What are quantifiers? We use quantifiers (A Lot Of, A Few, A Little, A Bit…) when we want to give information about the number of something: how much or how many. Let's take a look at it below.
Quantifier Definition
Quantifiers form a sub-category under determiners. They are adjectives or phrases that answer two possible questions:
1. How many?
2. and How much?
For example: a few, a little, much, many, most, some, any, enough, etc., are quantifiers.
How to Use Quantifiers
Quantifiers that Describe Quantity
Quantifiers that describe quantity include a little, none, a few, etc. Some of these are used only with:
Countable nouns – These are the nouns that answer the question "How many?"
For example: a few, a number of, several, etc.
Uncountable nouns – These are the nouns that answer the question How much?
For example: a little, a bit of, etc. )
Some of them are also used with both. These are the ones that answer both questions, for example: such as no/none, some, a lot of, etc.
Quantifiers that Express Attitude
The words few, little and the phrases – a few and a little serve to describe the speaker’s attitude to the quantity being described. The first two carry negative suggestions, whereas the last two carry positive suggestions. For example:
The sentence"I have little time" means that the speaker hardly has time, whereas the phrase "I have a little time" means that while the speaker may not have all the time in the world, but s/he has enough for the purpose at hand.
"Enough"
Enough is used to indicate the necessary amount or quantity; it is placed before nouns. For example:
- There is enough time,
- You have enough money,
- Is there enough food?
Comparative Quantifiers
There are ten comparative or grade quantifiers: much, many, more, most, few, fewer, fewest, little, less, and least.
Much, many, more and most describe (in ascending order) increase; much is used only with uncountable nouns, many only with plural countable nouns, and more and most with both.
I have much time. < I have more time. < I have the most time.
Few, fewer, fewest, little, less and least chart decrease. The first three (in descending order) are used only with countable plural nouns. The last three (in descending order) are used only with uncountable nouns.
He has few friends. > He has fewer friends. > He has the fewest friends.
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FAQs
What are quantifiers? We use quantifiers (A Lot Of, A Few, A Little, A Bit…) when we want to give information about the number of something: how much or how many.
What is quantifiers in English a lot of? ›
We use many, much, a lot (of) to refer to big quantities. We use 'many' with countable nouns and 'much' with uncountable nouns, and we can use 'a lot (of)' with both countable and uncountable nouns. In modern English it is very common to use 'a lot (of)' in affirmative sentences instead of 'many' and 'much'.
What are the examples of 10 quantifiers? ›
Examples of quantifiers include many, few, several, all, any, some, enough, a lot of, a little, a few, and a great deal of.
Is a little a few a lot a quantifier? ›
These words are called quantifiers and help us express an indeterminate amount of something. We will use one quantifier or another depending on the amount (higher or lower) and the type of noun (countable or uncountable).
What is the difference between a few, a little, and a lot of? ›
“There were few people at the concert.” “A few” is more in quantity than “few”; and “a little” is more in quantity than “l*ttle”. “Few people understand” (not many people understand), compared to “a few people understand” (some people understand).
What is quantifiers examples a lot? ›
In positive sentences, we use a lot of/lots of with countable or uncountable nouns to talk about a big quantity of something.
- He eats a lot of apples.
- I drink lots of milk.
We use a little with singular uncountable nouns. We use a few with plural countable nouns: Mary said nothing, but she drank some tea and ate a little bread. We stayed a few days in Florence and visited the museums.
What is an example of a few and a few? ›
'A few' means 'some', whereas 'few' means 'not a lot of'. In the examples you have provided, 'A few reports have been published' means that 'Some reports have been published', whereas 'Few reports have been published' means that 'Not many reports have been published'.
What is the difference between a lot and a lot? ›
The two terms sound the same but have different spellings. A lot is spelled as two words, and a lot has an additional “l.” Their meanings differ as well. A lot is an adverb or pronoun that means “a large quantity,” while allot is a verb that means “to set aside for a specific purpose.” A lot is a misspelling of a lot.
What is an example of little and a little? ›
When you use little without `a', you are emphasizing that there is only a small quantity or amount of something. So, for example, if you say `I have a little money', you are saying that you have some money. However, if you say `I have little money', you mean that you do not have enough money.
Use a lot for uncountable nouns (e.g., jam, time) to indicate many, or a large number. Use a little for uncountable nouns to indicate a small number. Notice that a lot is followed by the word of (unike a little).
What is an example of a few a little? ›
I always enjoy a little cream and sugar in my coffee. Jesse has a few speeding tickets, so his insurance rate is higher than mine. We have a little extra time this afternoon; do you want to watch a movie? There were a few horses grazing in front of the barn.
What is a few in quantifiers? ›
Few is a quantifier used with plural countable nouns. Without the article “a,” few emphasizes a small number of something. Adding the article removes the emphasis—a few means some. The same rule applies to little, which is used with singular uncountable nouns.
What is the meaning of a lot and a few? ›
In terms of grammar, 'a lot of' can be used with both countable and uncountable nouns, while 'a few' can only be used with countable; 'a little' is the equivalent for uncountable nouns.
What is the difference between a little and a bit? ›
A bit is a (usually small) piece or amount of something. If you add 'little' you are either emphasising that the piece of something or the amount of something in question is very small. Or if there are a number of bits which are not all of the same size the smaller ones are 'little bits' compared to the larger ones.
Where to use a lot of and lots of? ›
A lot of, lots of with a noun
Lots of is more informal than a lot of. A lot of and lots of can both be used with plural countable nouns and with singular uncountable nouns for affirmatives, negatives, and questions: We've got lots of things to do.
What are the quantifiers a large amount of? ›
In general, 'much' and 'many' are the standard quantifiers used to express large quantities.
Is a lot of countable or uncountable? ›
A lot of (or lots of) can be used with both countable and uncountable nouns. There are lots of apples on the trees. There is a lot of snow on the road.
What part of speech is "a lot of"? ›
“A lot of “ is an adjective while “A lot” is not eg- I have travelled a lot of places and discovered a lot of cultures. This is tricky but an interesting concept.
What does much many and a lot mean in quantifiers? ›
Much, many, and a lot are quantifiers that all mean 'a large amount of'.
