Quantifiers (much, many, few, little, etc.)

First check the noun: countable or uncountable? Then pick the quantifier.

Quantifiers

සිංහලෙන්

• Would you like some tea and a few biscuits?
• I always put a little cheese in my soup.
• She has a lot of clothes.
• I don't have any fruit.

some or any?

• some → positive sentences: I bought some rice.
• any → negatives and most questions: I didn't buy any rice. Do you have any rice?
• some in questions when you offer or ask for something: Would you like some tea? Can I have some water?

some / any

සිංහලෙන්

• There's some butter in the fridge.
• Do they have any children?
• I don't need any help.
• Would you like some cake?offer

much, many or a lot of?

• many + countable, much + uncountable.
• In positive sentences, we usually say a lot of (or lots of) for both. Much in a positive sentence sounds very formal.
• much and many are normal in questions, negatives, and after too, so, how.

much / many / a lot of

සිංහලෙන්

• How many people came to the concert?
• There isn't much sugar in this tea.
• There were a lot of people at the Perahera.
• I have a lot of work today.
• There are too many people here!

a few or few? a little or little?

The little word a changes the feeling completely:

Same amount, different feeling

සිංහලෙන්

• I have a few friends in Colombo.🙂
• Few people visited him in hospital.🙁
• I have a little money. I can lend you some.🙂
• I have little time for TV these days.🙁

In everyday speech, people usually say not many / not much instead of few / little: Not many people came.

Quick check

Tap an answer. Nothing is saved.

1. We don't have bread left.

   someany

2. Would you like kiribath?

   anysome

3. How questions were in the exam?

   muchmany

4. We had fun at the trip.

   mucha lot of

5. Can I have milk in my tea?

   a fewa little

6. Don't worry, I have ideas for the project.

   a fewfew