Quantifiers tell us about quantity or amount without being specific numbers. Different quantifiers go with countable, uncountable, or both.
Countable
many · a few · few · several · a number of
Uncountable
much · a little · little · a great deal of
Both
a lot of · lots of · some · any · enough · plenty of · most · all · no
a lot of / lots of
Large quantity — works with both countable and uncountable
Countable
There are a lot of people here.
Uncountable
She has a lot of experience.
lots of (informal)
Lots of people came. (spoken/informal)
a lot of vs much/many: Use "a lot of" in positive sentences. Use "much/many" mainly in negatives and questions: "I don't have much time." / "Do you have many friends?"
enough · plenty of · several
enough
the right amount — We have enough food. / She isn't old enough.
plenty of
more than enough — There is plenty of time. Don't rush.
several
more than two but not many (countable only) — I've been there several times.
enough goes BEFORE a noun but AFTER an adjective: enough time / old enough. This word order confuses many learners.
all, most, no
Complete, majority, zero
all
All students must attend. / I spent all my money.
most
Most people agree. / She ate most of her dinner.
no
There is no milk left. / No students failed.
none of
None of the students failed. (+ of + the/this/my...)
no + noun (direct) vs none of + the/my/these + noun: "no students" / "none of the students".
Common mistakes
I have many money.
→
I have a lot of money.
positive sentence → a lot of (not many — uncountable)
She is enough old to drive.
→
She is old enough to drive.
enough AFTER adjective
I have no any money.
→
I have no money. / I don't have any money.
use either "no" or "not any" — not both
Most of people agree.
→
Most people agree. (no "of" needed)
Most + noun directly (unless "most of the people")
Your turn
Answer out loud — full sentences
Use a lot of, enough, plenty of, most, all, no.
1
Is there enough to do in your town?
2
What do most people in your country do at the weekend?