QuantifiersDestiny, Praew, Kenta, and Angie

8 Basic Principles of Grammar

• Numbers-Partitives, Collectives, Quantifiers

--Quantifiers: some/anylittle/fewcomparatives

What does Quantifier Mean?

Definition of Quantifier

In grammar, a type of determiner (all, some, 1, 2, 3, or much) that expresses a relative or indefinite

indication of quantity.

• Quantifiers usually appear in front of nouns:

EX: All children…

• They may also function as pronouns:EX: All have returned.

http://grammar.about.com/od/pq/g/Quantifier.htm

Some and Any

Some

1. Some is used in affirmatives sentences.

EX: Larry bought some Hello-Kitty candies for Susan.

EX: Susan has some candies.

2. Some is used when we mean “not all.”

EX: Some animals respect Susan and Larry.

EX: Some people hate Susan.

3. Some is used in offers and requests in order to

sound positive, or when expecting the answer “Yes”.

EX: Larry, can you buy some Hello-kitty candies in

town?

EX: Susan, shall I send you some details?

Any

1. Any is used in sentences with a negative meaning.

EX: We haven’t got any Hello-kitty candies.

EX: Susan and Larry can’t speak any other

languages.

2. Any is used in other questions.

EX: Do you have any Hello-Kitty nails?

EX: Have Susan and Larry got any children?

3. Any is used commonly in “if” clauses.

EX: If you see any strange Hello-Kitties, please let

me know!

PracticeSome or Any?•Ken:  Do you have___brothers or sisters?•Susan:  No, I don't, but I have___cousins that love me like a real sister!

•Ken:  Are there____cinemas in this city? I really want to go to the movies!•Susan:   No, there aren't, but I have___movies at home if you want!

 •Ken: I have___cereal every morning, it is good for my health.•Susan:  I hate cereal!

•Susan:  Do you have___idea how to do this exercise?•Ken: No, I have no idea, but my mum gave me___books to study; maybe the answer is in one!

•Susan:  Can you give me___of your posters? You have a lot of them.•Ken: No, they are all mine. I can't give you___posters! However, I can give you___old magazines I have.•Susan: No, thanks. You are so selfish!

Practice

• Emily: Can I get some water?

• Ken: Do you have any money?

Few and Little

A Few/Few

• We use “a few” and “few” + a plural countable noun.EX: Few people, few books, few lettersEX: A few people, a few books, a few letters

• “A few” is a positive idea.EX: Fortunately, our financial situation is good: we still

have a few good customers.

• “Few” is a negative idea (It means ‘almost none,’ and we can also use “very few”).

EX: I'm very sad because I have few good friends.EX: I'm very sad because I have very few good friends. 

(Both these sentences mean I don't have many good friends - I would like to have more.)

• “A few” and “few” have irregular comparative and superlative forms.

EX: few - fewer - the fewestEX: a few - more - the most

A Little/Little

• “A little” is more than “little.”

• We use “a little” and “little” + an uncountable noun.EX: A little time, a little food, a little money…EX: Little time, little food, little money…

• “A little” is a positive idea (It means ‘some, but not much’).EX: I speak a little English, so I can help you.

• “Little” is a negative idea (It means ‘nearly none, nearly nothing,’ and we can also use very little).

EX: I can’t help you because I speak little English.EX: I can’t help you because I speak very little English.

(Both these sentences mean, “my English is bad.”)

• “A little” and “little” have irregular comparative and superlative forms.EX: A Little – More – the MostEX: Little – Less – the Least

Practice1. There's _____ wine left in the bottle. (few, little)

2. I've put _____ sugar into your coffee. (a little, a few)

3. There are _____ students in that classroom. (a few, a little)

4. He says _____ applicants have presented themselves. (little, few)

5. I can only speak ______ words of Chinese. (a little, a few)

6. All this kitten needs is ______ love and attention. (a little, a few)

Comparatives

Comparatives

FEW .EX: I'm very sad because I

have few good friends.

I’m very sad because I have fewer good friends than Jimmy.

LITTLE .EX: I speak a little English.

I speak less English than Jimmy.

These quantifiers identify a large or small difference in amounts.

MANY .EX: I have many apples.

I have more apples than Jimmy.

MUCH .EX: There is much money.

There is more money today than yesterday.

0% 100%

few /little

many/much

Subject-Verb + Comparative + Object 1 + “Than” + Object 2

Activity