Quantifier much many little few
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The document explains the usage of quantifiers in English, specifically 'much,' 'many,' 'few,' 'little,' and 'a lot of.' It outlines rules for using these terms with countable and uncountable nouns, as well as their implications in positive, negative, and question formats. Additionally, it provides examples to clarify proper usage and highlights common mistakes.
Quantifier much many little few
- 1. much, many, few, little, a lot of
- 2. much little VS many few • We use much and little with uncountable nouns: much time; much luck; little energy; little money • We use many and few with plural nouns: many friends; many people; few cars; few countries
- 3. • We use a lot of/lots of/plenty of with uncountable and plural nouns: a lot of luck lots of time plenty of money a lot of friends lots of people plenty of ideas Plenty = more than enough: There's no need to hurry. We've got plenty of time. I've had plenty to eat. I don't want any more.
- 4. • We use much/many especially in negative sentences and questions. A lot (of) is also possible: We didn't spend much money. (or We didn't spend a lot of money.) Do you know many people? (or Do you know a lot of people?) I don't go out much. (or I don't go out a lot.)
- 5. • In positive sentences a lot (of) is more usual. Much is unusual in positive sentences in spoken English: We spent a lot of money. (not 'We spent much money') He goes out a lot. (not 'He goes out much')
- 6. • You can use many in positive sentences, but a lot (of) is more usual in spoken English: A lot of people (or Many people) drive too fast. • But note that we use too much and so much in positive sentences: We spent too much money.
- 7. • Little and few (without 'a') are negative ideas (= not much/not many): We must be quick. There is little time. (= not much, not enough time) He isn't popular. He has few friends. (= not many, not enough friends) You can say very little and very few: There is very little time. He has very few friends.
- 8. • A little and a few are more positive. A little = some, a small amount: Let's go and have a drink. We've got a little time before the train leaves. (a little time = some time, enough time to have a drink) 'Do you speak English?' 'A little.' (so we can talk a bit)
- 9. • A few = some, a small number: I enjoy my life here. I have a few friends and we meet quite often. (a few friends = not many but enough to have a good time) 'When did you last see Clare?' 'A few days ago.' (= some days ago)
- 10. • Compare: He spoke little English, so it was difficult to communicate with him. He spoke a little English, so we were able to communicate with him. She's lucky. She has few problems. (= not many problems) Things are not going so well for her. She has a few problems. (= some problems)
- 11. In some of these sentences much is incorrect or unnatural. Change much to many or a lot (of) where necessary. 1.We didn't spend much money. _RIGHT_ 2.Sue drinks much tea. _a lot of tea_ 3.Jim always puts much salt on his food. 4.We'll have to hurry. We haven't got much time. 5.Did it cost much to repair the car? 6.It cost much to repair the car. 7.I don't know much people in this town. 8.I use the phone much at work. 9.They've got so much money they don't know what to do with it.