- LPU MCA Semester 1
- PEL546
- Unit 4
PEL546 · Unit 4: Determiners
Quantifiers
12 practice questions · in the ETE syllabus
Key points
- many with countable, much with uncountable nouns
- few/little are negative; a few/a little are positive
- some in positives and offers; any in negatives and questions
- each and every take singular nouns and verbs
Quantifiers say how much or how many. The choice depends on whether the noun is countable (books, students, people) or uncountable (water, money, time, sugar).
| Meaning | Countable (plural) | Uncountable |
|---|---|---|
| A large number or amount | many | much |
| Hardly any (negative sense) | few | little |
| Some (positive sense) | a few | a little |
| More than in comparison | fewer | less |
| Any size | a lot of, plenty of, some, any | a lot of, plenty of, some, any |
Some is normally used in positive sentences and in offers or requests (Would you like some tea?). Any is used in negatives and questions (I do not have any money). Enough comes before the noun (enough time). Each and every take a singular noun and a singular verb (Each student has...). None of and neither of are followed by the, my or a pronoun and a plural noun (neither of the answers is right). A lot of always includes of, and in formal English fewer is used with countable nouns and less with uncountable ones.
Exam trap: few and little are negative (hardly any), while a few and a little are positive (some).
Try two questions
Which sentence is correct?
- A lot people attended the meeting.
- A lot of people attended the meeting.
- A lot of peoples attended the meeting.
- Lot of people attended the meeting.
Show the answer
B. A lot of is used with both countable and uncountable nouns.
Why not A: A lot must be followed by of before a noun.
Why not C: People is already plural and takes no s.
Why not D: The phrase needs the article a before lot.
Choose the correct word: Would you like ___ tea? (an offer)
- much
- no
- some
- none
Show the answer
C. Some is used in offers and requests, even in questions.
Why not A: Much is used mainly in negatives and in questions about amount, not in an offer.
Why not B: No cannot be used before a noun in a question about wanting something.
Why not D: None cannot stand before a noun.