | |
|---|---|---|
Large quantity | Most | Most |
A lot of/Lots of | A lot of/Lots of | |
Many | Much/A great deal of | |
Some/A number of | Some | |
Small quantity | Several | A bit |
Few/A few | A little/Little | |
Zero quantity | No | No |
Comparative Quantifiers
Quantifiers can either show a quantity (large or small number or amount) or show a comparative quantity relative to what is present or expected. Here is a list of English comparative quantifiers:
more → countable and uncountable
enough → countable and uncountable
less → uncountable
fewer → countable
Here are some examples:
There are fewer students here today.
There's less traffic today.
There are enough chairs to accommodate all guests.
We have enough space to grow some fruit trees.
Tip!
The intensifier adverb "too" can be added to some quantifiers to show that the quantity is more than what is necessary or expected. Take a look at the examples:
There are too many cars.
She has too much homework.
She has too few friends to trust.
We have too little patience.
Review
Quantifiers show the number or amount of nouns and answer questions such as 'how much?' or 'how many?'. Pronouns and determiners can serve this purpose. We have categorized quantifiers based on countability of the nouns the accompany or replace:
Quantifiers used with or in place of countable nouns: many, few, several, each, either, etc.
Quantifiers used with or in place of uncountable nouns: much, little, a bit, a good deal, etc.
Quantifiers used with or in place of btoh countable and uncountable nouns: all, some, more, enough, most, etc.
Quiz:
Which sentence suggests a sufficient amount?
He has few friends at school.
She has a few dollars left.
There's little hope for recovery.
We have few options remaining.
Which sentence incorrectly uses a quantifier?
We need fewer volunteers for this project than last year.
Please add less sugar to my coffee this time.
She has much interesting books in her collection.
There's enough space in the car for everyone.
Match each incomplete sentence with the correct ending.
complete each sentence using the correct quantifier from the parentheses.
There are too
students in the classroom." (many/much)
She made
mistakes on her test than last time. (fewer/less)
We have
time before the movie starts. (a few/a little)
There aren't
cookies left in the jar. (some/any)
books were damaged in the flood. (A number of/A bit of)
We need
volunteers to help with the event. (more/most)
Sort the quantifiers in the correct order from the largest quantity to the smallest.
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