Quantifiers in English

Quantifiers in English
Definition
Quantifiers are a type of determiner which denote imprecise quantity. They differ from numbers
or numerals which indicate precise quantity.
The most common examples:
some / any , much, many, a lot, a few, several, enough.

There are three types of quantifiers
1. neutral quantifiers,
2. quantifiers of large quantity
3. quantifiers of small quantity
4.
1. Neutral quantifiers:
Some, any, several, a number of,
Some and any are both quantifiers and articles. In many contexts, some is the plural
indefinite article, the plural of "a" or "an"; but more often, some implies a limited
quantity, and for this reason has the value of a quantifier.
Some is used in affirmative statements; it is replaced with any in negative and
interrogative contexts.
Examples:
I've got some apples in my basket and some water in my bottle.
I haven't got any apples in my basket, nor any water in my bottle.
Have you got any apples in your basket? Have you got any water in your bottle?
We had some visitors last weekend, but we didn't have any this weekend
Have you got any rooms free for the night of September 30th ?
Several and a number of imply "more than one, but less than a lot". They are not
usually used in negative or interrogative structures, only in affirmative statements.
There are several books / a number of books by Shakespeare in our library.
Several people / A number of people said that they'd seen the missing child.
Enough
Enough implies a sufficient quantity; it is used in affirmations, negations and questions.

We can get tickets for the concert, I have enough money now.
Do you have enough money for the tickets?
***NOTE: do not confuse enough as a quantifier preceding a noun, with enough as an
intensifier following an adjective, as in:
That's good enough for me.
2. Large quantity quantifiers:

much, many, lots of, plenty of, numerous, a large number of, etc.
Much and many: much is used with non count nouns (always in the singular); many is
used with count nouns in the plural.
***NOTE: Much and many are not often used, in modern spoken English, in
affirmative statements; but they are very commonly used in interrogative and negative
contexts.
Examples:
I have many reasons for thinking that this man is innocent is acceptable, but rather
formal; most English speakers would more naturally say:
I have plenty of / a lot of reasons for thinking .....
Much whisky is of very good quality. This sentence is technically acceptable, but not
probable in modern English. Most people would say (and write):
A lot of whisky / A good proportion of whisky / Plenty of whisky ......
!!!Remember this principle: don't use much or many in affirmative statements.
Lots of, a lot of, plenty of, a large number of, numerous
These expressions all mean more or less exactly the same. In the list above, they are
arranged in order of formality, going from the most informal lots of to the most formal
numerous. Informal language is more appropriate in dialogue, formal language in written
documents.
3. Small quantity quantifiers:

few, a few, little, a little, not many, not much, a small number of, etc.
These quantifiers are normally only used in affirmative statements, to which they give a
negative coloring.
Little, a little, not much are used with non count nouns (always in the singular)
Few, a few, not many are used with count nouns in the plural.
Examples:
Few people can speak more than three languages
A few (of the) paintings in this gallery are really good.
There's little point in trying to mend it. You'll never succeed!
I've got a little money left; let's go and have a drink.
Recapitulation: table of usage for common English quantifiers
Neutral
Large
quantity
Small
quantity
!!!NOTE
Affirmative
some, several, a number of, enough
numerous, plenty of, a lot of, lots of,
too many
Negative
any, enough
much, many, too
many
Interrogative
any, enough
much, many, too
many
few / a few, Little / a little
Few or a few, little or a little
The difference between the two expressions in each phrase is purely one of meaning, not
of usage.
Without the article, few and little (used respectively with count nouns and non-count
nouns) have the meaning of "not much/ not many, and possibly less than one might hope
for or expect". These expressions have a negative value to them.
With the article, a few and a little have the meaning of "at least some, perhaps more
than one might expect" . These expressions have a positive value.
Examples:
Few of my friends were there, so I was disappointed.
A few of my friends were there, so I was quite happy.
Hurry up; there's little time left !
We have a little time to spare, so let's stop and have a cup of coffee.

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Quantifiers in English

The most common examples:

some / any , much, many, a lot, a few, several, enough.

Enough implies a sufficient quantity; it is used in affirmations, negations and questions.

2. Large quantity quantifiers:

3. Small quantity quantifiers:

few / a few, Little / a little

Few or a few, little or a little

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