QUANTIFIERS
Definition
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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.
Some &
Any
SOME | ANY |
Some is used in positive sentences. | Any is used for negative sentences |
EXAMPLES: | EXAMPLES: |
I have some peanuts for the monkeys. | I don't have any peanuts for them. |
Do you want some medicine for you ? | Is there any medicine for me? |
There is some tea in the pot. | Is there any tea in the pot? |
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Much & Much of
MUCH | MUCH OF |
Reserved for questions and negative statements’ |
Used as a quantifier. |
EXAMPLE: | EXAMPLE: |
How much snow fell yesterday? | Much of the
snow has already melted. |
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Most & Most of the
MOST | MOST OF THE |
Used with a general plural noun.(when you are not reffering to a specific entity),the “of the” is dropped. | It modifies a specific noun whether it ia a count or non count noun. |
Most colleges have their own admissions policy. | Most of the instructors at this college have a doctorate. |
Most students apply to several colleges. | Most of the water has evaporated. |
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Many A/Many An & Many
MANY A / MANY AN | MANY |
An indefinite
article is sometimes used in conjunction with the quantifier many, thus
joining a plural quantifier with a singular noun (which then takes a singular
verb). |
|
EXAMPLES: | EXAMPLES: |
*Many a young man has fallen in love with her golden hair. | *Many boys are playing. |
*Many an apple has fallen by October. | *Many students are attending the seminar. |
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Few & A Few
FEW | A FEW |
Few is regarded as
negative. When used, it implies scarcely any is available, almost none |
A few is regarded as positive. It describes a quantity that is viewed in a positive way |
EXAMPLE: | EXAMPLE: |
I have few clothes (= I have almost no clothes.) |
I have a few
clothes. (= I still have some clothes.) |
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Little & A Little
LITTLE | A LITTLE |
Little is regarded
as negative. When used, it implies scarcely any is available, almost none. |
A little is
regarded as positive. It describes a quantity that is viewed in a positive way. |
EXAMPLE: | EXAMPLE: |
I have got little
money. (= I have almost no money.) |
I have got a
little money. (= I still have some money.) |
Note
:--
* Little and a
little are used with uncountable nouns: little oil, a little oil.
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Much
& Many
MUCH | MANY |
Used with singular uncountable nouns | Used with plural countable nouns. |
examples | examples |
Don't put so much salt on your chips! | I saw many monkeys in the zoo. |
We don't earn much working here. | He doesn't have many fish in his aquarium. |
How much money do I owe you? | How many books have you read this year? |
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