Language Use:
What is a quantifier?
QUANTIFIERS INCLUDE:
All, Any, Each, Enough, Every, Few/A Few, Little/A Little, Lots Of/A Lot of, Many, More, Much, No, Plenty, Several, Some
How are quantifiers like adjectives?
Quantifiers are like adjectives because they often appear before nouns or noun phrases. Adjectives modify a noun by giving it a description (example: old books, new plants, red apple). A quantifier does more than modify. A quantifier, like an article, determines or announces a noun or noun phrase. Quantifiers are similar to adjectives and have adjective-like characteristics, but they are actually determiners.
- I need ( ) books for school.
- We have ( ) plants for you.
- Stan took ( ) apple from the table.
- Eric didn’t get ( ) help.
- I need the books for school.
- We have the plants for you.
- Stan took an apple from the table.
- Eric didn’t get the help that he needed.
- I need some books for school.
- We have many plants for you.
- Stan took every apple from the table.
- Eric didn’t get any help.
What is a quantifier?
Quantifiers do not have different forms as do pronouns (I, me, mine, myself), however when a noun is known or obvious it may be substituted with a quantifier.
- I read several books over vacation.
- Darrell has many motorcycles.
- I looked at each dog carefully.
- All managers must submit ideas to the owner.
Quantifier as Pronoun ✓
- Some of them were really good. (Some = books)
- All of them have bad engines. (All = motorcycles)
- A lot of them need baths. (A lot of = dogs)
- Each has to submit two ideas. (Each = managers)
Quantifiers answer the questions
How Much? and How Many?
What is a quantifier?
Generally, the quantifiers all, enough, more, none, some, any, a lot of, lots of, and plenty of can be used with both count and non-count nouns.
- All of the players will be there.
- We have enough apples.
- Do you need more nails?
- None of these pens work.
- Some kids decided to leave early.
- Do you want any books?
- A lot of people are here tonight.
- Jimmy has lots of friends.
- There are plenty of places to go.
As subjects, most count noun quantifiers take plural verb forms. (#4/#7) Each and Every take singular forms.
- All of the cake is gone,
- We have enough rice.
- Do you need more water?
- None of my art has been sold.
- I would really like some chocolate.
- You don’t need any money,
- You have a lot of work to do.
- We have lots of time.
- We can make plenty of progress.
As subjects, most non-count quantifiers take singular verb forms. (#1/#4)
What is a quantifier?
As determiners we generally use Some in affirmative statements and Any in negative statements.
- I have some new books on the table.
- He found some boxes in the basement.
- They want some help.
- Lucas needs some time to decide.
- I don’t have any new books on the table.
- He didn’t find any boxes in the basement.
- They don’t want any help.
- Lucas doesn’t need any time to decide.
Generally we use Any in questions when the expected response is unknown and we use Some in questions when the expected response is Yes. Both Some and Any are very common in questions.
Expected response: unknown
- Do you think we’ll get any rain this year?
- Did he find any boxes in the basement.
- Do they want any help.
- Does Lucas have any money?
Expected response: Affirmative (yes)
- Do you want some ketchup on your hamburger?
- Will Jeff need some help?
- Should we stop and get some gas?
- Can’t you bring some cash?
Generally, the quantifiers many, a few, few, a number of, and several are used with only count nouns.
- Mom doesn’t have
manyrice in the cupboard. (much) - We need
a fewbread for dinner. (some) Fewchocolate goes a long way. (A little)A number ofgold was found in the cave. (A large amount of)Severalwater spilled on the floor. (A bit of)
- We don’t have many days to work this week.
- There are a few apples in the basket.
- Very few people came to my party.
- A number of players missed practice yesterday.
- Several complaints were made about the party.
Few and A Few – What is the difference?
Few means: not many
A few means: some or a small number
Generally, the quantifiers much, a little, little, a bit of, and a large amount of are used with only non-count nouns.
Count noun – Incorrect Quantifier Type
- We don’t have
muchapples in the refrigerator. (many) - Alan has
lessapples than Herb. (fewer) - Jose wants
a littlepickles on his sandwich. (a few) - There are
littlediseases that effect dogs. (very few) - Barry took a
bit ofhammers from the toolbox. (number of) - I found a
large amount ofpencils in the desk. (several)
- We don’t have much coffee in the cupboard.
- Tammy put less milk in this cup.
- Jose wants a little mayonnaise on his sandwich.
- There has been little sunshine today.
- It takes a bit of courage to jump.
- There is a large amount of firewood down there.
Little and A little – What is the difference?
Little means: hardly any or not much
A little means: some or a small amount
