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In English grammar, a quantifier is a word (or phrase) which indicates the number or
amount being referred to. It generally comes before the noun (or noun phrase). The chart
below shows which type of noun goes with which quantifier.
However, note that some of the examples in the chart can take on several different roles
within a sentence. For example, 'any' can be used as a quantifier, a pronoun or an adverb:
Singular
nouns (C)
all
any
both
each
enough
every
few/a few/fewer
little/a little/less
lots of / a lot of
many
more
no
several
some
Plural
nouns (C)
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Uncountable
nouns (U)
Yes
Yes
*
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Normally two quantifiers cannot be used together before the same noun. However, the
quantifiers all and both are found immediately before the or a possessive pronoun: all my
relatives, both the ministers. You will also see the following combinations of quantifiers:
Few, little
Again, the meaning of these two words is similar since they both refer to small quantities,
except that few is found with C nouns and little with U nouns.
If they are used without the indefinite article, a, they have the sense of not enough and are
negative in feeling (few events, little interest) but these are quite formal and we would
normally prefer not many events and not much interest.
When few and little are used witha they simply mean a small quantity with no extra negative
overtones: a few events (i.e. three or four) and a little interest (i.e. some interest, but not a lot).
Any
Any can be used before countable and uncountable nouns usually in questions and negative
sentences:
If we stress the word any heavily when speaking, we are suggesting an unlimited choice from
a range of things or an unrestricted quantity; in this case its use is not confined to just
questions and negatives:
Some
Some is usually thought of as the positive counterpart to any in many circumstances.
Like any it is used before both C and U nouns, and means an indefinite quantity but not a
large amount. The general rule given above for the use of any in negative sentences and
questions does not always hold in requests and offers where we often use some to mean a
small amount of a known quantity:
Would you like some cake? (here is the cake, do you want a piece of it?)
Could I have some biscuits instead? (any would not be possible in this case)
If we stress the word some in positive and negative sentences and in questions, we are
suggesting a limited quantity or number of something: