Quantifiers
Quantifiers tell us how much or how many of something there is. Some quantifiers are used with countable nouns (many, a few, several, a number of), others with uncountable nouns (much, a little, a great deal of), and some with both (some, any, a lot of, plenty of, no).
Use MUCH and MANY mainly in questions and negative sentences. In positive statements, prefer 'a lot of' or 'lots of'. Use A FEW (countable) and A LITTLE (uncountable) for a small but positive amount. Use FEW (countable) and LITTLE (uncountable) without 'a' for a very small, often negative amount.
SOME is used in positive statements and offers/requests. ANY is used in questions and negatives (and sometimes in positive statements meaning 'it doesn't matter which').
| Quantifier | Countable / Uncountable | Example |
|---|---|---|
| many / a few / few / several | Countable only | I have a few friends. Few people know the answer. |
| much / a little / little | Uncountable only | I don't have much time. A little help would be great. |
| some / any / a lot of / no | Both | There's some milk. Is there any milk? There's no milk. |
⚠ 'A few' = some (positive feel). 'Few' (no 'a') = not many (negative feel): 'A few students passed' vs 'Few students passed.'
⚠ Use 'much'/'many' mainly in negatives and questions. In positives, prefer 'a lot of': ✗ I have much time → ✓ I have a lot of time
- There's a lot of traffic on the motorway today.
- I don't have much money left after the weekend.
- A few friends came to help me move — I was really grateful.
- How many students are in your class?
- There's very little I can do about it now.
- She has several reasons for leaving the job.
- We have plenty of time — there's no rush.
- Few people realise how difficult the exam actually is.
- I have much friends in this city. → I have many friends in this city. 'Much' is for uncountable nouns. 'Friends' is countable, so use 'many'.
- There isn't some milk in the fridge. → There isn't any milk in the fridge. Use 'any' (not 'some') in negative sentences.
- Do you have some questions? → Do you have any questions? In general questions, use 'any'. (Use 'some' in offers/requests: 'Would you like some coffee?')
- We have a little books on the shelf. → We have a few books on the shelf. 'A little' is for uncountable nouns. 'Books' is countable, so use 'a few'.
Choose the correct quantifier to complete each sentence.
- There isn't _____ (much / many) sugar in this coffee.
- I have _____ (a few / a little) spare time this afternoon.
- Do you have _____ (some / any) questions before we start?
- There were _____ (much / many) people at the concert — the queue was enormous.
- She has _____ (a little / a few) experience, but not much.
Each sentence contains one mistake with a quantifier. Find and correct it.
- There isn't some time left — we need to hurry.
- I have much friends at university.
- She has a little cousins living nearby.
- How much students are in your class?
Complete each sentence with a true statement about yourself. Use the quantifier given.
I have a few _____. → I have a few hobbies I do at weekends.
- I don't have much _____ .
- There are many _____ in my city.
- I have a little _____ at home.
- Few people in my family _____ .
- There's plenty of _____ near where I live.
Rewrite each sentence using the quantifier in brackets. Keep the same meaning.
There's not a lot of rain in summer. (much) → There isn't much rain in summer.
- I have a large number of things to do today. (a lot of)
- She doesn't have a large amount of patience. (much)
- There are very few students who failed. (only a few)
- We have more than enough food for everyone. (plenty of)
- I have almost no time to relax these days. (little)
Complete each sentence with the correct quantifier: some, any, much, many, a few, a little, few, little, a lot of, plenty of.
- There isn't _____ water left in the bottle.
- I bought _____ postcards to send to friends at home.
- He doesn't have _____ experience in this field.
- Would you like _____ more coffee?
- _____ people know the truth about what happened.
- There were _____ good films at the festival this year.
- We have _____ time — let's not rush.
- Is there _____ bread left, or shall I buy more?
Discuss these questions with a partner. Use quantifiers in your answers.
- How much free time do you have in a typical week? What do you do with it?
- Are there many places to eat or shop near where you live? Describe what's available.
- Do you have a few close friends or a large social circle? Which do you prefer and why?
- How much has your town or city changed in the last ten years?
Try to use at least six different quantifiers during your conversation: much, many, a lot of, a few, a little, plenty of.