How Much Do You Know about Quantifiers?

Quantifiers are words or phrases that indicate the amount or quantity of something. They are an important aspect of the English language, used to specify the number of nouns or the degree of adjectives and adverbs.

Quantifiers answer questions such as “How many?” and/or “How much?”
Quantifiers can be used with both countable nouns and uncountable nouns.

Contents

How to Use Quantifiers in English

Quantifiers are words that indicate the quantity of nouns or objects. Here are some common quantifiers in English:

All: refers to the entire quantity of a noun.
Both: refers to two things.
Several: refers to a few things but not many.
Some: refers to an indefinite quantity of a noun.
Any: refers to one or more things, with no specific number.
Few: refers to a small number of things.
Many: refers to a large quantity of things.
Most: refers to a majority of things.
None: refers to zero things.
A few: refers to a small number of things.

Example sentences using quantifiers:

I have all the answers.
Both books are great.
Several people came to the party.
Do you have some water?
Can you buy any apples?
There are many books in the library.
Most of the students passed the exam.
I don’t have any money.
I have a few books to read.

Basic words indicating a large or small quantity: much/many, little/few, and their comparative and superlative forms: more, most, less/ fewer, least/ fewest. Where two forms are given, the first is used with non-count nouns and the second with count nouns (although in colloquial English “less” and “least” are frequently also used with count nouns). The basic forms can be modified with adverbs, especially very, too and so (and not can also be added). Note that unmodified much is quite rarely used in affirmative statements in colloquial English.

Quantifiers in English

Words and phrases expressing some unspecified or probably quite small amount: a few/a little (learners often confuse these with few/little), several, a couple of, a bit of, a number of, etc.

Here are some examples of quantifiers in English sentences:

All the students passed the exam.
Both of my friends are coming to the party.
Several items are on sale today.
Some people prefer tea over coffee.
Can I have any cookies?
Few people showed up for the meeting.
Many books are available in the library.
Most of the residents live in the city center.
None of my siblings like spinach.
A few people went on the trip.

A Few/Few

Here are some examples of the use of “a few” and “few” in English sentences:

I have a few friends in this city.
She has only a few books on her bookshelf.
There are a few good restaurants in this neighborhood.
I have only a few dollars left.
Few people know the secret recipe.
Few people have the skill to play the piano.
There are few things I hate more than injustice.
Few people realize how important water is.

A Little/Little

Here are some examples of the use of “a little” and “little” in English sentences:

I need a little sugar for my coffee.
She knows a little Spanish.
Can you give me a little help?
I have a little time before my flight.
Little is known about ancient civilization.
I have little patience for nonsense.
Little has changed since I last visited.
He has little interest in politics.

Much/Many

Here are some examples of the use of “much” and “many” in English sentences:

I don’t have much money.
She doesn’t drink much coffee.
I don’t have much time to finish this project.
There aren’t many options left.
I don’t eat many vegetables.
There aren’t many books on this subject.
He doesn’t have many friends.
There isn’t much hope for the future.

All

All the students passed the exam.
All the lights are off.
All the members agreed to the proposal.
I have all the necessary equipment.
All the books are due today.

Some/Any

Can I have some water?
I need to buy some groceries.
Some people prefer tea over coffee.
I have some free time this afternoon.
Do you have any plans for the weekend?
Can you give me any advice?
I would like to visit any interesting places.
I don’t have any money left.

Words expressing maximum, sufficient, or zero quantity: all, both, enough, no, etc.

Too/Enough

The coffee is too hot.
She is too young to drive.
The cake is too sweet.
Do you have enough money for the trip?
There is enough food for everyone.
I have enough time to finish the project.
The chair is not comfortable enough.
I have enough books to last me a lifetime.
The room is big enough for the party.

Number and Quantity

Quantifiers with Countable and Uncountable Nouns

Basic words indicating a large or small quantity: much/many, little/few, and their comparative and superlative forms: more, most, less/fewer, least/fewest.

Where two forms are given, the first is used with non-count nouns and the second with count nouns (although in colloquial English “less” and “least” are frequently also used with count nouns). The basic forms can be modified with adverbs, especially very, too and so (and not can also be added).

Note that unmodified much is quite rarely used in affirmative statements in colloquial English.