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Quantifiers state precisely or suggest generally the amount or number of something. English has many expressions to quantify nouns and pronouns. These are comprised of phrases or single words that come before the noun or pronoun.
Certain quantifiers are used with singular count nouns; others are used with plural count nouns; others are used with non-count nouns; and still others are used with count and non-count nouns.
1. Each, either, every, and neither are used with singular count nouns.
Each problem is unique.
Neither solution is acceptable.
2. Both (of), a bunch (of), certain (of), a couple (of), either of, neither of, a few (of), few (of), fewer (of), a great many (of), many (of), a number of, and several (of) are used with plural count nouns.
Either of the plans may succeed.
There have been many technological advances.
3. A bit of, a great deal of, less, a little (of), little (of), and much (of) are used with non-count nouns.
We had a bit of luck on our trip.
4. All (of), any (of), enough (of), half of, a lot of, lots of, most of, no, none of, and some (of), and (ten) percent (of) are used with non-count nouns and plural count nouns.
All (of) my friends came to the party.
We ate all (of) the food.
Most of my problems have disappeared.
We spent most of our money the first day.
Note that many quantifiers appear in phrases with the preposition of. The of is used when the speaker or writer is specifying particular persons, places, things, or groups.
All of the students passed the exam.
However, none of them answered question 5 correctly. (The speaker has a particular group of students in mind.)
When speakers or writers make general statements, having no particular persons, places, or things in mind, they use quantifiers without of.
Most students like to learn new things.
Few students like exams. (The speaker has no particular group of students in mind.)
In spoken affirmative sentences, native speakers usually prefer a lot of to much and many, which sound more formal. However, much and many are often used in negative sentences and in questions.
A: Does he have many friends?
B: He doesn't have many friends here, but he has a lot of friends back in San Antonio.
Note the characteristics of some and any. Use some with plural count nouns and non-count nouns in affirmative statements.
Melina has made some interesting observations.
Use any with plural count nouns and non-count nouns in negative statements.
We don't want to change any of the procedures.
There are people who avoid taking any responsibility for themselves. (The verb avoid makes the sentence negative.)
Both forms appear in questions.
Do you need some help?
Does Frank have any debts?
Note that when any is used in affirmative statements, it doesn't quantify. It refers to an unspecified person, place, or thing.
Any native-born citizen can become president.
Be careful! Do not confuse any more with anymore or any one with anyone.
Do you want any more soda? (e.g., another glass)
I don't drink soda anymore. (any longer)
Any one of the candidates would make a good president. (any particular one of them)
I don't see anyone I know. (There's no person here whom I know.)
Note the difference between less and fewer and between amount and number. Less and amount are used with non-count nouns, while fewer and number are used with count nouns.
We have less money than we used to, but we also have fewer problems.
The amount of effort put into law enforcement has grown. In spite of this, the number of violent crimes has continued to increase.
Usage note: Some native speakers do not make a distinction between less/fewer and amount/number and use the forms less and amount to refer to both count and non-count nouns. You will hear statements such as
I have less problems than before.
OR
An incredible amount of people came to the party.
Many native speakers do not accept these usages, however, and they are not appropriate for writing or careful speech.
Note the difference between a few and few, a little and little.
Jennifer has little patience. (Jennifer doesn't have much patience.)
Stanley has a little money. (Stanley has some money:not a great deal of money, but enough to put to some use.)
Few environmental problems have been solved. (Not many have been solved.)
I've paid off a few of my bills and plan to pay off a few more next month. (I've made progress in paying off my bills.)
Be careful! The quantifiers some of, any of, most of, half of, (10) percent of, and none of can be followed by a singular or a plural verb, depending on the noun before the verb.
Some of the milk has spoiled. (non-count noun)
Some of my friends are actors. (count noun)
None of the money was counterfeit. (non-count noun)
None of the sisters is going to inherit the money.
Usage note: The form none of is increasingly felt by many native speakers to be plural in meaning. The last sentence above would normally be said in conversation as
None of the sisters are going to inherit the money.
However, some native speakers do not accept this usage and insist on a singular verb after none.
Usage note: The forms either of and neither of are considered singular in formal English. However, many native speakers use a plural verb after either or neither, especially in conversation. Not all native speakers accept this plural use.
FORMAL:
Neither of the boys has arrived.
Either of the solutions is acceptable.
CONVERSATIONAL:
Neither of the boys have arrived.
Either of the solutions are acceptable.
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