Quantifiers

With plural count Nouns Many Several A few few

With non count nouns Much A great deal A little little

With both, count and non count All Most A lot (of), lots (of) Enough Plenty (of) Some None (of the), no

With singular count nouns Each every

How much?Used with non count nouns in questions and negative sentences.I don’t have much time.I have a lot of free time.

Too much (non count)Too many (count)They describe a quantity that is more than it should be. Only use them if there is a problem.

He has a good job. He earns too much money.

He earns a lot of money.

I am too sick to go to work today.

I am very tired. I am going to stay home today.

Don’t use very before a verb.

Don’t use much with an affirmative statement.

There was much rain yesterday.There was a lot of rain yesterday.

A few/a littlecount/non countA small quantityNot a lot, but enoughSome

Few/littlecount/non countAlmost noneNot enough

When we omit a, the emphasis is on the negative. We are saying the quantity is not enough.

Few people wanted to have a party. The party was canceled.

I have a little money left. I can buy that sweater.

I would like to go to Disney World with the kids, but I have very little money left for my bills.

I was hungry, so I ate a few nuts.

There are few cars in the parking lot today. I wonder if there is school.

Enough - A good quantity, what you need

Plenty (of) – enough or a little more than enough

Would you like some coffee?No, I have had enough coffee for one day.

This diet requires you to drink plenty of water.

Too and Enough

Use too before adjectives and adverbs. Use too much and too many before a noun.

I am too tired to sleep.She speaks too fast.I ate too much chocolate.You spend too many hours in front of the TV.

Use enough after adjectives and adverbs but before nouns.

It’s good enough for me.You can’t drive fast enough for me.I drink enough water.

She can’t be on the basketball team.

1. short

2. tall

She’s too short to be on the team.She isn’t tall enough to be on the basketball team.

He can’t play professional baseball.

1. young

2. old

3. small

4. big

How many?Used with count nouns in affirmative and negative sentences and in questions.How many books do you have?

Some/Any/Noare used for questions with plural count nouns and non count nouns.Any is used after a negative verb, and no after an affirmative verb.

Do you need some napkins?Do you want any fries?There aren’t any potatoes in the soup.

He doesn’t have no time.

He doesn’t have any time.

He has no time.

Non count nouns can be measured by container, portion, shape etc.

a can of, a bowl of, a cup of, a glass of, a slice of, a piece of, a strip of, a spoon of a pound of, a scoop of, a quart of, a bottle of, carton of, a jar of, a bag of, a gallon of, a loaf of, an ear of, a head

of, a roll of, a tube of, a bar of, a bunch of

Use of with a unit of measure.I ate three pieces of bread.

Don’t’ use of after many, much, a few, a little if a noun follows directly.She has many (of) friends.He put a little (of) milk in his coffee.

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