English Quantifiers

LDA FEB 2009

What are quantifiers?

Quantifiers are words that are used to state quantity or amount of something without stating the actually number.

Quantifiers can be used with plural countable nouns and uncountable nouns.

Quantifiers answer the questions "How many? and "How much?"

Quantifiers must agree with the noun. There are 3 main types of quantifiers.

1) Quantifiers that are used with countable nouns, 2) Quantifiers that are used with uncountable nouns. and 3) Quantifiers that are used with either countable nouns or uncountable nouns.

Countable Nouns
MANY FEW A FEW PLENTY** ENOUGH**

Uncountable Nouns
MUCH LITTLE A LITTLE PLENTY** ENOUGH**

** PLANTY//ENOUGH Used either Countable or Uncountable Nouns

EXAMPLES (Countable Nouns) 1) I don't have many apples. 2) We know few people in the area. I would like to get to know more. 3) We know a few people in the area. I know enough people to keep me happy.

EXAMPLES (Uncountable Nouns) 1) I don't have much money. 2) I know little English. I am going to have a problem getting around England. 3) I know a little English, at least enough to get England.

EXAMPLES (Countable Nouns and Uncountable Nouns)

1) I have enough money. 2) I have plenty of money.

** a few/ a little means that there is enough.

1) There are a few apples. There are enough apples 2) There are a few people at the meeting. There are enough people to hold a meeting.

3)I know a little English. I know enough English to manage. 4) I have a little money. I have enough Money

** few/ little means that there is Not enough.

1) There are few apples. There are not enough apples 2) There are few people at the meeting. There are not enough people to hold a meeting.

3) There is little money. There is not enough money. 4) They know little English. They can't get around very well. They do not know enough English to manage.