Page 25 - Grasp English B1+ (Grammar Book)

Senses and Emotions 4

Quantifiers

We use quantifiers to give information about the number/amount of something. They can be used
with countable, uncountable, singular or plural nouns. See the following table and examples:

(c) Both countable and
(a) Only countable nouns (b) Only uncountable nouns
uncountable nouns
all, any, enough, a lot of, lots of,
a couple of, both, each, either, a bit of, (a) little, (not) much, more, most, no, none of, plenty of,
(a) few, fewer, neither, several less, a great deal of
some
a.
I’ve found several old books in the attic.
(‘several’ means more than two but not many)
Few students took the final exam in science class. We have to repeat it tomorrow.
(‘a few’ means ‘some/not many’ but enough; ‘few’ means ‘almost zero’ - not enough)
b.
Diane has little money with her, so I’ll lend her some.
(‘a little’ means ‘some/not much’ but enough; ‘little’ means ‘almost no’ - not enough)
We have a great deal of time, don’t worry.
(we can use ‘a great deal of’ especially with abstract nouns such as time, money, trouble, etc.)
c.
None of the employers attended the seminars.
There is no beverage left. Will you go and buy some?

Every and each are used with a singular noun and also a singular verb form to mean all:
Each person has to bring his own food. (= All the people have to bring their own food)
The police searched every person on the bus. (= The police searched all the people on the bus)

When we talk about two people or things, we use the quantifiers both, either and neither; if we talk
about more than two people or things, we use all.

Affirmative sentences
The clock is working. (one clock)
Both/both of the clocks are working. (two clocks)
All/all of the clocks are working. (more than two clocks)

Negative sentences
The clock isn’t working. (one clock)
Neither/neither of the clocks is working/Either of the clocks isn’t working. (two clocks)
None of the clocks are working. (more than two clocks)

Note 1: Nouns with either and neither are followed a singular verb.

Note 2: None has a negative meaning like no and never. Therefore, it is used in affirmative sentences
and gives them negative meaning.

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