4.9: Determiners

ESOL Intermediate Grammar · LibreTexts

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    Quantifiers

    A quantifier (/kwɒntɪfaɪə/) is a modifier that expresses quantity (i.e. how many or how much of something is being referred to).

    Examples include many, few, several etc. Many quantifiers are determiners. Some can only be used with count nouns e.g. “few,” "(not) many,” whereas others can only be used with non-count noun; “a little,” "(not) much.”

    Table of common examples:

    Type

    Non-count

    Count

    Large
    • much
    • a lot of
    • many
    • a lot of

    Small
    • not much
    • a little
    • not many
    • a few

    Undetermined
    • some
    • any
    • some
    • any

    Some and Any

    Some and any can be used with plural count nouns and noncount nouns. Use some with positive statements or yes or no questions that make an offer or request. Use any with negative statements and yes or no questions. Look at the numbered examples below.

    1. I have some errands to do after class. (positive statement)

    2. I do not have any problems with my computer. (negative statement)

    3. Does he have any information about the required paperwork? (yes or no question)

    4. Would you like some tea? (an offer)

    5. Can I have some sugar in my tea please? (a request)

    Exercise 3.1: Some and Any

    Circle some or any to complete the sentence.

    1. Could you bring some/ any more napkins?

    2. Do you have  some/ any questions?

    3. I would like  some/ any ice in my water.

    4. There aren’t  some/ any stores for a few miles.

    5. Could you move  some/ any books to the other class?

    6. I cannot carry  some/ any items because my hands are full.

    7. Gerry ate  some/ any food before leaving to school.

    8. Rosa didn’t eat  some/ any food, so she might be hungry later.

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    This page titled 4.9: Determiners was last modified on Sun, 17 Aug 2025 18:58:03 GMT and is shared under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Allyson Marceau.