Quantifiers: some, any, few, many, much, several (2025)

1. What kind of noun does “many” go with?

Which sentence uses “many” correctly?
a) There were many water in the glass.
b) There were many people at the party.
c) There were many sugar on the table.

b) There were many people at the party.

• “Many” is used with countable nouns (people, books, chairs, etc.).
• “Water” and “sugar” are uncountable, so they need “much,” not “many.”

Examples:
✅ Many students joined the event.
✅ Many questions were asked.
❌ Many milk was spilled.

2. When do we use “much”?

Which sentence uses “much” correctly?
a) How much apples do you want?
b) There isn’t much time left.
c) We have much chairs in the room.

b) There isn’t much time left.

• “Much” is used with uncountable nouns like time, money, water, sugar.
• Don’t use it with plural countable nouns like apples or chairs.

Examples:
✅ I don’t have much homework tonight.
✅ There isn’t much rice left.
❌ How much apples…

3. What is the difference between “few” and “a few”?

Which sentence shows a positive meaning?
a) Few students passed the exam.
b) A few students passed the exam.
c) Few of a students passed the exam.

b) A few students passed the exam.

• “Few” means almost none — it has a negative feeling.
• “A few” means some, but not many — it’s positive.

Examples:
✅ A few people stayed to help. (positive)
✅ Few people understand this concept. (negative)
❌ Few of a students…

4. When do we use “some” vs. “any”?

Which sentence correctly uses “some”?
a) I don’t have some milk.
b) Do you have some pens?
c) I have some fruit for you.

c) I have some fruit for you.

• “Some” is used in positive sentences and offers/requests.
• “Any” is usually used in negative sentences and questions.

Examples:
✅ There is some juice in the fridge.
✅ Can I have some paper?
❌ I don’t have some milk.

5. Can “several” be used with uncountable nouns?

Which sentence uses “several” correctly?
a) I drank several milkshakes.
b) I have several homework to finish.
c) She found several coins on the street.

c) She found several coins on the street.

• “Several” is used with countable nouns and means more than two but not many.
• It cannot be used with uncountable nouns like milk or homework.

Examples:
✅ He answered several questions.
✅ We bought several jackets.
❌ Several water…

6. Can we use “any” in positive sentences?

Which sentence uses “any” correctly in a positive sentence?
a) You can take any book from the shelf.
b) Any people didn’t show up.
c) I have any idea.

a) You can take any book from the shelf.

• “Any” is usually used in negatives and questions, but it can be used in positive sentences when we mean “it doesn’t matter which”.

Examples:
✅ Any student can apply.
✅ You can ask any question.
❌ I have any idea…

7. What does “a few” imply about quantity?

Complete the sentence:
I invited ___ friends to the party.
a) few
b) a few
c) much

b) a few

• “A few” means some, but not many — it’s positive and used with countable nouns.
• “Few” would suggest almost none. “Much” is incorrect because friends is countable.

Examples:
✅ She had a few ideas.
✅ We saw a few birds at the park.
❌ Much friends…

8. Which quantifier works best for negative uncountable amounts?

Which sentence is correct?
a) I don’t have many sugar.
b) I don’t have much sugar.
c) I don’t have several sugar.

b) I don’t have much sugar.

• “Much” is used with uncountable nouns, especially in negative contexts.
• “Many” is used for countables, and “several” doesn’t go with uncountables.

Examples:
✅ There isn’t much traffic today.
✅ We don’t have much information.
❌ Many sugar…

9. Which quantifier is best for positive countable sentences?

Choose the best sentence:
a) I saw much dogs at the park.
b) I saw many dogs at the park.
c) I saw some sugar at the park.

b) I saw many dogs at the park.

• “Many” is perfect for positive sentences with countable nouns like dogs.
• “Much” would be wrong with dogs, and “some sugar” is unrelated.

Examples:
✅ Many kids were playing outside.
✅ Many stars are visible tonight.
❌ Much dogs…

10. How do you know whether to use “much” or “many”?

Which sentence uses both correctly?
a) How many money do you have?
b) How much books did you buy?
c) How many books and how much time do you need?

c) How many books and how much time do you need?

• Use “many” with countable nouns (books)
• Use “much” with uncountable nouns (time, money, water)

Examples:
✅ How many chairs and how much space is available?
✅ How many questions and how much time are left?
❌ How much books…