Quantifiers

Quantifiers

1. Definition of quantifier

   • The quantifiers form a subcategory under the determinants. They are adjectives or phrases that answer two possible questions:
     • 1. How many?
     • 2. and how much?

2. How to use quantifiers

   • Quantifiers that describe the quantity
     • Countable nouns
       • are the nouns that answer the question "How many?"
         • For example: some, several, several, etc.
     • Uncountable nouns
       • these are the nouns that answer the question How much?
         • a little, a bit of, etc.

3. Quantifiers that express attitude

   • The words few, little and the phrases
     • carry negative suggestions, whereas the last two carry positive suggestions.
       • The sentence "I have little time" means that the speaker ha rdly has time
   • The words a few and a little
     • serve to describe the speaker’s attitude to the quantity being described
       • whereas the phrase "I have a little time" means that while the speaker may not have all the time in the world, but s/he has enough for the purpose at hand.

4. Comparative Quantifiers

   • There are ten comparative or grade quantifiers: much, many, more, most, few, fewer, fewest, little, less, and least.
     • Much, many, more and most describe (in ascending order) increase;
     • much is used only with uncountable nouns
       • I have much time
     • many only with plural countable nouns
     • more and most with both
       • I have more time
       • I have the most time
     • Few, fewer, fewest, little, less and least chart decrease.
       • The first three (in descending order) are used only with countable plural nouns
       • The last three (in descending order) are used only with uncountable nouns.
       • Example: He has few friends
       • He has fewer friends

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