Grammar
Quantifiers overview: choose words for amount and number
Before you ask for supplies, decide what you are counting. You can ask how many notebooks are left, how much paper you need, or whether there are any pens at all.
Choose a quantifier that matches the noun, the amount, and the meaning you want to express.
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
Match the quantifier to the noun first. Use countable-noun forms with separate items, uncountable-noun forms with substances and ideas, and shared forms such as some, any, enough, and all when their meaning fits the sentence.
We have enough paper for the workshop.
Why it works: Paper is uncountable, and enough says the amount meets the need.
6 more examples
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How many chairs do we need for the meeting?
Chairs are separate countable items, so the question uses many.
Not this:
How much spacedo we need for the meeting? What changes: Space is uncountable here, so the question uses much. -
There are some clean cups in the kitchen.
Some says that an unspecified number of cups is available.
Not this:Are there
any clean cupsin the kitchen? What changes: Any is common in questions when the speaker does not know whether cups are available. -
Each guest received a name badge.
Each looks at people one by one, so it is followed by a singular countable noun.
Not this:
Every guestreceived a name badge. What changes: Every also takes a singular noun but refers to all members of the group more generally. -
We have little time before the library closes.
Little often suggests that the uncountable amount is smaller than wanted.
Not this:We have
a little timebefore the library closes. What changes: A little says that some time is available, even if the amount is small. -
Neither route is open after the storm.
Neither means not one and not the other when there are two choices.
Not this:
Both routesare open after the storm. What changes: Both refers to the two choices together. -
The instructions are clear enough for new volunteers.
Enough follows an adjective when it shows that the degree meets a need.
Not this:We have
enough instructionsfor new volunteers. What changes: Enough comes before a noun when it describes the number or amount of that noun.
Read the full guide
Do not try to memorize a long list of quantifiers as separate words. Start with the noun, then read the purpose of the sentence. A question, a negative statement, an offer, and a choice between two things often need different quantifiers.
Start by classifying the noun
Countable nouns name items you can count: one invoice, two invoices, and three invoices. Uncountable nouns usually name a substance, activity, or idea that English does not divide into individual units, such as water, equipment, and advice.
Several invoices arrived this morning.
Some equipment arrived this morning.
Invoices can be counted as separate documents. Equipment is normally treated as an uncountable noun, even when it includes several objects.
Is advice countable or uncountable in ordinary English?
Advice is uncountable. Say some advice or a piece of advice, not an advice.
Choose much, many, and a lot of
Use many with plural countable nouns and much with uncountable nouns. They are especially common in questions and negative statements. In an ordinary positive statement, a lot of is often a natural choice with either kind of noun.
How many visitors signed in today?
We do not have much milk left.
The team has a lot of ideas for the event.
Visitors are countable, milk is uncountable, and ideas are countable. A lot of can introduce either plural countable or uncountable nouns.
Use some and any for an unspecified amount
Some usually appears in positive statements and in offers or requests. Any is common in questions and negative statements. Both can go with plural countable nouns and uncountable nouns.
I brought some notes from the last meeting.
Do you have any questions about the schedule?
We do not have any coffee in the office.
The speaker offers a known amount with some notes. Any questions and any coffee appear in a question and a negative statement, where the amount is uncertain or absent.
Use some in a request when you expect or invite a positive answer: Could I have some water, please?
Show a small amount with few and little
Few and a few go with plural countable nouns. Little and a little go with uncountable nouns. Without a, few and little often emphasize that the amount is not enough. With a, they say that a small useful amount exists.
Few people knew the answer.
A few people stayed after the talk.
There is a little juice in the carton.
Few people suggests a very small number. A few people says that some people were available. A little juice says that a small amount remains.
Which phrase means that some time is available: little time or a little time?
Use a little time. The article a changes the message from a shortage to a small available amount.
Refer to all members with each, every, and all
Each and every are followed by a singular countable noun. Each draws attention to members one at a time. Every refers to all members of a group in a general way. All can go with plural countable nouns and uncountable nouns.
Each file has a reference number.
Every file is checked before delivery.
All the files are ready to send.
Each file and every file need a singular noun. All the files takes a plural noun because it refers to the group as a whole.
Handle a choice between two and use enough
Use both for two people or things together. Use either for one of two choices and neither when neither choice is true or available. Use enough when a number, amount, or degree meets a need.
Both proposals need more detail.
Either day is suitable for the interview.
Neither answer explains the result.
We have enough markers for the class.
Both takes a plural noun. Either and neither are followed by a singular noun when they refer to two choices. Enough comes before a noun, but after an adjective: The room is quiet enough.
Before you go
Remember this
Start with the noun. Use plural countable forms for separate items and uncountable forms for material, time, or ideas. Then choose the quantifier that matches your meaning: some or any, a shortage or a useful small amount, all members, one of two choices, or enough for a purpose.
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 overview: choose words for amount and number"
What is a quantifier in English?
A quantifier is a word or phrase that shows number or amount. Many, much, some, any, each, every, few, little, all, and enough are common quantifiers. Choose one by checking the noun and the meaning you need in the sentence.
How many chairs do we need for the meeting?
How do I choose between much and many?
Use many with plural countable nouns, such as many emails or many visitors. Use much with uncountable nouns, such as much time or much information. Both forms are especially common in questions and negative statements.
How much space do we need for the meeting?
When should I use some and any?
Use some in many positive statements, offers, and requests: I have some news, or Could I have some water? Use any often in questions and negative statements: Do you have any news? We do not have any water.
There are some clean cups in the kitchen.
What is the difference between few and a few?
Few often emphasizes a shortage, as in Few people replied. A few means that a small number is available, as in A few people replied. Both phrases go with plural countable nouns, so the article changes the meaning more than the noun pattern.
Are there any clean cups in the kitchen?
When do I use each, every, all, either, and neither?
Use each or every with a singular countable noun when speaking about all members of a group. Use all with plural countable or uncountable nouns. Use either and neither for two choices: either means one of two, and neither means not one or the other.
Each guest received a name badge.