Quantifiers (quantity words) are words that describe different amounts of
things.
These include a lot of, lots of, some, any, few, a few, a little, little, many and much.
Many and Much
Many is used with plural nouns. It is used mainly in questions and negative sentences.
Unfortunately, there aren't many movie stars who have happy marriages.
Many is also used in positive sentences. In speaking, a lot of is also very common and may
be used more often than many.
Many couples prefer to pay for their own weddings nowadays.
Lots of couples prefer to pay for their own weddings nowadays.
Much is used with uncountable nouns (e.g. time, money, love). It is also used in questions
and negative sentences.
We haven't got much money so we're going to have a very small wedding.
A Lot Of and Lots Of
A lot of and lots of have the same meaning and can both be used with uncountable or plural countable nouns.
A lot of people sign prenuptial agreements before getting married.
Lots of people have told me I shouldn't marry him.
(Lots of is more common in informal English than a lot of.)
A Few and A Little
A few and a little talk about a small number of something. However, the number is enough.
(A few is used with plural nouns. A little is used with uncountable nouns.)
Can I finish this or do we have to go now?
You can have a little more time. (There is enough time for you to do this.)
Few and Little
Few and little mean 'very few'. It suggests that the number is not enough.
Few is used with plural nouns. Little is used with uncountable nouns.
Few of my friends are coming to the wedding. They don't like my fiancee.
(Not enough people are coming.)
Some or Any
Some is used in positive sentences.
People who are unhappily married may need some help from a counselor.
Her new boyfriend has given her some flowers.
Some is used in questions when we think the answer to our question could be 'yes'.
Would you like me to give you some advice?
Yes please! I don't know what to do!
Some is often used for invitations or in asking for something.
Could I have some more cake, please?
Yes, of course!
Any is used in questions and negative sentences.
I don't want any advice. I know what I'm going to do.
The counselor we saw wasn't any help at all!
Is there anyone there?
When we use any in a question, the answer could be 'yes' or 'no'.
Do you need anything?
Yes thanks / No thanks.
Any is often used after if.
If anyone wants to know where I am, tell them I'm in a meeting.
If you need anything, just phone me.
Exercise 1:
Choose the best answer for each sentence.
1. Some/any people believe that marriage is for ever.
2. I don't think someone/anyone believes me, but I really did see a little green man
in a spaceship!
3. She brought me some/any delicious bagels and cream cheese.
4. I think there's someone/anyone at the door. Oh I was wrong. There isn't
someone/anyone there.
5. Could you give me some/any help, please?
6. What kind of food shall I order? Thai, Indian, Italian...? Oh, something/anything
is fine. I like everything.
7. No thanks, I don't want some/any more wine.
8. They wouldn't lend me some/any money.
Both/either/neither
Both/either/neither are used for two things. These words are used with a noun.
Both my parents were born in Edinburgh.
I phoned two lawyers this afternoon. Neither lawyer was interested in helping me.
Which day is good for you? Monday or Tuesday?
Either is fine. I don't mind.
Both/either/neither + of is used with 'the'.
Both of the lawyers refused to help me.
Either of those two days will be good for me.
When neither of is used, we can use a singular or a plural verb.
Neither of my parents likes (like) my girlfriend.
Exercise 2:
Use both, either or neither in the sentences below. Include of if you need to.
a. Which dress do you like? I like them ________. They ________ suit you.
b. ________ my brothers is married. They are both bachelors.
c. Would you prefer lamb or chicken? ________ is fine with me. I like lamb and
chicken.
d. I've had two boyfriends. ________ remembered my birthday. They never even
gave me a birthday card!
e. ________ my mother's parents lived until they were a hundred.
f. Her name is ________ Tomoko or Tomomi. I can't remember which one it is.
Answer Key:
Exercise 1
a. Some, b. anyone, c. some, d. someone, anyone, e. some, f. anything, g. any, h. any.
Exercise 2
a. both, both, b. neither of, c. either, d. neither, e. both of, f. either.