PT4 M1 Quantifiers

Quantifiers

A lot/lots, Much, Many

A lot/lots of are used with both plural countable and uncountable nouns. They are normally used in affirmative sentences. The of is omitted when a lot/lots are not followed by a noun.

Are there lots of books in the library? Yes, there are lots.

Much is used with uncountable nouns and many is used with countable nouns. They are usually used in negative or interrogative sentences.

I haven't got much rime. Are there many paintings in the exhibition?

How much/many are used in interrogative sentences. Much is used with uncountable nouns and many is used with countable nouns.

How much milk do you need? How many visitors does she expect? 

Few, little, a few, a little,

A few means not many, but enough. It is used with plural countable nouns.

There a few apples in the fridge. I can make an apple pie.

A little means not much, but enough. It is used with uncountable nouns.

He put a little money aside so as to go on holiday this summer.

few/little means hardly any, not enough and can be used with very for emphasis.

(Very) few people go to work by bike. We've got (very) little time left. Hurry up! 

What goes with countable nouns?

A couple of. several, a few, many, both, a (large/great/ good) number of are followed by a countable noun.

There were several people at the meeting. 

What goes with uncountable nouns?

(Too) much, a little, a great/good deal of, a large/small amount/quantity of are followed by an uncountable noun.

She has made a good deal of progress in her studies. 

What goes with countable and uncountable nouns?

A lot of, lots of, hardly any, some, no, plenty of are followed by a countable or uncountable noun.

She has bought a lot of dresses. We've had plenty of rain this year. 

Multiple Choice

Rescue workers found very ............. survivors in the rubble.

• few

• little

Multiple Choice

............ people lost their loved ones in the earthquake.

• A lot of

• Much

Multiple Choice

There was only ............. water left .

• a little

• a few

• little

• few

Multiple Choice

............ people in the town didn't have .............electricity after the earthquake.

• Most, some

• Too much, any

• Most, any

• Too much, some

Multiple Choice

There wasn't ........... hope of finding .......... survivors in the burning building.

• much, any

• many, any

• much, some

• many, some

Multiple Choice

Do you mind if I ask you ............... questions?

• some

• a few

• few

• a lot of

Multiple Choice

There's not ........... sugar in the cupboard.

• little

• a lot of

• much

• A large number of

Multiple Choice

I'm having .............. of trouble passing my driving exam.

• several

• a lot

• a great number

• a little

Multiple Choice

Which phrase is NOT possible in each sentence?

There was ........... rain in the days after the earthquake.

• a large amount of

• a great deal of

• a number of

• plenty of

Multiple Choice

Which phrase is NOT possible in each sentence?

He heard ........... amazing survival stories after the disaster.

• quite a lot of

• quite a few

• a little

• plenty of

Multiple Choice

Which phrase is NOT possible in each sentence?

There were ............. survivors.

• no

• hardly any

• any

• a small number of

Multiple Choice

Which phrase is NOT possible in each sentence?

............ nuclear power plants were damaged during the earthquake .

• Much

• A large number of

• Several

• A couple of

Multiple Choice

Which phrase is NOT possible in each sentence?

.............. of them had lost their homes.

• AII

• Several

• Every

• Each

Both - Either/Neither

Both refers to two people or things. It has a positive meaning and takes a verb in the plural. It is the opposite of neither/not either.

Mark and Bob ore businessmen. Both Mark and Bob are businessmen. They are both businessmen. Both of them are businessmen. Both men are businessmen.

Either (= anyone of two) / Neither (= not the one and not the other) refers to two people or things and are used before singular countable nouns.

Neither car is cheap enough for me to buy. Neither of/Either of take a verb either in the singular or plural.

Neither of the boys like/likes football. 

ALL

All refers to more than two people or things. It has a positive meaning and takes a verb in the plural. It is the opposite of none.

All the students passed the exam.

All of them passed the exam.

They all passed the exam.

All + that·clause (=the only thing) takes a singular verb.

All that she did was complain about everything. 

None

None refers to more than two people or things. It has a negative meaning and isn't followed by a noun.

"Is there any juice left" - "No, none."

None of is used before nouns or object pronouns followed by a verb either in the singular or plural. It is the opposite of all . None of the students/them has/have finished the project.

Note: no + noun.

There's no time to study. 

Every, each

Every is used with singular countable nouns. It refers to a group of people or things and means all, or each.

She has to pay a rent every month.

Each is used with singular countable nouns. It means one by one, considered individually (it usually means only two).

Each member of the winning team was awarded a medal.

Every one and each (one) have of constructions.

Every one of/Each (one) of the students was invited to the graduation ceremony. 

Whole

Whole (= complete) is used with countable nouns. We always use a. the, this, my, etc + whole + countable noun.

the whole day = all day

Both, either, neither

both ... and ... + plural verb

Both Julie and Debbie are nurses.

Either ... or ... / Neither ... nor /Not only ... but also ... + singular or plural verb depending on the subject which follows nor, or, but also .

Neither Mary nor Jessica is computer literate. Either Tom or his parents are going la meet you at the airport. 

Multiple Choice

............................. Anna nor Steve were in Japan when the earthquake struck.

• the whole of

• both

• neither

• either

• none

Multiple Choice

Sadly, ....................... the tsunami and the earthquake caused terrible damage.

• the whole of

• both

• neither

• either

• none

Multiple Choice

................ the world was shocked.

• the whole of, , , . .

• both

• neither

• either

• none

Multiple Choice

.............................. we leave now or wait until they come.

• the whole of

• both

• neither

• either

• none

Multiple Choice

Lots of people were in the building when the fire broke out, but fortunately ........................ of them got hurt.

• the whole of

• both

• neither

• either

• none

Multiple Choice

A: Are you from Spain or from Italy?

B: .............. . I'm from Portugal.

• Neither

• Either

• Both

• none

Multiple Choice

............. can win this game.

• Both of us

• Both us

• The both of us

Multiple Choice

He showed us two apartments but we didn't like ................ of them.

• either

• neither

• both

Multiple Choice

The match was really boring. ............ team played well.

• Both

• Either

• Neither

Multiple Choice

Tom and Kev were at the concert, but I didn't see ............. of them.

• both

• either

• neither

• none

Multiple Choice

There wasn't ........... hope of finding .......... survivors in the burning building.

• much, any

• many, any

• much, some

• many, some