Quantifiers! The quantifier is a type of determiner which can indicate quantity, or how many. Some examples of these might be all, many or few. These words are very useful to have in your English vocabulary as they will allow you to effectively refer to quantity.
In this section, we are going to be looking at quantifiers and how they are used within the language. This will allow you to gain a greater understanding of their function and become more confident when using them.
What is a Quantifier?
Quantifier definition: Aquantifieris a word or number that shows an amount or number.
Examples: one, each, every, a little, much…
Example sentences:
- I havea fewfriends.
- I havea littlemoney.
The quantifiera fewis used beforefriends, which is acountable noun.A littleis used beforemoney, anuncountable noun.
Quantifiers areadjectivesandadjective phrasesthat go before nouns. They give information abouthow muchorhow manyof an item you are talking about. Some quantifiers, like a few, few, manygo only before countable nouns. Others, likea little, little, muchgo only before uncountable nouns. And a few quantifiers can go before countable or uncountable nouns.
How to Use Quantifiers?
Learn how to use quantifiers withcountable and uncountable nounsin English with example sentences and ESL pictures.
Quantifiers Used with Countable Nouns (One, Each, Every)
One, eachandeveryare examples of countable noun quantifiers.
Examples:
- Onemovie that I enjoy is “The name of the King.”
- Eachchild had to give a short speech to the rest of the class.
- There are two boys.Eachis smiling.
- Everyglass in my recent order was chipped.
- The manager wants to speak toeveryemployee in his office.
- They enjoyedeveryminute of their holidays.
With plural count nouns, just addof thebetween the quantifier and the noun it describes.
- Oneof theboys tripped over and crashed into a tree.
- Eachof thecars has air conditioning.
- Every oneofthestudents is intelligent.
如果你有两个以上的可数的物品,你可以useseveral, a few, manyanda number of.
Examples:
- Severalvillages have been isolated by the heavy snowfall.
- I sawa fewprisoners run away from the prison.
- All she wanted wasa fewmoments on her own.
- Manystudents now see university as a stepping stone to a good job.
- We don’t havemanythings to do today.
- Howmanysiblings do you have?
- A number ofthe computers are imported.
Quantifiers Used with Uncountable Nouns (A Little, Much and A Great Deal of)
A little, muchanda great deal ofare examples of uncountable noun quantifiers.
Examples:
- Swirla littleoil around thefrying pan.
- She savesa littlemoney every month.
- She’s got somuchenergy she never seems to tire.
- She didn’t havemuchhomework last night.
- A motorcar costsa great deal ofmoney.
Quantifiers Used with both Countable and Uncountable Nouns
Some, most, plenty of, allandanyare examples of quantifier that can go with both countable and uncountable nouns
Examples:
- There issomebread apart from the milk.(uncountable noun)
- We’ve gotsomeoranges.(countable noun)
- Paul has strong opinions onmostsubjects.(countable noun)
- Don’t worry. We haveplenty oftime.(uncountable noun)
- Send me an e-mail when you haveanynews.(uncountable noun)
Last Updated on February 27, 2023
It was a great way to learn about quantufiers.