The document explains the concept of quantifiers, which indicate quantity and are used with countable and non-countable nouns. It distinguishes between countable nouns (e.g., hours, cars) that can be limited and non-countable nouns (e.g., attention, time) that cannot be easily quantified. The document also provides examples of various quantifiers and their usage with both types of nouns.

1. Countable and non-countable nouns Quantifiers

2. What are “quantifiers”? A quantifier is a word which indicates quantity , i.e how much. It is found before: nouns some people Adjective + noun many interesting plays Adverb + adjective a few very good ideas + noun

3. What’s the difference? Take a look at the sentences in the next side. Pay attention to the nouns in each sentence. You will see that some are in pink and others are in blue . What do you notice about the nouns?

4. Just a few hours earlier Sly had been to the store. He paid very little attention to what I was saying. There were many cars in the line at the car wash. Much time has been wasted on this topic already.

5. Countable or uncountable nouns The nouns hours and cars are objects that we can count. Attention and time are concepts that are indefinite, we cannot limit them. When we can put a limit on the noun, it then becomes countable. Look at the following examples.

6. We haven’t saved much money for our trip. We haven’t saved many coins and bills for our trip. The only way to make money concrete (tangible) is to use coins or bills . These we can count. Look at the following examples:

7. Few vs little I drank a few glasses of wine . We had a few foreign coins left after our trip abroad. My mother cooked a few cups of rice . I bought a few bottles of oil in the shop. ___countable nouns I drank a little wine . We had little money to spend while on holiday. There was little rice in the supermarket. There is too much oil in the pan. ___non countable

8. Much or Many ? I’m sorry. I don’t have much time today to talk to you. She doesn’t have much practical knowledge . We can’t spend much money on renovations this year. ___count nouns “ How many hours do you have free in the week?” She has many books on the topic, though. We bought many bags of cement for the work site. ___non countable

9. ..and with both Some quantifiers can be used with both countable and non-countable nouns. Look at these examples:

10. It’ll take some effort to move the stone. There is enough time for coffee before the flight leaves. She’ll earn a lot of money when she gets her promotion. Some stones can’t be moved. I have enough notes to study for the exam. They bought a lot of suitcases with them.

11. Some or any There are some people standing in the rain. I bought some cookies from the store. We haven’t seen our friends for some time . Do you have any idea of the time? Is there any rice in the supermarket? Did any of the guests return your call?

12. Any in negative statements. Any can be used with both countable and uncountable nouns when the sentence is negative . Look at the following examples .

13. We won’t have any time to study. They didn’t bring any sandwiches with them. It doesn’t take any effort to move that stone. There aren’t any people standing outside. He doesn’t have any money to pay. You can’t find any books to buy here. ___ Countable nouns ___ non countable

14. any enough a lot of many I don’t have friends. books. cars. phones . I have Countable nouns Quantifier some enough a lot of a few several many

15. any enough a lot of much I don’t have money. time. water. food. patience. I have Non-count nouns Quantifier some enough a lot of a little a great deal of much