Marmara Elt Resources

Quantifiers -Few-Little-A Few-A Little
THese quantifiers are used to show a small quantity of something, for example “I have a few books” means I have a small quantity of books.
A Few
A few is used with countable nouns to show a small quantity. It is used in affirmative statements, but not negatives. We generally use any or questions. For example:
- I have a few books.
- I don’t have a few books
This is incorrect.
- I don’t have any books
This is correct.
- Do you have a few books?
Sometimes this is possibe, but generally speaking we use any for questions, for example “Do you have any books?”
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Quantifiers -Much-Many-A Lot of
Quantifiers are words that show how much there is of something - they show quantity. Much, many, and a lot of indicate a large quantity of something, for example “I have a lot of milk” means I have a large quantity of milk.

Much

Much is used with uncountable nouns, and is generally used in negative statements and questions. It’s uncommon to use much in positive statements. For example:
- I don’t have much money.
- Do you have much time?
- “I have much time.” This sounds unusual.

Many

Many is used with plural countable nouns, and is often used in negative statements and questions. It is also used in positive statements however. For example:
- I don’t have many apples.
- Do you have many friends?
- Many people come here in summer.
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Quantifiers - Some/Any
Quantifiers are words that show how much there is of something - they show quantity. Numbers for example are also quantifiers.

Some
Some is used to show an indefinite quantity, the exact number is not important. It is used in affirmative statements, for example:
- I have some books.
- She wants some apples.

Some is also in questions, but only when you think the answer wil be “Yes”. For example:
- Do you have some paper? (I hope the answer is “Yes”)
- Would you like some french fries? ( I expect the anwer is “Yes”)
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When using certain noun phrases (some of, a lot of, both, either, neither, etc.) as subjects, be aware of subject-verb agreement.
See the examples below.

Unusual usage:

Another, the other, and the others

Both, Neither,and Either

Both Tom and Jerry are here.

Either Pat or Jake is coming.

Neither dogs nor cats are allowed in the office.

Either Mrs. Smith or her kids were at the party.

Neither Jim’s parents nor his sister was at the party.

Group nouns
Group nouns can be plural or singular depending on the context.

The team is scheduled to play next Friday. (as a unit)

The team are negotiating for pay raises. (as individual members)

The management does not allow smoking inside the building.

The staff is/are giving the boss a “going-away party.”

The herd is/are running in different directions.