Quantifiers

Quantifiers are words that precede and modify nouns.

They show how many things or how much of
something we are talking about.
Some quantifiers combine with countable nouns, some
with uncountable and some with both kinds.
In this article you will learn about most used quantifiers:
a lot of, lots of, plenty of, few, a few, little, a little etc.
A lot
If we use this quantifier on its own,
(not in front of a noun or pronoun) we do not use ‘of
 and it means very many or very much
and it is used as an adverb. It often comes
at the end of a sentence never before a noun.
• I like sports a lot.
• I don’t play game a lot nowadays.
 Few/ A few
We use few and a few with countable plural nouns.

• Few / a few books.

• Few/ a few letters.
• Few/ a few friends.

Difference Between Few and A Few

A few is more than few and
is a positive idea, and few is negative idea
it means almost none. We can also use ‘very few’.
• Few people understand the difference.
• Very few students learn Latin now.
• I need a few things from the store.
• We’ve had a few replies.
A few and few have irregular comparative
and superlative forms.
Few => fewer – the fewest
A few => more – the most
Little/ A Little
We use little and a little with uncountable nouns.
• A little/ little water.
• A little/ little time.
• A little/ little money.
• A little/ little chocolate.
Difference Between Little and A little
A little is more than little it means some
but not much and little is a negative idea it
means nearly none or nearly nothing.
We can also use ‘very little’.
• I can help you, I have a little money.
• I can’t help you, I have little money.
• I have only read little of the book so far.
• If you have any spare milk, could you give me a little?
A little and little have irregular comparative and superlative forms
Little => less – the least
A little => more – the most
Some and any
We do not normally use the quantifier some in
 negative and interrogative sentences.
We normally use any:
Do you have any children?
Did you see any friends?
We don't have any children.
I didn't see any friends.
We saw some lions at the zoo, but we didn't see any tigers.
but we can use some for offers and requests:
Would you like some tea?
I want some apples, please.
Quantifiers with uncounted nouns:
Some quantifiers can be used only with uncounted nouns:

(not) much a bit of a little

Would you like a little wine?
Could I have a bit of butter, please?

These quantifiers are used particularly with abstract nouns

such as time, money and trouble:

a great deal of a good deal of

It will probably cost a great deal of money.
He spent a good deal of time watching television.
Can ask questions like the following:
o Do you have a banana?
o Do you have some bananas?
o Do you have some water?
o Do you have a bottle of water?