Grammar
Quantifiers: choosing much, many, few, little, and enough
At a cafe, you can ask for a few napkins but a little water. Both mean a small amount, yet the noun after them changes the choice.
Choose a quantifier that matches whether a noun is countable, uncountable, sufficient, or in a small amount.
Read and practice
Read the examples and try the written questions in this guide. Listening recordings are not available for this lesson yet.
Try the written questions
quantifier /ˈkwɒn.tɪ.faɪ.ər/
The short answer
Use many, few, and a few with countable plural nouns. Use much, little, and a little with uncountable nouns. Use enough with both when the amount meets a need.
We have enough chairs for every guest.
Why it works: Chairs are countable, and enough says the number meets the need.
3 more examples
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How many pages do we need to print?
Pages are separate items that can be counted, so many is the right question word.
Not this:
How much paperdo we need to print the report? What changes: Paper means the material here, so it is uncountable and takes much. -
There are a few apples in the bowl, so we can make a small pie.
A few says that some countable items are available. The amount is small but useful.
Not this:There is
little milkin the fridge, so we cannot make coffee for everyone. What changes: Little suggests that the uncountable amount is insufficient for the plan. -
The meeting room has enough seats for the whole team.
Enough comes before the plural noun and says the number meets a particular need.
Not this:The room is
large enoughfor the whole team. What changes: After an adjective, enough follows the adjective instead of coming before a noun.
Read the full guide
First, look at the noun. If you can count separate items, choose a countable-noun quantifier. If you measure it as a substance, idea, or material, choose an uncountable-noun quantifier. The rest of the sentence tells you whether the amount is small, large, or sufficient.
Start with the noun
Countable nouns name separate items. You can say one ticket, two tickets, or three tickets. Uncountable nouns describe material, an idea, or an activity that is not usually divided into individual units, such as coffee, advice, and homework.
We bought three tickets for the concert.
We bought some coffee for the office.
Is information countable or uncountable when you mean facts in general?
Information is uncountable. Say some information or a piece of information, not an information.
Use many and much for large quantities
Many goes with plural countable nouns. Much goes with uncountable nouns. Both are especially common in questions and negative statements, where the amount is being asked about or limited.
How many buses stop near the station?
How much luggage can I take on the train?
Buses can be counted, so use many. Luggage is treated as one uncountable amount, so use much.
For a neutral positive statement, a lot of often sounds more natural: We have a lot of meetings this week and We have a lot of work this week.
Show a small amount with few and little
Few goes with plural countable nouns, and little goes with uncountable nouns. Without a, these words often point to a problem because the amount is smaller than expected or needed.
Few customers arrived before noon.
There is little space in the cupboard.
Both sentences suggest a shortage. The first concerns countable people; the second concerns an uncountable amount of space.
Which word fits this sentence: We have ___ time before the train leaves?
Use little if you mean there is almost no time. Time is uncountable.
Add a when some is enough
A few and a little still describe small amounts, but they usually carry a more useful meaning. A few means some countable things are available. A little means some uncountable amount is available.
I have a few questions before we begin.
Could I have a little more soup?
A few questions means that questions exist and can be asked. Few questions can suggest that almost nobody has questions.
The article a changes the message, so do not omit it by accident.
Put enough in the right place
Use enough before a noun: enough money, enough chairs, and enough time. Put enough after an adjective or adverb: strong enough, old enough, and clearly enough. It always relates the amount or degree to a need.
Do we have enough batteries for the cameras?
Is the room quiet enough to record the interview?
Choose the natural order: enough warm or warm enough.
Use warm enough because enough follows an adjective. Say The jacket is warm enough for a cool evening.
Before you go
Remember this
Choose many, few, or a few for countable plural nouns. Choose much, little, or a little for uncountable nouns. Use enough when an amount meets a need, and remember that its position changes after adjectives and adverbs.
Practice with the written examples
You can practice with the written questions in the Learn tab. Each answer includes an explanation.
Try the written questionsListening test not available yet
This lesson does not have the recordings needed for a listening test. Use the written questions in the guide to check your understanding.
Try the written questionsQuestions about "Quantifiers: choosing much, many, few, little, and enough"
What are quantifiers in English?
Quantifiers are words that show an amount or number. They include many, much, few, little, a few, a little, and enough. The noun after the quantifier helps you choose the right form.
How many pages do we need to print?
When do I use many and much?
Use many with plural countable nouns, such as books or visitors. Use much with uncountable nouns, such as water or time. Both forms are common in questions and negative statements.
How much paper do we need to print the report?
What is the difference between few and a few?
Few often emphasizes a shortage, as in Few people replied. A few means that some people or things are available, as in A few people replied. Both forms take plural countable nouns.
There are a few apples in the bowl, so we can make a small pie.
What is the difference between little and a little?
Little often means that an uncountable amount is almost insufficient, while a little means that some amount exists. For example, little patience suggests a shortage, but a little patience suggests some is available.
There is little milk in the fridge, so we cannot make coffee for everyone.
Where does enough go in a sentence?
Put enough before a noun, such as enough space or enough ideas. Put it after an adjective or adverb, such as clear enough or carefully enough. It means the amount or degree meets a need.
The meeting room has enough seats for the whole team.
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