3.

Quantifiers
3.1 Definition
 A word or phrase that is used before a noun to show the amount of it that is being
considered.
3.2 Types of quantifiers
In English, you will encounter many types of quantifiers; however, you need to pay attention
to the nouns immediately following them in order to apply the appropriate quantifier in each
case. There are three basic categories of quantifiers:
• Quantifiers used with countable nouns.
• Quantifiers used with uncountable nouns.
• Quantifiers used with both countable and uncountable nouns.
Countable nouns include singular countable nouns and plural countable nouns.
Ex:
 Singular: One boy, a man, an elephant,...
 Plural: Two laptops, many cars,...
3.3 Amount of, Number of
Both “amount” and “number” refer to quantity, but they differ in the type of nouns they are
used with.
Use:
 “The number of” and “A number of” go before plural countable nouns.
 “Amount of” is used with uncountable nouns.
Form:
 The number of + plural countable nouns + singular verb
 A number of + plural countable nouns + plural verb
 Amount of + uncountable nouns + singular verb
Example:
 A considerable amount of traffic was recorded on this road today.
 The number of students in here is small.
 A huge amount of water was wasted yesterday.
3.4 Few, A few / Little, A little / A bit
Few / A few (countable nouns)
 Few: very little, almost none (negative meaning)
  A few: a small number, some (positive meaning)
Form: Few/A few + plural countable nouns + plural verbs
Ex:
 A few students like literature.
 I have a few books that you may like.
Little / A little (uncountable nouns)
 Little: very little, almost not enough (negative meaning)
 A little: a small amount (positive meaning)
Form: Little/A little + uncountable noun + singular verb
Ex:
 We have little money.
 I just have a little flour to make a cake.
A bit
 Means a small amount; often used with uncountable nouns.
Form: A bit + uncountable noun + singular verb
Ex: There were bits of glass everywhere.
3.5 Much, Many, A lot of, Lots of, A great many, A great deal
 Much, A great deal + uncountable nouns
Ex: I don't have much free time.
Presidents are under a great deal of stress.
 Many, A great many + countable nouns
Ex: There are many job opportunities for college graduates.
The government employs a great many workers.
 A lot of, Lots of (used with both countable and uncountable nouns)
Ex: We spend a lot of money on rent.
There's lots of construction going on.
3.6 Some, Any (countable & uncountable nouns)
 Some: used in affirmative statements
Ex: Bill bought some new textbooks.
 Any: used in negative statements
Ex: Alice didn't take any trips last year.
 Both used in questions
Ex:
Did you buy some clothes?
Did you see any good movies?
 Some in offers; Any in negative questions
Ex:
 Would you like some soda?
Didn't you send any postcards?
 Any in affirmative sentences:
 Not expected/likely:
If you still have any questions, we can talk about them later.
 Meaning “every”:
I would recommend any professor in the history department.
3.7 Quantifiers with “of”
 Use: Quantifier + of + the/another determiner → specific group
Ex:
Many of the students in my class got good grades.
I've already spent a lot of the money I earned.
 Without “of” → general meaning
Ex:
Many businesses take credit cards.
Most people don't understand the Theory of Relativity.
 Verb agreement depends on the noun after “of”
Ex: Most of the information we heard was useful.