This document summarizes various English quantifiers: 1. It defines the uses of "some" and "any" with uncountable and plural nouns. "Some" is used in questions expecting a positive response and when offering something. "Any" is used in affirmative sentences and conditional sentences. 2. It explains that "much" and "many" are used with uncountable and plural nouns respectively, especially in questions and negatives. "Many" is also used formally in affirmatives. 3. Expressions like "a lot of", "lots of", "plenty of", and "a great deal of" are used with both countable and uncountable nouns to

1. QUANTIFIERS

2. 1. Some and any.
+
Some (any)
I have some bad news
Uncountable and plural.
-
Any
I don’t have any qualifications
Uncountable and plural.
?
Any + Some
Do you have any money?
Did she give you some money?
Uncountable and plural.

3. ‘Some’ in questions
If you anticipate a positive response.
Did you get some nice Christmas presents
this year?
When you are offering something and
want to encourage the other person to
accept.
Would you like some dessert?
When you are requesting something for
yourself or that you want to be done.
Can you get some milk?

4. ‘Any’ in affirmative sentences.
+ countable nouns. It is not important
which one.
Press any key.
In conditional sentences (some = any).
If you need any help, just ask.
After ‘negative’ words
I forgot to get any bread.
There’s hardly any more work now.

5. Complete this sentence:
• Do you have __________ bread?

6. 2. ‘Much’ and ‘Many’
Plural countable nouns.
Questions and negative
sentences.
How many brothers do you How much money do you
have?
have in your purse?
I don’t have many CDs.
Affirmatives (formal).
Uncountable nouns.
You don’t have much
coffee in your cup.
Many families come back
There was so much food.
to our hotel year after year.

7. Common mistakes
• I have much cheese.
• I spent much money this afternoon.
• I didn’t spend much money = I spent a lot of
money.

8. 3. ‘A lot of’, ‘lots of’, ‘plenty of’, ‘a
great deal of’
A lot of
+ uncountable noun + singular verb.
A lot of
+ plural countable noun + plural verb.
Plenty of / lots of
Informal.
A great deal of
Formal.

9. Jin has plenty of corn.
• Does he have a small quantity or a large
quantity?
• Does he have lots of corn?
• Does he have a great deal of corn?
• Does he have more than enough corn?
• Can I say ‘he has much corn’? Why not?

10. 4. ‘Few’ and ‘A few’. ‘Little’ and ‘A
little’.
Positive connotation
Negative connotation
Formal / Informal
Plural countable nouns.
A few
Few / very few
Uncountable nouns.
A little
Little / very little
Exception
I have few difficulties.

11. He saw a few policemen.
•
•
•
•
Did he see some policemen?
Did he see a large number of policemen?
Did he see only one policeman?
How many did he see exactly?

12. He saw few policemen.
•
•
•
•
•
Did he see some policemen?
Did he see a large number of policemen?
Did he see only one policeman?
How many did he see exactly?
Did he see as many policemen as he
expected?

13. Guess the country
Mountains, wildlife, pyramids, skyscrapers,
snow, crime, sand, traffic, camels, bicycles,
religions, beaches, languages, fresh water,
tourism, people, pollution…