Quantifiers in English Grammar: Easy Guide with Examples
Ever wondered whether to say “much” or “many,” “some” or “any”? You’re not alone! Many English learners struggle with quantifiers—those small but powerful words that help describe how much or how many.
But here’s the good news: mastering quantifiers is easier than you think. In this blog, you’ll find simple rules, real-life examples, and tips to use quantifiers naturally in your everyday English.
Let’s break it down!
What Are Quantifiers?
Quantifiers are words that describe how much or how many of something there is. They come before nouns—and are used with both countable and uncountable nouns.
Countable and Uncountable Nouns
Countable nouns (C): Things you can count (e.g., apple, car, book). They have singular and plural forms.
Uncountable nouns (U): Things you cannot count (e.g., water, rice, advice). They do not have plural forms.
Some nouns can be both countable and uncountable but with different meanings. For example:
Experience (U) = general knowledge gained
Experiences (C) = specific events in life
Common Uncountable Nouns:
Some nouns are always uncountable, including:
Abstract ideas: advice, information, knowledge
Substances and food items: milk, coffee, sugar, butter, bread
Collective items: furniture, luggage, stationery
Natural elements: sunshine, rain, air
Using Articles and Quantifiers: A, An, Some, and Any
These words help determine whether something is specific or general. We sometimes use articles to determine the quantites.
Using 'Some' and 'Any' Correctly
- Some and any go before a plural or uncountable
- We can also use some and any without a noun
- We normally use some in positive sentences and any in
- We can also use any in a sentence with “if”.
- We normally use some in offers and requests.
Examples of some, any
- There was some milkshake in the fridge, but there wasn’t any
- Deena wanted some honey, but he couldn’t find
- We’ll have some fun at party – We won’t have any party without
- If you have any doubts, you can ask
- Would you like to have some cool drink? Could you reply some emails on behalf of me?
Ready to take your English to the next level? Join our Online English Course focused on building fluency, boosting confidence, and sharpening advanced speaking skills
More References:
In questions, we can use either some or any, but any is more common.
We don’t know whether the answer will be yes or no.
Did you buy any notebooks?
Have we got any milk?We can use some in questions when we think the answer might be yes.
Did you buy some notebooks? (Perhaps I know that you went out to buy some.)
We can use any in a positive sentence to mean ‘it doesn’t matter which’.
I’m free on all Sundays. Call me any time on that day.
Any student will be able to tell you where the library is.
You can find these accessories at any fashion store.Look at these examples too:
It’s a very easy task. Anyone can do it. (It doesn’t matter who.)
What shall we watch tonight? ~ Oh, anything. I don’t mind.
Where should we meet? ~ We can meet anywhere. It doesn’t matter.
A lot of, lots of, many, much, (a) few and (a) little
We use a lot of, lots of, many, and much for a large quantity.
We use a few and a little for a small quantity.
Usage Rules:
A lot of and lots of go before both plural and uncountable nouns.
Much and a little go before uncountable nouns.
Many and a few go before plural countable nouns.
Positive & Negative Statements:
We use a lot of and lots of in positive statements.
There are a lot of books in the library.
She has lots of energy.
We use many and much in negatives and questions.
There aren’t many students in the class.
Do you have much work to do?
Questions:
Use How much…? with uncountable nouns.
How much water do you drink daily?
Use How many…? with plural countable nouns.
How many books do you own?
Quantity Expressions:
Use a lot of for a big quantity.
She has a lot of friends.
Use quite a lot of for quite a big quantity.
We ate quite a lot of food at the party.
Use not much with uncountable nouns for a small quantity.
There isn’t much sugar left.
Use not many with plural countable nouns for a small quantity.
There aren’t many cars on the road today.
Use not any (or none in short answers) for zero quantity.
I don’t have any money. → I have none.
Special Uses:
Use a lot when there is no noun.
He talks a lot.
Use plenty of in positive sentences to mean as much as we need or more.
We have plenty of time to finish the project.
Use very little (not much) and very few (not many) for very small quantities.
There is very little milk left.
He has very few close friends.
Tip
Few and Little with and without “A”
A few visitors have come into the expo. (Some visitors, a small number but still positive.)
Few visitors have come into the expo. (Not many visitors, almost none.)
He made a little progress in his work and felt happy. (Some progress, even if small.)
He made little progress in his work and didn’t feel happy. (Hardly any progress, almost none.)
Many or Much after Too, So, and As
There are too many shops.
I’ve held up with so much work.
I don’t have as much money as you.
how much/ how many?
How many days do we need? (Plural countable noun – days)
How much sugar do we put in? (Uncountable noun – sugar)
Usage of “A lot of,” “Lots of,” and “Plenty”
They have a lot of money. (Uncountable noun – money)
She has lots of friends. (Plural countable noun – friends)
He eats a lot. (General usage without a noun)
There aren’t many cafés near here. (Plural countable noun – cafés)
Do you watch much TV? (Uncountable noun – TV)
Don’t run. We have plenty of time. (Uncountable noun – time)
Using “A little” and “A few”
A: Do you want some ice cream? B: Just a little. (Uncountable noun – ice cream)
The town only has a few cinemas. (Plural countable noun – cinemas)
Hurry up. We have very little time. (Uncountable noun – time)
I have very few close friends. (Plural countable noun – friends)
A: Do you take sugar? B: Yes, just a little. (Uncountable noun – sugar)
A: Do you want some chips? B: Yes, but just a few. (Plural countable noun – chips)
I eat a little meat. (Uncountable noun – meat)
Can you buy a few bananas? (Plural countable noun – bananas)
I drink very little coffee. (Uncountable noun – coffee)
He has very few friends. (Plural countable noun – friends)
All, Half, Most, Some, None
She believes that all people can sing well. (Plural countable noun – people)
Most cities have lots of vehicles. (Plural countable noun – cities)
In some temples, the crowds are high. (Plural countable noun – temples)
Most of my relatives are abroad, but some of my friends are also in the US. (Plural countable noun – relatives, friends)
Half of the people left before the program was over. (Plural countable noun – people)
None of the shops were open. (Plural countable noun – shops)
It was a lovely show, but I couldn’t enjoy all of it. (Uncountable noun – show)
I called a few taxis, but most of them were busy. (Plural countable noun – taxis)
Usage of “All” with Time Expressions
They have been playing all day. (The whole day)
He waited for her phone call all morning. (The whole morning)
Every, Each, Whole, Both, Either & Neither
We use every and each before a singular noun to refer to a whole group.
We use whole before a singular noun, meaning ‘all’ or ‘complete.’
Both means ‘the one and the other.’ We can use it as both the, both of, etc.
Either means ‘the one or the other,’ and neither means ‘not the one or the other.’
Every refers to three or more, usually a larger number.
Each is more common with smaller groups.
Look at these examples:
Every student watched the chief guest. Every day I go to the office.
Each student shared their food. Each day is unique.
The cars were parked in every lane.
The cars were parked on each side of the lane.
She laughed the whole day. I’ve spent my whole life on it.
They need a whole day to compose a song.
We received two boxes, both are quite good, and both will be dispatched soon.
I haven’t met either parent.
Neither shoe fits. Neither of the students. Neither of them.
Either Saranya or Ravi should clean the floor.
Neither Saranya nor Ravi cleaned the floor.
Something, anybody, nothing, etc.
With every, some/any, and no, we can form words ending in one, body, thing, and where.
We use everything, everybody, everyone, and everywhere before or after positive verbs.
We usually use something, somebody, someone, and somewhere in positive sentences.
We use anything, anybody, anyone, and anywhere in negative sentences and in questions.
We use nothing, nobody, no one, and nowhere before or after positive verbs.
Final Thoughts
Mastering quantifiers will make your English more precise and natural. Keep practicing and listening to how native speakers use them in conversations.
Take Your English to the Next Level!
Now that you've mastered quantifiers, it's time to apply them in real conversations! Join our Spoken English Course Online and start speaking English with confidence.
Find out more
