Guide to English Quantifiers dash TOEIC® Preparation

Quantifiers refer to words or phrases used to express a quantity (large, small, imprecise, exact, etc.) placed before a noun. Mastering them is essential in English, as they allow for adding precision to a statement or avoiding redundancy. This guide aims to be comprehensive: we will explore all the fundamental quantifiers, their specific features, and their exceptional cases.

1. Fundamental Concepts: Countable and Uncountable Nouns

Before diving into the details of quantifiers, it is important to recall the distinction between:

• Countable nouns: these refer to items that can be counted as separate units (e.g., car, student, chair).
  • She owns three cars (countable).
• Uncountable nouns: these refer to items that cannot be counted individually (e.g., milk, knowledge, furniture).
  • We need some milk (uncountable).

Some quantifiers apply exclusively to countable nouns, others only to uncountable nouns, while others work in both cases.

To delve deeper into this topic, consult our course on countable and uncountable nouns.

2. Essential Quantifiers

A. Some

"Some" is mainly used in positive sentences with plural countable nouns or uncountable nouns to indicate a certain imprecise, but existing quantity.

• She has some colleagues in Paris. (an undefined number of colleagues, but several)
• They purchased some vegetables at the store.

"Some" is used in questions when making an offer or anticipating an affirmative response.

• Would you care for some tea? (polite offer, positive answer expected)

B. Any

"Any" generally appears in interrogative and negative sentences. It can also appear in affirmative sentences meaning "any whatsoever."

• In negative sentences, any means "none" (zero quantity).
  • She doesn't have any siblings. (zero)
• In interrogative sentences, it expresses "an indeterminate quantity."
  • Do you need any assistance? (some help, unknown quantity)
• In affirmative sentences with the idea of "whichever one," it is often found with "can" or "may" (You can select any color.).
  • You can choose any seat you prefer. (whichever one)

C. No

"No" expresses a complete absence with countable and uncountable nouns. It can replace not … any in negative constructions.

• We have no opportunity to change this. (We have no opportunity)
• There are no seats available. (There are no seats left)

D. None

"None" is used alone (it is a quantifying pronoun) or followed by of + noun phrase/pronoun to mean "not one," "zero."

• How many tickets remain?
  dash; None.

"None" can be followed by of + a pronoun (them, us, you)

• None of us knew the answer.

"None" can be followed by of + a determiner (the, my, those…)

• None of the participants arrived early.

3. Quantifiers for Large Quantities

A. A lot of / Lots of

"A lot of / Lots of" are used in a rather informal register to mean "a great deal of". They are used interchangeably with countable or uncountable nouns. "A lot of" and "Lots of" are practically equivalent, with "Lots of" being slightly more casual.

• She has a lot of responsibilities at work (countable).
• There is lots of coffee in the pot (uncountable).

B. Much

"Much" applies mainly to uncountable nouns to express a large quantity. It generally appears in negative and interrogative sentences rather than in affirmative sentences (where a lot of is preferred).

• We don't have much experience with this (negative).
• Does he have much patience? (interrogative)

In a formal register or with adverbs, much can be found in an affirmative sentence (Much attention was given to detail.).

• Much consideration was devoted to this matter (affirmative, formal style).

C. Many

"Many" is used with plural countable nouns to mean "a lot of." As with "much," "many" is found mostly in interrogative or negative sentences in common speech, or in more formal contexts with an affirmative sentence.

• They don't have many resources available.
• Are there many candidates for this position?
• Many experts support this theory (Formal).

D. Plenty of

"Plenty of" means "ample," "sufficient quantity and more," with countable or uncountable nouns. "Plenty of" conveys a positive connotation; it emphasizes that there is more than enough to meet the need.

• We have plenty of space for your luggage.
• There is plenty of time before the deadline.

4. Quantifiers for Small Quantities

A. Few / A few

• "Few" indicates a minimal quantity, almost inadequate, and is used with plural countable nouns.
• He has few opportunities in this field.(The speaker emphasizes that he has very few, which is insufficient)
• "A few," on the other hand, indicates a small quantity, but one that is satisfactory, correct, or appreciable.
  • He has a few opportunities in this field (the speaker has some, which is rather positive or sufficient)

B. Little / A little

• "Little" means "very little" for uncountable nouns. It carries an insufficient or negative connotation.
  • They have little patience left (almost no patience).
• "A little," on the other hand, means "a small amount of." It has a more positive and acceptable connotation.
  • They have a little patience left, so let's continue (a little patience, just enough).

C. Enough

"Enough" is used to express an adequate quantity, neither excessive nor insufficient. It can be used with countable and uncountable nouns. Its position can vary:

• Before a noun ightarrow Enough resources, enough volunteers
  • We have enough volunteers for the event (Countable).
  • There isn't enough information for a decision (Uncountable).
• After an adjective/adverb ightarrow Tall enough, quickly enough
  • He is not tall enough to reach the shelf (After an adjective).
  • She didn't work quickly enough to meet the deadline (After an adverb).
• With a verb
  • Did we prepare enough?

5. Quantifiers of Proportion or Totality

A. All

"All" means "every part of," "the entirety of the quantity." It can be placed before a noun, a pronoun, or after a verb (depending on the structure). The structure All (of) + determiner + noun (All the employees, All his savings) or All of them/us/you is frequently used.

• All the employees received a bonus.
• I require all the documents you possess.
• They invested all their savings.
• All of us participated in the workshop.

B. Most

"Most" means "the majority of," "the largest part of," and it is often used with of, or in structures like Most (of) the… or Most individuals… (without of if the noun is indefinite).

• Most individuals enjoy traveling (indefinite noun).
• Most of the participants at the conference agreed (definite noun extquotedblleft the participants extquotedblright).

C. Half

"Half" means "one half of." It can be used with or without of, and is often found in structures like extquotedblleft Half (of) + noun/determiner, extquotedblright or sometimes simply with an article extquotedblleft a half. extquotedblright

• Half the audience left early.
• Half of my colleagues work remotely.
• They consumed half a loaf of bread.

D. Whole

"Whole" allows us to refer to the entirety of an item or a set, often with a determiner (the, my, this…). It is used exclusively with singular countable nouns (the whole project, my whole career). Its position can vary:

• Between a determiner and a noun ightarrow The whole building, Her whole family
  • She completed the whole project in two weeks.
  • He dedicated his whole career to research.
• Sometimes as a pronoun with "of" ightarrow Whole of the organization (more formal usage).
  • The whole of the department supports this initiative.
• Is not used with uncountable nouns without a determiner (✗ Whole coffee, but v {The whole cup of coffee}).

What is the difference between extquotedblleft whole extquotedblright and extquotedblleft all extquotedblright?

• All is used with plural and uncountable nouns (All the documents, All the water).
  • She reviewed all the documents in the folder. (All the documents)
• Whole is used with singular nouns (The whole document).
  • She reviewed the whole document carefully. (An entire document)

6. Distributive Quantifiers: Each, Every, Either, Neither

A. Each

"Each" is used to refer to every element of a group, but individually. It is often followed by:

• Either a singular countable noun
  • Each employee receives training.
• Or of + determiner/pronoun.
  • Each of the candidates was interviewed (after each of, the verb is conjugated in the singular).
• Or a verb in the third person singular (because each + singular noun).
  • Each participant receives a certificate.

B. Every

"Every" is similar to "each," but "every" considers the group as a whole, emphasizing the idea of totality. It is used only with singular countable nouns.

• Every employee deserves respect.
• Every building in this area looks identical.

Difference between extquotedblleft every extquotedblright and extquotedblleft each extquotedblright:

• "every" encompasses the group without focusing on the individual.
• "each" emphasizes each distinct member.

C. Either

"Either" means "one or the other" (among two elements), and it is generally used with singular nouns (because it refers to 'one or the other'). It can be used in these two ways:

• Either + singular noun
  • You can select either route (one route or the other).
• Either of + determiner + noun/plural/pronoun (in this case the verb can be singular or plural, but singular is more traditional).
  • Either of these two proposals is acceptable (verb often singular).

D. Neither

"Neither" means "neither of the two," and it can be used in these two ways:

• Neither + singular noun
  • Neither solution is satisfactory.
• Neither of + determiner + noun
  • Neither of the candidates wants the position.

7. Quantifiers Meaning extquotedblleft Several, extquotedblright extquotedblleft Various extquotedblright

A. Several

"Several" means "several" (a quantity greater than two or three). It is used with plural countable nouns.

• She proposed several strategies to address the issue.
• They explored several cities during their trip.

B. Various

"Various" means "several and diverse." It is used in the form Various + plural noun (as it indicates the diversity of elements).

• He has various hobbies, including photography and cooking.
• We examined various approaches to solve this problem.

8. Numeral Quantifiers

One, two, three…: These are sometimes considered quantifiers because they specify quantity. They can sometimes be used in more elaborate expressions like dozens of, hundreds of, thousands of (to express large approximate quantities)

• She has four children.
• They need to purchase five new computers.

9. Comparison of Quantities: Fewer/Less, More

A. More

"More" is used to compare two quantities or express "a larger amount of." It can be used with countable or uncountable nouns.

• We require more participants for the study.
• She needs more flexibility in her schedule.

B. Fewer / Less

"Fewer" and "less" are used to say "less," but there is a distinction between the two:

• Fewer is used with countable nouns (plural).
• Less is used with uncountable nouns.

However, in spoken language, it is not uncommon to hear less instead of fewer with countable nouns, but this is considered less appropriate in a formal context.

• We received fewer applications this semester (plural countable).
• We have less flexibility than anticipated (uncountable).

10. Quantifiers Combined with Pronouns

Quantifiers are often found associated with personal or demonstrative pronouns, using the structure:

• Quantifier + of + pronoun
  • All of us / Most of us / Some of us / Both of us
  • Many of them / A few of them / Several of them
• Quantifier + of + determiner + noun
  • Each of the employees / Some of the employees / All of the employees

11. Other Quantifying Phrases and Expressions

A. A great deal of / A large amount of

"A great deal of" and "A large amount of" are used to express a considerable quantity with uncountable nouns, in a formal register.

• They invested a great deal of effort into this research.
• The company lost a large amount of revenue.

B. A (great) number of

"A great number of" is used to express "a significant number of" with countable nouns, in a rather formal register.

• A number of employees are on vacation today.
• A great number of visitors attended the exhibition (More intensive).

C. A couple of

"A couple of" means "a few," often interpreted as "two or three" (a small number).

• We remained there for a couple of weeks.
• I require a couple of assistants.

D. Dozens of / Hundreds of / Thousands of

"Dozens of," "hundreds of," and "thousands of" indicate an approximate large quantity.

• She answered dozens of phone calls this afternoon.
• He owns hundreds of vinyl records in his collection.
• They raised thousands of euros for the cause.

E. The majority of / The minority of

"The majority of" / "The minority of" are used in a formal register to mean "the majority of / the minority of."

• The majority of employees supported the new policy.
• The minority of shareholders opposed the merger.

12. Focus on Verb Agreement After Certain Quantifiers

• After "each" extendash; "every" extendash; "either" extendash; "neither," the verb is often singular.
  • Each manager has specific responsibilities.
  • Every morning brings new challenges.
  • Neither proposal is viable.
  • Either candidate is qualified.
• The quantifiers "all" extendash; "most" extendash; "some" extendash; "a lot of" extendash; "plenty of" extendash; "none" which are:
  • Followed by a plural countable noun ightarrow the verb is plural
    • All the employees are present
  • Followed by a singular uncountable noun ightarrow the verb is singular
    • Most of the equipment is outdated
  • Followed by a pronoun ightarrow if the pronoun refers to a plural, plural verb
    • All of them need to attend

13. Important Specifics and Nuances

1. Some vs Any in affirmative sentences
   • Some is used to mean "a certain quantity," "some."
   • Any in the sense of "whichever one."
2. Use of double negatives
   • In standard English, one avoids saying extquotedblleft I don't have no time extquotedblright. One will prefer:
     • I don't have any time.
     • I have no time.
3. None + verb
   • None can be followed by a singular or plural verb. The more traditional rule favors the singular, especially if none is considered to mean "not a single one." Nevertheless, modern usage also accepts the plural, particularly if none is considered to mean "none among several."
   • None of the documents has been reviewed yet (traditional usage).
   • None of the documents have been reviewed yet (accepted current usage).
4. Fewer vs Less
   • Fewer for countable (plural), less for uncountable.
   • In spoken language, many speakers confuse them. However, for formal texts, the rule should be respected.
5. Each / Every
   • Every is never used with of directly before a noun (unlike each of).
   • "Every of my colleagues" does not exist extendash; one says Every one of my colleagues or Each of my colleagues.
6. Most / Most of
   • Most individuals prefer">… (no determiner)
   • Most of the individuals I know">… (with a determiner)
7. Verb agreement with expressions like a lot of, plenty of… depends on the noun that follows:
   • A lot of documents are in the archive.
   • A lot of patience is required.

Conclusion

English quantifiers allow expression of the entire range of quantities, from total absence to abundance, including very precise nuances (very little, a little, some, the majority, etc.). They vary depending on whether the noun is countable or uncountable, the register (formal or informal), and the exact nuance one wishes to convey.

Reading comprehension questions in the TOEIC® often test the ability to select the appropriate quantifier in cloze sentences, where the distinction between few / a few, little / a little, or much / many proves crucial. In the Listening section, understanding the subtleties of quantifiers helps grasp important nuances in professional conversations, announcements, or emails.

Here is a summary table of all the quantifiers we have covered:

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