Quantifiers

Quantifiers

By Andrea Neira

​A quantifier is a word or phrase which is used before a noun to indicate the amount or quantity:

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'Some', 'many', 'no', 'none', 'any', 'much', 'many', 'little', 'plenty; 'a lot (of)' and 'a few' are examples of quantifiers.

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Quantifiers can be used with both countable and uncountable nouns.

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Next you will find the rules to learn when to use them.​

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• Some and Any (countable & uncountable noun)

​In general we use some (also somebody/someone/something) in positive sentences and any (also anybody etc.) in negative sentences:

​We use any in the following sentences because the meaning is negative:

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• She went out without any money, (she didn't take any money with her)

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• He refused to eat anything, (he didn't eat anything)

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• It's a very easy exam. Hardly anybody fails. (= almost nobody fails)

​We use both some and any in questions.

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We use some/somebody/something to talk about a person or thing that we know exists, or we think exists:

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Example: Are you waiting for somebody?

​We use some in questions when we offer or ask for things:

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Example: Would you like something to eat?

Can I have some sugar, please?

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But in most questions, we use any. We do not know if the thing or person exists:

Example: ‘Do you have any luggage?'

‘No, I don't.' I can't find my bag. Has anybody seen it?

​We often use any after if:

Example: If anyone has any questions, I'll be pleased to answer them.

Let me know if you need anything.

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The following sentences have the idea of if:

Example: I'm sorry for any trouble I’ve caused. (= if I have caused any trouble) Anyone who wants to do the exam should tell me by Friday. (= if there is anyone)

​We also use any with the meaning 'it doesn't matter which'.

Examples:

You can take any bus. They all go to the centre. (= it doesn't matter which bus you take)

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'Sing a song.' 'Which song shall I sing?' ‘Any song. I don't mind.' (= it doesn't matter which song)

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Come and see me any time you want.

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We use anybody/anyone/anything/anywhere in the same way. (It dsoesn't matters who, which, what, where)

Examples:

We forgot to lock the door. Anybody could have come in.

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‘Let's go out somewhere.' ‘Where shall we go?' ‘Anywhere. I just want to go out.'

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​Somebody/someone/anybody/anyone are singular words:

Examples:

​Someone is here to see you. But we use they/them/their after these words: Someone has forgotten their umbrella. (= his or her umbrella)

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If anybody wants to leave early, they can. (= he or she can)

No and none (Nothing/nobody, etc)

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​We use no + noun. No means: not a or not any.

Examples:

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We had to walk home because there was no bus. (= there wasn't a bus)

Sue will have no trouble finding a job. (= Sue won't have any trouble ...)

There were no shops open. (= There weren't any shops open.)

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You can also use no + noun at the beginning of a sentence. Example:

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No reason was given for the change of plan.

​We use none without a noun. Examples:

‘How much money do you have?' 'None.' (it means: I have no money)

All the tickets have been sold. There are none left. (it means: no tickets left)

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We also use none of ... Examples:

This money is all yours. None of it is mine.

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​Nothing nobody/no-one nowhere

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You can use these words at the beginning of a sentence or alone (as answers to questions) Examples:

‘What's going to happen?' 'Nobody (or No-one) knows.'

‘What happened?' ‘Nothing.'

'Where are you going?' ‘Nowhere. I'm staying here.'

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You can also use these words after a verb, especially after be and have. Example

The house is empty. There's nobody living there.

We had nothing to eat.

​Sometimes any/anything/anybody etc. means ‘it doesn't matter which/what/who'.

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Examples using no- and any-:

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There was no bus, so we walked home.

You can take any bus. They all go to the centre. (= it doesn't matter which) ‘What do you want to eat?' 'Nothing. I'm not hungry.'

I'm so hungry, i could eat anything. (= it doesn't matter what)

The exam was extremely difficult. Nobody passed. (= everybody failed)

The exam was very easy. Anybody could have passed. (= it doesn't matter who)

Multiple Choice

Choose the right word.

She didn't tell _________ about her plans

• nobody

• anybody

Multiple Choice

Choose the right word.

The accident looked bad, but fortunately ___________ was badly injured.

• nobody

• anybody

Multiple Choice

Choose the right word.

I looked out of the window, but I couldn't see ________________

• no-one

• anyone

Multiple Choice

Choose the right word.

My job is very easy. ___________ could do it.

• nobody

• anybody

Multiple Choice

Choose the right word.

What's in that box?' ‘___________. It's empty.'

• nothing

• anything

Multiple Choice

Choose the right word.

The situation is uncertain. _____________ could happen.

• nothing

• anything

Multiple Choice

Choose the right word.

I don't know _______________ about economics.

• nothing

• anything

Multiple Choice

Choose the right word.

I'll try to answer ________ questions you ask me.

• no

• any

Much, many, little, few, a lot, plenty​

​We use much and little with uncountable nouns:

much time // much luck // little energy // little money

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We use many and few with plural nouns (countable):

many friends // many people // few cars // few countries

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We use a lot of / lots of / plenty of with both uncountable and plural nouns:

a lot of luck // lots of time // plenty of money // a lot of friends lots of people // plenty of ideas

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Plenty = more than enough:

There's no need to hurry. We've got plenty of time.

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​Much (uncountable) is unusual in positive sentences (especially in spoken English). Compare:

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We didn't spend much money.

but we do say" 👍We spent a lot of money. (We don't say: XWe spent much money X)

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​We use many (countable) and a lot of (countable and uncountable) in all kinds of sentences:

Many people drive too fast. Or, you can also say: A lot of people drive too fast.

Do you know many people? or you can also say: Do you know a lot of people?

There aren’t many tourists here, or you can say: There aren't a lot of tourists here.

Note that we say many years / many weeks / many days (not a lot of ...): We've lived here for many years.

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​Little it means: not much, few - not many. Examples:

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​Gary is very busy with his job. He has little time for other things.

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Vicky doesn't like living in London. She has few friends there.

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You can say very little and very few: Gary has very little time for other things.

Vicky has very few friends in London.

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​A little (singular uncountable nouns)= some, a small amount:

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Let's go and have a coffee. We have a little time before the train leaves.

(this means we have some time, enough time to have a coffee)

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‘Do you speak English?' 'A little.' (so we can talk a bit)

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A few (plural countable nouns)= some, a small number:

I enjoy my life here. I have a few friends and we meet quite often. (a few friends means not many but enough to have a good time)

‘When was the last time you saw Clare?' ‘A few days ago.'

Let's compare little and a little, few and a few:

He spoke little English, so it was difficult to communicate with him.

He spoke a little English, so we were able to communicate with him.

She's lucky. She has few problems. (= not many problems)

Things are not going so well for her. She has a few problems. (= some problems)

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