Course on Quantifiers - TOEIC® Preparation

Quantifiers are words or expressions used to indicate a quantity (large, small, indefinite, precise, etc.) before a noun. They are essential in English as they help specify information or avoid repetition. This course aims to be comprehensive: we will review all the major quantifiers, their specificities, and their exceptions.

1. Preliminary notions: countable and uncountable nouns

Before diving into the details of quantifiers, it's crucial to recall the difference between:

• Countable nouns: can be counted as distinct units (e.g., book, apple, table).
  • I have two books.
• Uncountable nouns: cannot be counted one by one (e.g., water, information, advice).
  • I need some water.

Some quantifiers are used only with countable nouns, others only with uncountable nouns, and some can be used with both.

For more information, you can read our course on countable and uncountable nouns.

2. Basic quantifiers

A. Some

« Some » is generally used in affirmative sentences with plural countable nouns or uncountable nouns to indicate an indeterminate but non-zero quantity.

• I have some friends in London.
• We bought some fruits at the market.

« Some » can be used in questions when offering something or expecting a positive response.

• Would you like some coffee?

B. Any

• In negative sentences, any implies « none » (zero quantity)
  • I don't have any money.
• In interrogative sentences, it indicates « any quantity »
  • Do you have any questions?
• In affirmative sentences, it is often combined with « can » or « could »
  • You can pick any movie you like.

C. No

« No » expresses a total absence with countable and uncountable nouns. It can replace not … any in negative sentences.

• I have no time to waste.
• There are no cookies left.

D. None

« None » is used alone (it's a quantifier pronoun) or followed by of + noun group/pronoun to mean « not a single one ».

• How many cookies are left? – None.

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

• None of them wanted to come.

« None » can be followed by of + a definite article (the, my, these…)

• None of the students passed the test.

3. Quantifiers of large quantity

A. A lot of / Lots of

« A lot of / Lots of » are used in a informal register. They are used with both countable and uncountable nouns. « A lot of » and « Lots of » are almost interchangeable, with « Lots of » being slightly more informal.

• I have a lot of books to read.
• There is lots of water in the fridge.

B. Much

« Much » is mainly used with uncountable nouns to express a large quantity. It is generally used in negative and interrogative sentences rather than in affirmative sentences (where a lot of is preferred).

• I don't have much time.
• Do we have much information about this issue?

In a formal register or with the use of adverbs, much can be found in affirmative sentences (Much progress has been made.).

• Much effort was required to complete the project.

C. Many

« Many » is used with plural countable nouns to mean « a lot of ». Like « much », « many » appears more in interrogative or negative sentences in everyday language, or in more formal contexts with an affirmative sentence.

• I don't have many friends here.
• Are there many options available?
• Many people believe this to be true.

D. Plenty of

« Plenty of » means « more than enough », « in abundance », with countable or uncountable nouns. « Plenty of » has a really positive connotation, emphasizing that there is more than enough.

• We have plenty of chairs for everyone.
• There is plenty of food left for dinner.

4. Quantifiers of small quantity

A. Few / A few

• « few » indicates a very small quantity, almost insufficient, and is used with plural countable nouns.

• I have few friends in this town.

• « a few », on the other hand, indicates a small quantity, but sufficient, acceptable, or appreciable.

  • I have a few friends in this town.

B. Little / A little

• « little » has an insufficient or negative connotation.
  • We have little time left.
• « a little » has a more positive and sufficient connotation.
  • We have a little time left, so we can talk.

C. Enough

« enough » allows expressing a sufficient quantity, neither too much nor too little. It can be used with countable and uncountable nouns. Its position can vary:

• Before a noun → Enough money, enough chairs
  • We have enough chairs for everyone.
  • There isn't enough food for all the guests.
• After an adjective/adverb → Strong enough, fast enough
  • She is not strong enough to lift the box.
  • You didn't run fast enough to win the race.
• With a verb
  • Do we have enough?

5. Quantifiers of proportion or total

A. All

« All » means « the entire 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 students, All my money) or All of them/us/you is commonly used.

• All the students passed the exam.
• I need all the information you have.
• We spent all our money.
• All of them agreed with the proposal.

B. Most

« Most » means « the majority of » and is often used with of, or in structures like Most (of) the… or Most people… (without of if the noun is indefinite).

• Most people like chocolate.
• Most of the people at the meeting disagreed.

C. Half

« Half » can be used with or without of, and is often found in structures like "Half (of) + noun/determiner" or sometimes just with an article "a half".

• Half the cake was gone.
• Half of my friends couldn't attend the party.
• They drank half a bottle of wine.

D. Whole

« Whole » is used to talk about the entirety of an object or concept, often with a determiner (the, my, this…). It is used only with singular countable nouns (the whole book, my whole life). Its position can vary:

• Between a determiner and a noun → The whole city, My whole career
  • I read the whole book in one day.
  • She spent her whole life in New York.
• Sometimes as a pronoun with "of" → Whole of the country (more formal usage).
  • The whole of the team supports this decision.
• Not used with uncountable nouns without a determiner (✗ Whole water, but ✓ The whole glass of water).

Difference between « whole » and « all »?

• All is used with plural nouns and uncountable nouns (All the books, All the information).
  • I read all the books in the series.
• Whole is used with singular nouns (The whole book).
  • I read the whole book yesterday.

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

A. Each

« Each » is used to talk about all the elements of a set, but one by one. It is often followed by:

• Either a singular countable noun
  • Each student has a unique ID.
• Or of + determiner/pronoun.
  • Each of my friends is invited.
• Or a verb in the third person singular (because each + singular noun).
  • Each student receives a personal laptop.

B. Every

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

• Every child needs love.
• Every house on this street looks the same.

Difference between « every » and « each »

• « every » encompasses the whole without focusing on the individual.
• « each » emphasizes each distinct element.

C. Either

« Either » is generally used with singular nouns (because it's « one or the other element »). It can be used in these two ways:

• Either + singular noun
  • You can choose either option.
• 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 dresses is fine.

D. Neither

« Neither » can be used in these two ways:

• Neither + singular noun
  • Neither option is acceptable.
• Neither of + determiner + noun
  • Neither of them wants to go.

7. Quantifiers « several », « various »

A. Several

« Several » means « several » (a quantity of more than two or three). It is used with plural countable nouns.

• I have several ideas to improve the project.
• They visited several countries last year.

B. Various

« Various » means « several and different ». It is used in the form Various + plural noun (as it indicates the diversity of the quantity).

• She has various interests, including music and painting.
• We considered various solutions to the problem.

8. Numerical quantifiers

One, two, three…: They are sometimes considered quantifiers as they indicate quantity. They can sometimes be used in more elaborate structures like dozens of, hundreds of, thousands of (to express large quantities)

• I have three siblings.
• He wants to buy two new chairs.

9. Comparison of quantities: fewer/less, more

A. More

« More » is used to compare two quantities or express « more of ». It can be used with countable or uncountable nouns.

• We need more chairs for the conference.
• I need more time to finish.

B. Fewer / Less

« Fewer » and « less » are used to say « less of », but there is a nuance 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 it is considered less correct in a formal context.

• We have fewer students this year.
• We have less money than expected.

10. Quantifiers combined with pronouns

Quantifiers are often combined with personal or demonstrative pronouns, with the structure:

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

11. Other quantifying expressions

A. A great deal of / A large amount of

« A great deal of » and « A large amount of » express a large quantity with uncountable nouns, in a formal register.

• We spent a great deal of time on this project.
• They wasted a large amount of money.

B. A (great) number of

« A great number of » is used to express « a large number of » with countable nouns, in a rather formal register.

• A number of students are absent today.
• A great number of people attended the concert.

C. A couple of

« A couple of » means « a few », often understood as « two or three » (a small number).

• We stayed there for a couple of days.
• I need a couple of volunteers.

D. Dozens of / Hundreds of / Thousands of

« Dozens of », « hundreds of » and « thousands of » indicate a large approximate quantity.

• He received dozens of emails this morning.
• She has hundreds of books in her library.
• They donated thousands of dollars to charity.

E. The majority of / The minority of

« The majority of » / « The minority of » are used in a formal register to say « the majority of / the minority of ».

• The majority of citizens voted for him.
• The minority of members disagreed.

12. Focus on verb form after certain quantifiers

• After « each » - « every » - « either » - « neither », the verb is often singular.
  • Each student has a book.
  • Every day brings new opportunities.
  • Neither answer is correct.
  • Either option is acceptable.
• Quantifiers « all » - « most » - « some » - « a lot of » - « plenty of » - « none » that are:
  • Followed by a plural countable noun → the verb is plural
    • All the students are here
  • Followed by a singular uncountable noun → the verb is singular
    • Most of the water is contaminated
  • Followed by a pronoun → if the pronoun refers to a plural, plural verb
    • All of them want to come

13. Important particularities and nuances

1. Some vs Any in affirmative sentences
   • Some is used in the sense of « a certain quantity », « a few ».
   • Any in the sense of « any ».
2. Use of Double Negation
   • In standard English, avoid saying I don't have no money. Prefer:
     • I don't have any money.
     • I have no money.
3. None + verb
   • None can be followed by a singular or plural verb. The more traditional rule prefers the singular, especially if none is considered to mean « not a single one ». However, common usage also accepts the plural, especially if none is considered as « not several ».
   • None of the students has arrived yet.
   • None of the students have arrived yet.
4. Fewer vs Less
   • Fewer for countable (plural), less for uncountable.
   • In spoken language, many speakers confuse them. However, for formal texts, it is better to follow the rule.
5. Each / Every
   • Every is never used with of before a noun (unlike each of).
   • “Every of my friends” does not exist → say Every one of my friends or Each of my friends.
6. Most / Most of
   • Most people believe…
   • Most of the people I know…
7. Verb agreement with expressions like a lot of, plenty of… depends on the noun that follows:
   • A lot of books are on the shelf.
   • A lot of sugar is needed.

Conclusion

Quantifiers in English allow expressing the entire range of quantities, from total absence to abundance, including very fine nuances (almost none, a little, a few, the majority, etc.). They vary depending on whether the noun is countable or uncountable, depending on the register (formal or informal), and depending on the exact nuance one wishes to convey.

Reading comprehension questions in the TOEIC® often test the ability to choose the appropriate quantifier in gap-fill sentences, where the distinction between few / a few, little / a little, or even much / many is 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 seen:

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