QUANTIFIERS

QUANTIFIERS

These are words that help us quantify "how much we have of something".

ACCOUNTANT

UNCOUNTABLE

Many

Express the idea of ​​large quantity. It is used mostly in negative and interrogative phrases with the countable name in plural.

Negative phrase: There are not many tourists.

Interrogative phrase: How many cats do you have?

few / a few

They express a small number. They are used only with countable names. As we have seen above, the option to use "few" or "a few" reflects the opinion about the amount expressed. "Few" describes the amount negatively and "a few" describes it positively.

Interrogative phrase: Do you have a few dollars?

Affirmative phrase: There are few tourists here today.

Little / A little

They express a small amount and are used only with countless names. The option to use "little" or "a little" reflects an opinion about the amount. If you use "a little", it means a positive opinion about the amount and if you use "little" it implies a negative opinion.

Interrogative phrase: Do you have a little money?

Affirmative phrase: We have little time.

Much

It expresses the idea of ​​great quantity and is used above all in negative and interrogative phrases. The difference with "many" is that we use "much" only with countless singular names.

Negative phrase: There is not much time.

Interrogative phrase: How much money does he have?

Some

It is used for countless names or nouns as well as for plural countable nouns or nouns. It is used in affirmative and interrogative phrases (to affirm something); "any" is substituted in negative or interrogative phrases. It means an indefinite quantity, but limited.

Affirmative phrase / countable name: She has some apples.

Affirmative phrase / uncountable name: There is some milk in the kitchen.

Interrogative phrase / countable name: Can I have some cookies?

Interrogative phrase / uncountable name: Would you like some coffee?

Any

It is used in the same contexts as "some," but in negative or interrogative phrases.

Negative phrase / countable name: I do not have any cats.

Negative phrase / uncountable name: He does not have any money.

Interrogative phrase / countable name: Are there any changes?

Interrogative phrase / uncountable name: Is there any milk?

No, none

Unlike the particle "no," "none" can be used without being accompanied by a name, countable or uncountable. Therefore, he usually goes to the end of the sentence and as the only answer to a question that refers to quantities.

Accounting name: How many pencils are there?

None Accounting name: There are no pencils

Countless name: How much money do you have?

None Countless name: I have not money.

a lot of / lots of

They express idea of ​​great quantity. It can be used with countable and countless names or nouns. Unlike "many" and "much", we do not use them in interrogative phrases. In general, "lots of" is more informal. Accounting name: I have a lot of books. Accounting name: He does not have a lot of books. Countless name: I have lots of money. Countless name: I do not have a lot of money.