expressions of quantity

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 4

expressions of quantity 

" Much, many, (a) few, (a) little, a lot of, lots of"

Short recap of the rules

Much and Many

1. We use much with uncountable nouns in questions and negatives.

• How much money have you got?
  
• There isn’t much cheese left.
  

 

2. We use many with countable nouns in questions and negatives.

• How many people were at the party?
  
• I didn’t take many photos on holiday.
  

 

Some and Any (1/2)

1. Some is used in positive sentences.

I’d like some sugar

I bought some eggs

 

2. Any is used in negative sentences and questions.

There isn’t any butter in the fridge

I didn’t buy any apples.

Is there any sugar in this tea?

Have you got any brothers and sisters?

Some and Any (2/2)

3. We use some in questions that are requests or offers.

Can I have some cake?

Would you like some tea?

4. The rules are the same for the compounds someone, anything, anybody, somewhere, etc.

I’ve got something for you.

Hello! Is anybody here?

There isn’t anywhere to go in my town.

(a) Few and (a) little

1. We use a few with countable nouns

There are a few cigarettes left, but not many.

 

2. We use a little with uncountable nouns

Can you give me a little help?

Positive attitude

A few (for countable nouns) and a little (for uncountable nouns) describe the quantity in a positive way, implying that although the speaker may not have much, he has enough.

Examples

I've got a few friends. = I have enough friends.

I have a few flowers in my garden. = I have enough flowers.

I've got a little money. = I have enough money.

I have a little free time on Thursdays. = I have enough free time.

Negative attitude

Negative attitude

Few (for countable nouns) and little (for uncountable nouns) describe the quantity in a negative way. They may actually indicate a total lack of the noun, but are more polite than saying so directly.

Examples

Few people visited him in hospital. = he had almost no visitors, or perhaps no visitors at all.

I've seen few birds around here. = there are almost no birds, or perhaps not a single bird

He had little money for treats. = almost no money, or perhaps no money at all

I have little time for TV = almost no time, or perhaps no time at all

A lot/lots (of)

1. We use a lot/lots with both countable and uncountable nouns

There is a lot of butter

I’ve got lots of friends.

 

2. A lot/lots of can be used in questions and negatives

Are there lots of tourists in your country?

There isn’t a lot of butter, but there’s enough.

Test yourself 

After this slide there will be some exercises to practice the expressions of quantity. Note down where you need some more practice and look online for some extra practice exercises or ask your teacher. Good luck!

A little, little, a few, few

We have _____________ time left. Let's try to get finished quickly.

1. a little
2. little
3. a few
4. few

I have got very _____________ friends, so I'm alone most of the time.

1. few
2. a few
3. little
4. a little

What you need is _____________ more self-confidence.

1. few
2. a few
3. little
4. a little

There are _____________ cities in the world that have a multicultural society.

1. few
2. a few
3. little
4. a little

Have you got any money left in your bank account? Yes, I have _____________, but not very much.

1. few
2. a few
3. little
4. a little

We stayed in New York for _____________ days before moving on to the Midwest.

1. few
2. a few
3. little
4. a little

I have drunk _____________ water today, so I guess that's why I'm so thirsty.

1. few
2. a few
3. little
4. a little

Much and many

No, there isn't ..... milk in the bottle.

1. much
2. many

Are there ..... books in the library ?

1. much
2. many

Jimmy hasn't got ..... money in his wallet.

1. much
2. many

There aren't .... women in parliament.

1. much
2. many

There isn't ..... butter on my bread.

1. much
2. many

Some and Any +compounds

Can I have .... water, please?

1. any
2. some

We need .... bananas

1. any
2. some

You can't buy .... posters in this shop.

1. any
2. some

She always takes .... sugar with her coffee.

1. any
2. some

There are .... apples on the table.

1. any
2. some

Would you like .... money?

1. any
2. some

There isn't .... in the fridge!

1. something
2. anything

I heard .... coming down the stairs, but I couldn't see who it was.

1. anyone
2. someone

Handige sites om te oefenen 

https://agendaweb.org/grammar/quantifiers-quantity-exercises.html 

https://first-english.org/english_learning/english_beginners/expressions_of_quantities/a_much_many_expressions_of_quantity.htm

https://first-english.org/english_learning/english_beginners/expressions_of_quantities/00_expression_quantities_grammar_rules.htm (aanrader, hier staan ook nog eens alle regels op een rijtje, de oefeningen staan onder aan de pagina!)