Quantifiers in English / Much, many, a lot of / Little, few / Some, any, several / No, enough

When numbers describe nouns, they give exact (definite) information about their quantity. So numbers are also called “Definite numeral adjectives” … and answer the question “How many ?”

But sometimes we do not know the exact quantity of something. In these cases, we use quantifiers.

Quantifiers are adjectives that give approximate (inexact) (indefinite) information about the quantity of nouns.
Another name for quantifiers is “Indefinite numeral adjectives”.
Quantifiers also answer the questions “How many ?” or “How much ?”

Quantifiers can be grouped according to their use:
1) Quantifiers that give approximate information about large quantities (many, much, a lot (lots));
These quantifiers have a similar meaning - «a large quantity of». But they differ because of their use with countable or uncountable nouns.
So, The quantifier “many” is used only with countable nouns.
The quantifier “much” is used only with uncountable nouns.
The quantifiers “a lot of” and “lots of” are used with both countable and uncountable nouns.
These quantifiers can also differ because of their use in sentences.
In modern English it is very common to use “a lot of” and “lots of” in positive sentences instead of “many” and “much”. Which, in their turn are commonly used in negative and question sentences.
Note that in question sentences “many” and “much” together with “how” are used as question phrases.
2) Quantifiers that give approximate information about small quantities ((a) little, (a) few);

The forms “few” and “little” mean that something is not a lot and not enough. We can say that these quantifiers describe the quantity in a negative way.
The forms with the indefinite article “a few” and “a little” mean that something is not a lot, but enough. And these quantifiers describe the quantity in a positive way.
The quantifier “few” is used only with countable nouns.
The quantifier “little” is used only with uncountable nouns.

3) Quantifiers that give approximate information about undefined quantities (some, any, several).

These quantifiers are used, when the quantity is undefined.

The quantifier “some” is used if the quantity is undefined, from small to large, but normally – medium.
The quantifier “any” means at least one or at least a little.
The quantifier “several” means more than a few, but not many.

The quantifiers “some” and “any” are used with both countable and uncountable nouns. But the quantifier “several” is used only with countable nouns.
The quantifier “some” is usually used in positive sentences. And the quantifier “any” is usually used in negatives and questions. For the quantifier “several” it does not matter.

4) The quantifier that gives approximate information about the required or necessary quantities (enough).

The quantifier “enough” is used to describe as many or as much as somebody needs or wants.
It is used with both countable and uncountable nouns.

5) The quantifier that gives approximate information about zero quantity (no).
The quantifier “no” means “not one , not any” and is usually used in positive sentences with both countable and uncountable nouns.

Quantifiers and adverbs.
Some words that are quantifiers, such as “much”, “little”, “enough” can also be adverbs.
So as not to confuse, you should remember that …
… quantifiers are always placed before nouns and describe them.
… adverbs are used singly and can describe verbs, adjectives and other adverbs.
00:00 Definite and indefinite numeral adjectives
01:55 Quantifiers that describe large quantities: many, much, a lot of
04:27 Quantifiers that describe small quantities: (a) little, (a) few
06:43 Quantifiers that describe undefined quantities: some, any, several
09:23 The quantifier that describes required or necessary quantities: enough
10:21 The quantifier that describes required or necessary zero quantity: no
11:11 Groups of quantifiers according to their use
11:21 Quantifiers “much”, “little”, “enough” can also be adverbs
13:07 Tests
17:04 Summary

English Grammar.
Lesson # 23. Basic.

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