Page 50 - English Grammar - 7

Uses of Quantifiers

Quantifiers are used to indicate the amount or quantity of something. They can be used
with both countable and uncountable nouns.

Much and Many

Much and many are used in interrogative and negative sentences. These are also used in
affirmative and negative sentences in combination with too and so. For example:

My brother has many friends.
O
This chocolate has too much sugar in it.
O
There were so many calls that I lost the count.
O

A few and A little
A few (for countable nouns) and a little (for uncountable nouns) are used to describe a quantity
in a positive way, implying that although the speaker may not have much, he has enough.
For example:

I have a few chocolates for distribution.
O
Don’t worry! I do have a little money left with me.
O
Few and Little

Few (for countable nouns) and little (for uncountable nouns) are used to describe a quantity
in a negative way, which means ‘not as much as expected or wished for’. For example:
Few birds come here to rest.
O
There is little water left in this lake.
O
Some and Any

Some and any are used in both interrogative and affirmative sentences. They do not tell any
specific number or amount. For example:

They ate the bread with some honey and milk.
O
Did you meet any of your friends in Goa?
O
Determiners Choose the quantifiers from those given in the brackets to fill in the blanks.

Practice Time 4

1. I will go fetch _______________ (few/some) cold water for us.

2.

3. This is the _______________ (third/three) time that they have shifted house this year.
_______________ (Little/Few) people can do the good work that he did.
4. _______________ (A little/Little) do we know of that strange old man.
5. May I have _______________ (much/some) more of that orange juice?
6. Do I have to repeat everything _______________ (two/twice) to you?
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