QUANTIFIERS

A few and few, a little and little

These expressions show the speaker's attitude towards the quantity he/she is referring to.
A few (for countable nouns) and a little (for uncountable nouns) describe the quantity in a positive way:
"'!e got a few friends". (" #aybe not #any$ but enough)
"'!e got a little #oney". (" '!e got enough to li!e on)
Few and little describe the quantity in a negative way:
Few people !isited hi# in hospital. (" he had al#ost no !isitors)
%e had little #oney. (" al#ost no #oney)
Graded Quantifiers
They are like coparatives and hold a relati!e position on a scale of increase or decrease.

IN!REASE "#$ to %##$&
&ith plural countable nouns
an' ore ost
&ith uncountable nouns
uc( ore ost
)E!REASE "%##$ to #$&
&ith plural countable nouns
few fewer fewest
&ith uncountable nouns:
little less least
' (xa#ples:
There are an' people in )oland$ ore in ndia$ but the ost people li!e in *hina.
*uc( ti#e and #oney is spent on education$ ore on health ser!ices but t(e ost is spent on national defense.
Few ri!ers in (urope aren+t polluted.
Fewer people die young now than in the nineteenth century.
The country with t(e fewest people per square kilo#etre #ust be ,ustralia.
-cientists ha!e little hope of finding a co#plete cure for cancer before ./0/.
-he had less ti#e to study than did but had better results.
1i!e that dog the least opportunity and it will bite you.
Quantifiers wit( counta+le and uncounta+le nouns
-o#e ad2ecti!es and ad2ecti!al phrases can only go with uncountable nouns (salt$ rice$ #oney$ ad!ice)$ and so#e can only
go with countable nouns (friends$ bags$ people). The words in the #iddle colu#n can be used with both countable and
uncountable nouns.

,it( Uncounta+le Nouns ,it( -ot( ,it( !ounta+le Nouns
%ow #uch3 %ow #uch3 or %ow #any3 %ow #any3
a little no/none a few
a bit (of) not any a nu#ber (of)
so#e (any) se!eral
a great deal of a lot of a large nu#ber of
a large a#ount of plenty of a great nu#ber of
a large quantity of lots of a #a2ority of
4ote: uc( and an' are used in negati!e and question for#s.
' (xa#ple:
.ow uc( #oney ha!e you got3
.ow an' cigarettes ha!e you s#oked3
There's not uc( sugar in the cupboard.
There weren/t an' people at the party.
They are also used with too, "not& so, and "not& as
There were too an' people at the party.
t's a proble# when there are so an' people.
There's not so uc( work to do this week.
n positi!e state#ents$ we use a lot of:
'!e got a lot of work this week.
There were a lot of people at the concert.
Quantifiers 1
Soe and An' 0 Soet(ing, An't(ing 0 Soew(ere, An'w(ere
Soe and An'
-o#e n positi!e state#ents. ga!e hi# so#e #oney.
&e bought so#e food.
,ny n negati!e state#ents. -he didn't ha!e any #oney.
couldn't find any books.
Soe and an' are used with counta+le and uncounta+le nouns$ to describe an indefinite or inco#plete a#ount.
' Soe is used in positive stateents1 t is also used in questions where we are sure about the answer.
56id he gi!e you soe tea37 (" '# sure he did.)
5s there soe fruit 2uice in the fridge37 (" think there is)
Soe is used w(ere t(e 2uestion is not a re2uest for inforation, but a way of #aking a request$ encouraging or gi!ing
an in!itation.
5*ould ha!e soe books$ please37
5&hy don't you take soe books ho#e with you37
5&ould you like soe books37
An' is used in 2uestions and wit( not in negative stateents.
5%a!e you got an' tea37
5%e didn't gi!e #e an' tea.7
5 don't think we'!e got an' tea left.7
Soet(ing, An't(ing, Soeone, An'one etc1
!opound nouns wit( soe0 and an'0 are used in t(e sae wa' as soe and an'1
' )ositi!e state#ents:
5Soeone is sleeping in #y bed.7
5%e saw soet(ing in the garden.7
5 left #y glasses soew(ere in the house.7
' 8uestions:
5,re you looking for soeone37 (" '# sure you are)
5%a!e you lost soet(ing37 (" '# sure you ha!e)
5s there an't(ing to eat37 (a real question)
56id you go an'w(ere last night37
' 4egati!e state#ents:
5-he didn't go an'w(ere last night.7
5%e doesn't know an'+od' here.7
' There is a difference in e#phasis between not(ing, no+od' etc1 and not 111 an't(ing, not 111 an'+od':
5 don't know an't(ing about it.7 (" neutral$ no e#phasis)
5 know not(ing about it.7 (" #ore e#phatic$ #aybe defensi!e)
5 s there an'+od' who speaks (nglish here37
5There is no+od' in the house at the #o#ent.7
56oes an'+od' ha!e the ti#e37
5&hen arri!ed there was no+od' to #eet #e.7
AN3 can also +e used in positive stateents to ean /no atter w(ic(/, /no atter w(o/, /no atter w(at/4
59ou can borrow an' of #y books.7
5They can choose an't(ing fro# the #enu.7
59ou #ay in!ite an'+od' to dinner$ don't #ind who co#es.7
Enoug(
Enoug( is placed +efore t(e noun, to indicate the quantity required or necessary:
5There is enoug( bread for lunch.7
5-he has enoug( #oney.7
Enoug( is also used wit( ad5ectives and adver+s4
5&e didn't ha!e enoug( ti#e to !isit :ondon ;ridge.7
5s there enoug( #ilk for breakfast37
5-he has enoug( talent to beco#e an international singing star.7
Quantifiers 2
6RA!TI!E TEST
0. n the following sentences$ fill in the gaps with one of the following deter#iners: Soe, An'
0) ,nn has <<<<<<<candies. some
.) ;ill doesn't ha!e<<<<<<<#oney. any
=) -ue will gi!e us <<<<<<<infor#ation. some
>) There is <<<<<<<#ilk in the fridge. some
?) There isn't <<<<<<<beer. any
@) There aren't <<<<<<<boys in #y fa#ily. any
A) ;ill won't gi!e #e <<<<<<<help. any
B) ,nn shouldn't s#oke <<<<<<<cigarettes. any
C) -ue #ust do <<<<<<<ho#ework tonight. some
0/) Dy brother can't speak <<<<<<<*hinese. any
00) Dy sister can speak <<<<<<<-panish. some
0.) can't speak <<<<<<<*hinese or -panish. any
0=) #ust study <<<<<<<second languages. some
0>) ;ill isn't <<<<<<<s#arter than Eane. any
0?) ,nn should eat <<<<<<<fresh fruit. some
.. n the following sentences$ fill in the gaps with one of the following deter#iners: soet(ing 7 an't(ing, soe+od' 7
an'+od', soew(ere 7 an'w(ere
0) -he said <<<<<<<but didn't understand anything. something
.) %as <<<<<<<found #y blue pencil3 4o$ '# sorry. anybody
=) &ould <<<<<<<help #e$ please3 9es$ can help you. somebody
>) %a!e you got <<<<<<< to eat3 4o$ ha!en't. anything
?) To#$ can you gi!e #e <<<<<<<to drink$ please3 something
@) s there <<<<<<<in the house3 4o$ it's deserted. anybody
A) 6o you know <<<<<<<about :ondon transport3 4o$ don't. anything
B) &hat's wrong3 "There's <<<<<<<in #y eye." something
C) &ould you like <<<<<<<to drink3 9es$ please. something
0/) <<<<<<<has broken the window. don't know who. Somebody
00) %e didn't say <<<<<<<. anything
0.) '# looking for #y keys. %as <<<<<<<seen the#3 4o$ '# sorry. anybody
0=) Teach #e <<<<<<<exciting. something
0>) didn't eat <<<<<<<because wasn't hungry. anything
0?) 6ad$ can we go <<<<<<<on -unday3 9es$ what about going to the Foo3 somewhere
=. n the following sentences$ fill in the gaps with one of the following quantifiers: uc(, an', lots of, a lot of, little, ost,
a little, little, a few, few
Top of Gor#
0. t see#s to #e that we'!e had <<<<<<<assign#ents in (nglish this ter#. many
.. %ow <<<<<<<#aterial can we be expected to read in one week3 much
=. <<<<<<<books are not in the library. Many
>. '!e had <<<<<<<headaches already because of stress. many
?. <<<<<<<depression can be attributed to being o!erworked. Much
@. Hur yard looks awful this su##er. There are too <<<<<<<weeds. many
A. didn't use <<<<<<<fertiliFer last spring$ and that has #ade a difference. much
B. ,lso$ '!e paid <<<<<<<attention to how <<<<<<<rain we'!e had. little / much
C. '# afraid it's rained <<<<<<<ti#es this su##er$ and the grass is turning brown and dying. few
0/. <<<<<<<experts say you should fertiliFe your lawn in the fall. Many
00. t didn't see# to do #y lawn <<<<<<<good. much
0.. <<<<<<<ad!ice you get fro# experts doesn't see# to help. Most
0=. <<<<<<<of #y neighbors ignore their grass$ and they ha!e better lawns this year. Many
0>. They say <<<<<<<knowledge is a bad thing. a little
0?. know <<<<<<<instances where that pro!es true. a few
0@. <<<<<<<people know as #uch about co#puters as To#as does. Few
0A. ;ut it does hi# <<<<<<< good when the whole syste# goes down. little
>. n the following sentences$ choose one of the following quantifiers that best co#plete the sentence.
0. The exhibition was not !ery crowded. There were <<<<<< people than expected.
a. few b. the fewest c. fewer d. the least d. less e. a few
.. Deeting ;ill *linton was #uch <<<<<< frightening than had i#agined.
a. few b. the fewest c. fewer d. the least d. less e. a few
=. '!e not #et hi# but '!e heard <<<<<< stories about hi# and he sounds interesting.
a. few b. the fewest c. fewer d. the least d. less e. a few
Quantifiers 3
>. %e's <<<<<< craFy than you first think. -o#e of his ideas #ake sense.
a. few b. the fewest c. fewer d. the least d. less e. a few
?. That #ust be <<<<<< frightening horror fil# '!e e!er seen.
a. few b. the fewest c. fewer d. the least d. less e. a few
@. t's ti#e so#ebody told hi# <<<<<< ho#e truths.
a. few b. the fewest c. fewer d. the least d. less e. a few
A. strongly disappro!e. don't like what '!e heard in <<<<<< .
a. few b. the fewest c. fewer d. the least d. less e. a few
B. %e's not liked. n fact he's <<<<<< liked person in the office.
a. few b. the fewest c. fewer d. the least d. less e. a few
C. 'd like to go to Eapan but get so <<<<<< opportunities to tra!el in #y present 2ob.
a. few b. the fewest c. fewer d. the least d. less e. a few
0/. 'd like you to spend <<<<<< ti#e on your own work and #ore on controlling your staff.
a. few b. the fewest c. fewer d. the least d. less e. a few
00. 6a!id :etter#an is !ery fa#ous in ,#erica but <<<<<< people in (ngland ha!e heard of hi#.
a. few b. the fewest c. fewer d. the least d. less e. a few
0.. &e #ustn't postpone this #eeting. &e get to #eet on too <<<<<< occasions as it is.
a. few b. the fewest c. fewer d. the least d. less e. a few
0=. Grankly$ Eohn's proble#s are <<<<<< of #y worries.
a. few b. the fewest c. fewer d. the least d. less e. a few
0>. f you spent <<<<<< ti#e worrying$ you'd get #ore done.
a. few b. the fewest c. fewer d. the least d. less e. a few
0?. don't like any of the solutions. suppose Eohn's is <<<<<< bad of the# but still don't like it.
a. few b. the fewest c. fewer d. the least d. less e. a few
0@. t's not i#portant. t doesn't #atter in <<<<<< .
a. few b. the fewest c. fewer d. the least d. less e. a few
0A. The winner will be the person who #akes <<<<<< #istakes.
a. few b. the fewest c. fewer d. the least d. less e. a few
0B. '!e had <<<<<< proble#s with this. really need so#e help.
a. few b. the fewest c. fewer d. the least d. less e. a few
0C. '!e had <<<<<< proble#s with this. don't need any help.
a. few b. the fewest c. fewer d. the least d. less e. a few
./. "4e!er was so #uch owed by so #any to so <<<<<< ." I &inston *hurchill
a. few b. the fewest c. fewer d. the least d. less e. a few
?. n the following sentences$ fill in the gaps with one of the following quantifiers:
, G(& J , 1K(,T 6(,: J , :TT:( J , :HT J , :HT HG J , D,EHKT9 HG J (4HL1% J D,49 J DL*% J ):(4T9 J
-(M(K,: HG J -HD(
0. '# ha!ing <<<<<<< of trouble passing #y dri!ing exa#. a lot
.. <<<<<<< the #o!ies were rated )1. Several of
=. <<<<<<< infor#ation pro!ed to be outdated. Some
>. &e're close to the pro2ect deadline$ but there is still <<<<<<< ti#e left. a little
?. ,lthough there are <<<<<<< brilliant students in this state II thousands$ e!en$ only <<<<<<< will choose to re#ain in the
state after graduation. many / a few
@. &e were able to destroy <<<<<<< the parasites with our antigen$ but <<<<<<< of the# sur!i!ed to cause trouble. a
majority of / enough
A. <<<<<<< a student has passed through these doors. Many
B. ,lthough <<<<<<< of the lawn is open to the sun$ there are <<<<<<< of shade trees to #ake it co#fortable. a great deal /
plenty
C. think he drank <<<<<<< wine last night. a lot of
0/. <<<<<<< the e!idence was taken fro# the police safe last night. much
Soe, an', few, little
0. &owN :ook at thatN %ow <<<<<<< books do you ha!e on your shel!es3 ha!e to tell you it's a great collectionN
(a) #uch (b) many (c) any (d) so#e
.. &ould you like <<<<<<< 2uice3
(a) #any (b) an (c) some (d) #uch
=. %ow <<<<<<< #oney do you ha!e3
(a) much (b) #ore (c) #any (d) often
>. only ha!e <<<<<<< dollars.
(a) so#e (b) any (c) a little (d) a few
Quantifiers 4
?. want to #ake orange 2uice. %a!e you got <<<<<<< oranges3
(a) #uch (b) an (c) any (d) few
@. 4o$ don't. ;ut ha!e <<<<<<< apples$ if you'd like to #ake apple 2uice instead.
(a) a little (b) so#e (c) any (d) few
A. There are <<<<<<< people trying to go to the L. concert this weekend.
(a) many (b) #uch (c) a little (d) any
B. %ow #any gallons of water did you bring for the trip3 I 2ust ha!e <<<<<<< gallons.
(a) #uch (b) any (c) a little (d) a few
C. Eessica spent a lot of #oney on her car. 4ow she only has <<<<<<< #oney left to pay for her li!ing expenses.
(a) #any (b) a few (c) a little (d) #uch
0/. %ow <<<<<<< ti#e do you ha!e left before you ha!e to go to school3
(a) so#e (b) much (c) #any (d) any
A Few 7 Few 7 A little 7 8ittle
' a few / few O count noun
I Gew
saw a few friends at the #all.
P" two or three (positive)Q saw two or three friends at the #all
I Gew
%e has few friends because he's so #ean.
P" al#ost none (negative)Q %e has al#ost no friends because he's so #ean
' a little / little O non count noun
I , :ittle
ha!e a little ho#ework.
P" a s#all a#ount (positive)Q ha!e a s#all a#ount of ho#ework.
I :ittle
There is little pollution in that country.
P" al#ost none (negative) There is al#ost no pollution in that country
6RA!TI!E4
0.
Dax: 6o you ha!e P a few / few Q pieces of paper can borrow3
:ee: -ure. %ere's P a little / little Q paper for you.
..
)at: only ha!e P a little / little Q #oney for lunch. :et's go so#ewhere inexpensi!e.
Ei#: can lend you P a few / few Q dollars if you want.
=.
rene is really unfriendly. -he has P a few / few Q friends.
-he also has !ery P a little / little Q patience with other people.
>.
)ablo has #any acquaintances$ but he only has P a few / few Q !ery close friends.
%e thinks that it's better to ha!e P a few / few Q close friends$ than doFens of acquaintances.
?.
-ara likes P a little / little Q honey in her tea.
Ean likes P a few / few Q spoonfuls of sugar in hers.
@.
Gran en2oys listening to P a few / few / a little / little Q #usic when she gets ho#e fro# school.
-he is thinking about buying P a few / few / a little / little Q new *6's next week.
A.
&e got to the airport early because there was !ery P a few / few / a little / little Q traffic at = a#.
-ince we got there early$ we had P a few / few / a little / little Q ti#e to catch a nap in the ter#inal.
B.
;en's pants are getting <<<<<<<<<< too short for hi#. %e's getting taller by the #inuteN
suppose we'll ha!e to buy hi# <<<<<<<<<< new pairs of pants this weekend.
C.
&aitN '# not finished yet. need <<<<<<<<<< #ore #inutes. *an you gi!e #e <<<<<<<<<< #ore ti#e3
Quantifiers 5
0/.
6ana: f you're hungry$ 'd be happy to cook you <<<<<<<<<< eggs.
Ti#: 4o thanks. ate <<<<<<<<<< fruit about ./ #inutes ago.
00.
stayed up too late last nightR got !ery <<<<<<<<<< sleep. wish could sleep <<<<<<<<<< longer.
0..
Mery <<<<<<<<<< people are #illionaires.
don't necessarily want to be a #illionaire$ but 'd like to ha!e <<<<<<<<<< #ore #oney in the bank.
0=.
nto e!ery life$ <<<<<<<<<< rain #ust fall.
Day your 2oys be #any and your troubles be <<<<<<<<<<.
0>.
*an borrow your dictionary to look up <<<<<<<<<< words3
always use a dictionary$ so #ake !ery <<<<<<<<<< #istakes in spelling.
0?.
Ta#ara speaks !ery <<<<<<<<<< Kussian$ but she knows <<<<<<<<<< words.
Quantifiers 6