Introduction
Quantifiers are determiners that express how much or how many of something. The choice of quantifier depends on whether the noun is countable or uncountable, and whether the sentence is affirmative, negative, or a question.
| Quantifier | Countable | Uncountable |
|---|---|---|
| many / a few / few / several / a number of / fewer | ✓ | ✗ |
| much / a little / little / a great deal of / less | ✗ | ✓ |
| some / any / no / a lot of / lots of / plenty of | ✓ | ✓ |
| all / most / enough / more | ✓ | ✓ |
- I don't have many friends here, but I have a lot of free time.
- There is little water left.
- After the interview, Aisha has several options.
Some vs Any
Some is used in affirmative sentences, and in questions when offering or expecting a yes. Any is used in negatives and most questions, and in affirmatives to mean 'it doesn't matter which'.
| Context | Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Affirmative | some | I have some questions. |
| Negative | any | I don't have any questions. |
| Neutral question | any | Do you have any questions? |
| Offer/expectation of yes | some | Would you like some tea? |
| Affirmative (no matter which) | any | Any doctor will tell you the same. |
- I don't have some ideas.I don't have any ideas.
- Do you want some help?
- Do you need any help?
Few/A Few and Little/A Little
One small word changes the meaning: a few and a little are positive (some, enough); few and little on their own are negative (almost none).
| Meaning | Example | |
|---|---|---|
| a few | some (positive) | I have a few friends here. (= I have some, that's good) |
| few | almost none (negative) | I have few friends here. (= almost nobody) |
| a little | some (positive) | There's a little time left. (= some time, good) |
| little | almost none (negative) | There's little time left. (= almost no time) |
Practice
There is ___ water left.
I don't have ___ questions.
Would you like ___ tea? (offer)
I have ___ friends here. (= almost nobody, negative)
She has ___ options to choose from.
I don't have ___ friends here, but I have ___ free time.
We don't have ___ time, so let's hurry.
How ___ money do you have?
Do you have ___ questions? (neutral question)
'Any doctor will tell you the same.' What does 'any' mean here?
I have ___ friends here. (= some, that's good)
There were ___ people at the party than last year.
There's ___ time left. (= some time, good)
There's ___ time left. (= almost no time)
Which quantifier can be used with both countable and uncountable nouns?
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