FAQs

What are “numbers and amounts” as determiners?

Numbers and amounts as determiners are words placed before a noun to indicate how many or how much. They include exact numerals like one, two, three and quantifiers like many, much, few, little, several, some, any, a lot of. As determiners, they come before the noun (and before any adjectives), helping to specify reference and quantity: three large apples, much colder water, several important points.

How do I choose between “many” and “much”?

Use many with countable nouns (items you can count individually) and much with uncountable nouns (substances, concepts, or mass nouns). For example: many books, many ideas but much water, much time. In affirmative statements, native speakers often prefer a lot of for both types: a lot of people (countable), a lot of money (uncountable). In negatives and questions, much is common: We don’t have much time; Do you have much experience?

What is the difference between “few” and “a few,” “little” and “a little”?

Few and little emphasize insufficiency; a few and a little emphasize a small but sufficient amount. Use the pair with the right noun type: few / a few with countable nouns (few chairs, a few chairs), and little / a little with uncountable nouns (little sugar, a little sugar). Compare: We have few options (almost none, problematic) vs. We have a few options (some options, probably enough).

Can numbers like “hundred” or “thousand” be pluralized?

They are pluralized only when used as nouns without a following number or specific countable noun: hundreds of people, thousands. When a precise numeral precedes them, do not add s and do not use of unless followed by another determiner: two hundred tickets, three thousand pesos. If you add of, include a determiner: two hundred of the tickets, three thousand of my followers.

When do I use “of” after a quantifier?

Use of when the quantifier references a specific subset introduced by another determiner or pronoun: many of the students, some of my friends, a few of those apples, none of them. If you refer to a general, non-specified group, omit of: many students, some friends, a few apples.

What verb agreement should I use with “none,” “a number of,” and “the number of”?

None can take singular or plural agreement, but plural is common with plural nouns: None of the students were/was late (both acceptable, were more frequent). A number of + plural noun takes a plural verb: A number of issues remain. The number of + plural noun takes a singular verb because the subject is the singular noun number: The number of issues remains high.

How do comparisons of quantity work: “more,” “fewer,” and “less”?

Use more with both countable and uncountable nouns: more books, more information. Use fewer with plural countable nouns: fewer mistakes. Use less with uncountable nouns: less traffic. In informal usage, less sometimes appears with countable nouns, especially with measures like time, money, and distance: less than 10 minutes, less than 20 dollars.

Are “some” and “any” interchangeable?

Both indicate an unspecified quantity, but their distributions differ. Some is preferred in affirmative statements and offers: We have some cookies; Would you like some tea? Any commonly appears in negatives and questions: We don’t have any milk; Do you have any questions? With a meaning of “it doesn’t matter which/which ones,” any can appear in affirmatives: Any student can apply.

How do “each” and “every” differ?

Both refer to members of a group individually and take singular nouns and verbs: Each student is, Every book has. Each emphasizes individuality and can be used with plural objects when followed by of: Each of the students. Every emphasizes totality or uniformity within a group and is not used with of directly before a plural noun (use every one of instead: every one of the students).

What about informal quantifiers like “loads of,” “tons of,” and “a bunch of”?

These are common in speech and casual writing to indicate large quantities: loads of time, tons of options, a bunch of grapes. They work with both countable and uncountable nouns. However, they are stylistically informal. In academic or professional contexts, prefer neutral or formal equivalents: plenty of, a great deal of, many/much, a large number/amount of.

Can I use fractions and percentages as determiners?

Yes. Fractions and percentages can precede nouns, often with of: half (of) the class, a quarter of the participants, 20% of the revenue. Agreement depends on the following noun: Half of the cake was eaten (uncountable, singular verb); Half of the cookies were eaten (countable plural, plural verb).

Why is “fewer” preferred over “less” with countable nouns?

Traditional grammar distinguishes countable vs. uncountable: fewer modifies countable plural nouns (fewer errors), while less modifies uncountable nouns (less noise). This contrast clarifies whether we are counting discrete items or measuring a mass or amount. As noted, idiomatic exceptions occur with measurements (less than 100 kilometers), which behave like amounts rather than counts.

How do I avoid common errors with countable vs. uncountable nouns?

First, classify the noun. Use many/few/several with countable nouns (many people, a few emails). Use much/little with uncountable nouns (much information, little furniture). Replace inappropriate pairings: not much people but many people; not a few money but a little money. When unsure, try a lot of, which works with both types.

Where do determiners go relative to adjectives and nouns?

Determiners generally appear first, followed by quantity or numeral, then any adjectives, then the noun: those two beautiful old houses. A common order is: determiner → number/amount → opinion → size → age → shape → color → origin → material → purpose → noun. For example: the three attractive small new round red Italian leather dining chairs (exaggerated to illustrate order).

Do negative forms change the choice of quantifier?

Yes. In negative statements, much and many become slightly more common, especially much with uncountable nouns: We don’t have much time. The word any is also frequent in negatives and questions: She doesn’t have any cash. With countables, many is fine in negatives: They didn’t make many mistakes. For a more neutral tone in affirmatives, choose a lot of.

What special rules apply to “pair,” “couple,” and collective quantities?

A pair of is followed by a plural noun but often takes a singular verb when the pair is seen as one item: A pair of scissors is on the desk (usage varies by dialect; plural agreement is also common). A couple of means “two or a small number” and usually takes a plural noun and verb: A couple of issues remain. Be cautious with meaning: in careful writing, a couple ≈ two, while in speech it may mean “a few.”

How can I make my writing more formal when expressing quantity?

Prefer precise numerals and neutral quantifiers. Replace colloquialisms like tons of with a large number of (countable) or a large amount of (uncountable). Use constructions like the majority of, a minority of, the proportion of, and percentage phrases: Thirty percent of respondents reported… Maintain correct agreement with the head noun: The majority of participants were (participants = plural).

What quick checks ensure correct usage of quantity determiners?

Follow this checklist: (1) Decide if the noun is countable or uncountable. (2) Choose the matching quantifier (many/few vs. much/little). (3) For specificity, add of if followed by a determiner or pronoun (many of the, some of my). (4) Ensure subject–verb agreement with structures like the number of (singular) vs. a number of (plural). (5) In formal contexts, avoid highly informal quantifiers and prefer precise numbers or neutral phrases.

English Grammar Guide: Complete Rules, Examples, and Tips for All Levels