QUANTIFIERS

MUCH, MANY, FEW, LITTLE, A LOT OF, SOME, ANY,

COUNTABLE NOUNS

SINGULAR

AND

PLURAL

Quantifiers Countable nouns Affirmative Negative Interrogative

singular

-a

- an

- There’s a banana on the table.

- There’s an apple in the fridge.

- I don’t want to have a banana.

- don’t want to have an apple.

- Is there a banana on the table ?

- Is there an apple in the fridge ?

Quantifiers Countable nouns

Affirmative Negative Interrogative

Plural

-some

- any

(We don't know how many)

- There are some vegetables on the table.

×

×

- There aren’t any vegetables on the table.

×

- Are there any vegetables in the fridge ?

Quantifiers Countable nouns

Affirmative

Negative Interrogative

Plural

many

(a large number)

- Many Chinese plates are good.

N.B. (A bit formal. Not too common.

If not, we use a lot of /lots of).

- There aren’t many carrots in the fridge

- Do we need many carrots ?

Quantifiers Countable nouns Affirmative Negative Interrogative

Plural

a few

(not many, a small number)

- There are a few oranges on the table.

x x

Quantifiers Countable nouns

Affirmative Negative Interrogative

Plural

- a lot of / lots of

- no (followed by a noun)

- There are a lot of / lots of tomatoes in the fridge.

- I have no tomatoes.

x

x

x

x

UNCOUNTABLE NOUNS

Quantifiers Uncountable nouns Affirmative Negative Interrogative

SINGULAR

- some

- any

- I drink some coffee for breakfast

x

×

- I don’t drink any coffee for breakfast

×

- Do you drink any coffee for breakfast ?

Quantifiers Uncountable nouns

Affirmative Negative Interrogative

SINGULAR

much

(a big quantity)

- Much of the Moroccan food is good.

N.B. (A bit formal. Not too common.

If not, we use a lot of /lots of).

- We don’t have much cheese at home

-Do you have much cheese at home ?

Quantifiers Uncountable nouns Affirmative Negative Interrogative

SINGULAR

a little

(a small quantity)

- I need a little butter to prepare the cake.

x x

Quantifiers Uncountable nouns Affirmative Negative Interrogative

SINGULAR

- a lot of/lots of

- no (followed by a noun)

-I eat a lot of / lots of chocolate.

- I have no milk in the fridge.

x

x

x

x

PRACTICERead the differences of these English cities

Canterbury Billingham

% unemployment 9% 49%

% families with two cars 71 % 9%

% empty shops 7 % 31%

Number of tourists 1.2 millon 5000

Use the words in the box to complete the questions and answers

a lot of a lot a few a little much many

1. How .............. unemployment is there in Billingham ? There’s ..............

2. Is there ................. unemployment in Canterbury ? No, there is

only ................

3. How ............ families with two cars are there in Canterbury? There are

quite ...................

4. Are there .............. in Billingham? No, there are only ................

5. Are there ............ empty shops in Billingham ? Yes, ...........

6. Are there .................. In Canterbury? No there are only ....................

7. How ............. tourists visit Canterbury each year? ..........................

much

a lot

much

a little

many

a lot

many a few

many a lot

many a few

many a lot

Decide if the following sentences are correct or incorrect. Correct the wrong ones. Good luck!1) Are there some products in the market?

2) There is a woman in the office.

3) There aren’t any trains after 11 o’clock.

4) We haven’t got any oranges now.

5) There is a lot of animals in the zoo

6) Is there some water in the lake?

7) There is some people visiting the animals.

CORRECT

CORRECT

CORRECT

INCORRECT - Are there any products in the market?

INCORRECT - There are some people visiting the animals

INCORRECT - Is there any water in the lake?

INCORRECT - There are a lot of animals in the zoo

8. Is there much water in the river?

9. There isn’t a umbrella next to the door.

10. Sue drinks a lot of tea.

11. How many students there are in the classroom?

12. Is there any book on the table?

13. I don’t know much people in this town.

14. There is a lot of oil in Kuwait.

15. There are any cars on the road today INCORRECT – There are many cars on the road

INCORRECT – I don’t know many/any people in this town

INCORRECT – How many students are there in the classroom?

INCORRECT – There isn’t an umbrella next to the door

INCORRECT – Are there any books on the table?

CORRECT

CORRECT

CORRECT