1 Quantifiers are used to describe the number or amount of something. Certain quantifiers are used with certain kinds of nouns.
a couple of a little any
a few little enough
few much some
many a great deal of a lot of
2 Countable Nouns and Uncontable
The nouns on the left side are examples of countable nouns. They can follow "a" or "an" in the singular. Adding "s" or "es" makes them plural. The nouns on the right side are examples of uncountable nouns. They cannot follow "a" or "an" and cannot be made plural.
Countable Uncountable
idea message inforamtion news
project coumputer advice support
report car money love
3 Quantifiers with Countable Nouns
a couple of usually means two
a few is approximately 2 - 4, it implies a small number
few without "a" is almost none, it implies a smaller number than expected
several is more than a few
many is a large number
These quantifiers describe the number of a countable noun. "A couple of" usually means two. "A few" is approximately 2 - 4. It implies a small number. "Few" without "a" is almost none. It implies a smaller number than expected. "Several" is more than a few. "Few" and "several" are usually not used in questions. "Many" is a large number.
4 Quantifiers with Uncountable Nouns
a little is a small amount
little without "a" is almost none, it implies less than expected
much is a large amount, and is usually used in questions ("how much") and negative statements ("not much")
a great deal of is a large amount
These quantifiers describe the amount of an uncountable noun. "A little" is a small amount. "Little" without "a" is almost none. It implies less than expected. "Little" isn't used in questions. "Much" is a large amount, and is usually used in questions ("how much") and negative statements ("not much"). "A great deal of" is a large amount.
5 Quantifiers with countable or uncountable Nouns
① any
Do you have any computers(furniture) in the conference room?
② enough
Do we have enough chairs(money) for lunch?
③ some
He has some ideas(information) about the new product.
④ a lot of
We've received a lot of messages(support) from the CEO.
These quantifiers can be used with either countable or uncountable nouns. "Any" is usually used only in questions or in negative statements. It means even the smallest number or amount. "Enough" is as many or as much as necessary. "Some" is an indefinite number or amount. "A lot of" is a large number or amount.
6 The quantifiers for question and neagtive statements.
I don't have any(some used here is wrong) money.
I won't make make a lot of or many(if several used here is wrong) changes.
7 Quantifiers that can't be used in Negative statement
a couple of several a little
a few some little
few
8 All of the expressions of quantity can be used without a noun if the meaning is clear. Note that in this case, "of" is not used after "a lot."
Do you have enough?
I have a lot.
Do you want some?
I don't want any.