Grammar basics
Quantity adjectives
A quantity adjective (also called a quantitative adjective) tells you how many or how much: many, much, some, a few. Numbers like five are also quantity adjectives.
Countable or uncountable?
Some quantity words work only with countable nouns. Others work only with uncountable nouns.
| Word | Countable (books) | Uncountable (water) |
|---|---|---|
| many | ✓ many books | ✗ |
| much | ✗ | ✓ much water |
| a few | ✓ a few books | ✗ |
| a little | ✗ | ✓ a little water |
| some | ✓ some books | ✓ some water |
| a lot of | ✓ a lot of books | ✓ a lot of water |
| five | ✓ five books | ✗ |
Ask How many books? but How much water?
A few or few?
A few is positive: I have a few friends (some friends, that's nice). Few without a is negative: I have few friends (not many, that's sad). The same is true for a little and little.
Many
A large number of things. Use it with countable nouns.
I have many friends in Bangkok.
Much
A large amount. Use it with uncountable nouns, often in questions and negatives.
I don't have much free time this week.
Some
A number or an amount, but not exact.
Can I have some water, please?
A few
A small number. Use it with countable nouns.
I learned a few new words today.
A little
A small amount. Use it with uncountable nouns.
I speak a little Japanese.
Several
More than two, but not many.
I fixed several bugs this morning.