Quantifiers

Mohammed V University of Rabat Grammar 1 (Groups: A & B)
The Faculty of Letters and Human Sciences Semester 1 - Fall: 2024-2025

Department of English Language and Literature Prof. ALAMI MERROUNI.
Quantifiers
> Quantifiers are words that are used to state quantity or amount of something without stating the
actual number.
> Quantifiers answer the questions "How many?" and "How much?"
> Like articles, quantifiers are words that precede and modify nouns. They tell us how many or how
much. Selecting the correct quantifier depends on your understanding the distinction
between Countable and Non-Countable Nouns.
- A lot of / Lots of -
When do we use a lot of and when lots of?
These phrases are mainly used in informal English – lots of sounds a bit more informal than a lot of. Both
forms are used in singular and in plural sentences.
It is not the phrase a lot of or lots of which determines singular or plural, but the noun of the sentence
(here: water and computers).
. Informal English
Singular
A lot of water is wasted.
Lots of water is wasted.
Plural
A lot of computers are needed at schools.
Lots of computers are needed at schools.
. Formal English
In formal English we use plenty of or much and many instead of a lot of/lots of.
Singular
Plenty of water is wasted.
Much water is wasted.
Plural
Plenty of computers are needed at schools.
Many computers are needed at schools.
- Each / Every -
When do we use each and when every?
The words each and every have similar meanings:
Every time I go to work, the red car is parked in front of the office.
Each time I go to work, the red car is parked in front of the office.
But each and every are not always interchangeable. There are situations where you can either
use each or every.
• Each is used when you see the persons in a group as individuals.
• Every is used when you see the persons in a group as a unit.
Use each:
o For two persons or things:
There are two boys. Each is smiling.
o Each as a pronoun:
There are five worksheets. Please take one of each.
o Each before a verb:
The students each received a free copy of the magazine.
Use every:
o For three or more persons or things
The manager wants to speak to every employee in his office.
o Has to be used before a noun
They enjoyed every minute of their holidays.
o For repeated actions
I get up at 6 o'clock every morning.
The show will be broadcast every other Monday.
Every time I go shopping I gent unnecessary items.
There's a tram every ten minutes.
Singular or plural and each, every
• If each is used after a subject in the plural (the girls), the verb is used in the plural (have):
The girls each have written an e-mail.
The girls each have written e-mails.
• If every should be used in this sentence, the singular of the verb is used (has):
Every girl has written an e-mail.
- Much / Many – (A) little / (A) few -

When do we use much and when many?
Much: uncountable nouns (milk, marmalade, money, time etc.)
Many: countable nouns (bottles of milk, jars of marmalade, dollars, minutes etc.)
Examples:
How much money have you got?
How many dollars have you got?
In informal English these questions are often answered with a lot of, lots of. There is no much difference
between the two phrases.
When do we use a little/little and when a few/few?

A little: non countable nouns (milk, marmalade, money, time etc.)
A few: countable nouns (bottles of milk, jars of marmalade, dollars, minutes etc.)
Examples:
He has a little money left.
He has a few dollars left.
We use few and little without the article a to point out a more negative meaning.
Examples:
A few students of our school know this. (There are some students who know it.)
Few students know this. (It is almost unknown.)
I have a little time before my train leaves. (There is some time.)
I have little time before my train leaves. (There is nearly no time.)
- Some / Any -
When do we use some and when any?
We use some and any for an amount which is not known e.g. Have you got any crisps?
Use of some and any
• Some: affirmative statements, offers, requests and in questions when you expect the answer ›yes‹
• Any: negative statements, questions.
Have you got any bananas? No, we haven't got any. But we've got some oranges.
*(!) Exceptions:
I would like to buy fruit at a market. I see the man has wonderful apples so I can ask him:
Can I have some of these apples?
If I do not see apples or if I am not sure whether there are apples at all I use any in this question.
Have you got any apples?
- Something / Anything and other compounds -

Compounds with some and any
The compounds with some and any are used like the single words some/any.
Compounds Sentences
something, anything There is something wrong with our car.
someone, anyone* There is someone at the door.
somebody, anybody* I would like to be somebody.
someday Someday he'll be rich.
sometime, anytime We saw her sometime last month.
sometimes I sometimes take the bus to school.
someplace, anyplace, somewhere,
Can we meet somewhere else?
anywhere
somehow, anyhow, someway, anyway She looked ill, somehow.
anymore I can't help you anymore.
* The compounds someone/anyone and somebody/anybody are nearly identical.
What is the difference between someone and somebody?
• Someone is used for a more special person and somebody for a person in general.
There's someone at the door.

I'd like to be somebody.

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Mohammed V University of Rabat Grammar 1 (Groups: A & B)

The Faculty of Letters and Human Sciences Semester 1 - Fall: 2024-2025

Singular or plural and each, every

- Much / Many – (A) little / (A) few -

When do we use a little/little and when a few/few?

Use of some and any

- Something / Anything and other compounds -

What is the difference between someone and somebody?

There's someone at the door.

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