Quantifiers
4 lessons about quantifiers in English, explained in Spanish. Practice with exercises and download worksheets.
- A1Grammar 12 min
Some and any
Some in affirmative sentences, any in negatives and questions, and some to offer or ask for things (Can I have some water?). With exercises.
View lesson - A1Grammar 12 min
How much and how many
How many with plurals, how much with uncountable nouns and prices (How much is it?). How to build the question and how to answer it.
View lesson - A1Grammar 12 min
Much, many, a few, a little
When to use many or much, a few or a little, and why a lot of works with everything. Much in negatives and questions, with exercises.
View lesson - A1Grammar 12 min
Countable and uncountable
What you can count in English and what you cannot, the surprising ones (information, advice, news), and how to count them: a glass of water.
View lesson
What is Quantifiers?
Quantifiers express amount: some, any, many, much, a lot of, a few, a little, few, little. Which one to use depends on whether the noun is countable (books) or uncountable (water), and on whether the sentence is affirmative, negative or a question.
When to use it
With countable nouns: many, a few, few, several. With uncountable nouns: much, a little, little. With both: some, any, a lot of, plenty of. Some is used in affirmatives and offers; any in negatives and questions.
Common mistakes and tips for Spanish speakers
- A few and a little are positive ("I have some"); few and little are almost negative ("I hardly have any"). "I have a few friends" and "I have few friends" do not mean the same.
- Many and much are mostly used in negatives and questions; in affirmatives a lot of is preferred.
- Money, water, time and information are uncountable: "How much money?", not "How many money?".
Examples
I don't have much time.
No tengo mucho tiempo.
There are a few chairs left.
Quedan unas cuantas sillas.
Do you have any questions?
¿Tienes alguna pregunta?
She drinks a lot of water.
Ella toma mucha agua.