Quantifiers are words used before nouns to express the amount of something – in fairly general terms. Here are some common quantifiers and how to use them.
1. too much, too many, too
(meaning = “more than is good”)
- too much + non-count noun
Example: I drink too much coffee. - too many + count noun
Example: I ate too many cookies today. - verb + too much
Example: She talks too much. - too + adjective
Example: I’m too sick to go to school.
2. enough
(meaning = “the amount that is necessary or needed”)
- enough + noun
Example: I did not drink enough water today. I’m so thirsty! - verb* + enough
Example: She didn’t sleep enough this week.
*verbs without objects - adjective / adverb + enough
Example: I thought the shirt would be too small, but it is big enough.
Example: He didn’t drive quickly enough, so he missed the game.
3. much and many
- much = non-count nouns (milk, time, money, information, coffee, etc.)
Example: We don’t have much coffee. Let’s buy more tomorrow.
Example: How much money do you have?* - many = countable nouns (dollars, minutes, tables, etc.)
Example: There are many tables at this cafe. It will be easy to find a seat.
Example: How many hours before her flight arrives?
4. a little and a few
- a little = non-count nouns
Example: I have a little money. (meaning = I have some money, but not a lot.) - a few = count nouns
Example: I have a few dresses. (meaning = I have some dresses.)
*”Little” or “few”, without “a” means a very, very small amount, or not many.
Example: I have little money = I have almost no money.
Example: I have few dresses = I do not have many dresses.
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