When we describe something in English, we often talk about how much or how many—even if we don’t give an exact number. That’s where adjectives of quantity come in. These words help us express the amount of a noun, especially when the exact figure isn’t known or isn’t necessary.
Whether you’re saying there’s enough time, little hope, or plenty of food, you’re using adjectives of quantity to shape meaning clearly and naturally. They appear before nouns and work with both countable and uncountable forms, helping us express everything from scarcity to abundance.
Definition of Adjectives of Quantity
Adjectives of quantity describe how much of something is being referred to. They give a general idea of the amount rather than an exact number.
These adjectives are usually used with uncountable nouns (like water, time, sugar), but some can also be used with countable nouns in certain contexts.
They help answer questions such as:
- How much?
- There is little interest in the topic.
- We have enough flour for the recipe.
- How many?
- She invited several friends to the dinner.
- He made a few changes to the report.
These adjectives always appear before a noun and give a sense of the quantity involved—whether it’s some, all, none, or plenty.
Common Adjectives of Quantity
Below is a curated list of frequently used adjectives of quantity. These words help describe amounts—whether large, small, full, partial, or even zero.
| Adjective | Usage Description |
|---|---|
| Some | An unspecified amount (positive context) |
| Any | An unspecified amount (used in negatives/questions) |
| Much | A large amount (mostly uncountable nouns) |
| Many | A large number (countable nouns) |
| Few | A small number (countable nouns) |
| A few | A small but positive number (countable nouns) |
| Little | A small amount (uncountable nouns) |
| A little | A small but sufficient amount (uncountable) |
| Several | More than a few, but not many |
| Enough | As much or as many as needed |
| No | None; not any |
| All | The entire amount or number |
| Half | 50% or a significant part |
| Whole | Complete; entire |
| Plenty | A more than adequate amount |
| Sufficient | Just enough |
| Insufficient | Not enough |
| Abundant | Large in quantity; more than enough |
| Numerous | Existing in large numbers |
| Entire | Complete; used for full sets or groups |
Usage Rules for Adjectives of Quantity
Understanding how to use adjectives of quantity correctly helps improve sentence flow and accuracy. Here are the core rules to follow:
1. Used Before Nouns
Adjectives of quantity always appear before the noun they modify.
- She drank some water before leaving.
- We need enough chairs for the event.
2. Countable vs. Uncountable Nouns
Some adjectives are used only with countable nouns, while others pair with uncountable nouns. A few work with both.
| Adjective | Countable | Uncountable |
|---|---|---|
| Many | ✔ | ❌ |
| Much | ❌ | ✔ |
| Few / A few | ✔ | ❌ |
| Little / A little | ❌ | ✔ |
| Some, Any, Enough, No, All | ✔ | ✔ |
3. Positive vs. Negative Meaning
Words like few and little have a negative tone, while a few and a little imply something more positive or sufficient.
- Few students understood the topic. (not many understood)
- A few students stayed after class. (some stayed)
4. Subject-Verb Agreement
Make sure the verb agrees with the noun that follows the adjective of quantity.
- Many students are participating.
- Much of the equipment is outdated.
Examples of Adjectives of Quantity in Sentences
These examples show how adjectives of quantity work in everyday English. They include a mix of countable and uncountable nouns for clarity.
- Some guests arrived earlier than expected.
- We don’t have any information about the event.
- There isn’t much sugar left in the jar.
- Many people enjoy walking in the evening.
- Few options were available at that hour.
- I had a few questions after the meeting.
- There’s little hope of catching the last train.
- He added a little salt to the dish.
- Several students missed the assignment deadline.
- Do we have enough plates for everyone?
- There were no mistakes in her report.
- All seats have been taken.
- We completed half the work by lunch.
- She ate the whole apple in one bite.
- We still have plenty of time left.
- His answer showed sufficient understanding.
- Insufficient funds prevented the transaction.
- The garden has abundant flowers in spring.
- Numerous attempts were made to contact her.
- He stayed awake the entire night preparing.
Adjectives of Quantity vs. Adjectives of Number
Though they might seem similar, adjectives of quantity and adjectives of number serve different purposes in a sentence.
- Adjectives of Quantity describe an approximate or general amount.
They answer how much or how many, but not with exact numbers.
Example:- She had some time to spare.
- There was little traffic today.
- Adjectives of Number specify the exact count or order of nouns.
They answer how many in a precise way.
Example:- She has three cats.
- He was the first person to arrive.
In short:
- “Some,” “many,” “enough,” “few” → Quantity
- “Two,” “ten,” “first,” “last” → Number
Comparative and Superlative Forms of Adjectives of Quantity
Some adjectives of quantity can show comparisons between two or more things. In these cases, they follow standard comparative and superlative patterns:
| Base Form | Comparative | Superlative | Used With |
|---|---|---|---|
| Much | more | most | uncountable nouns |
| Many | more | most | countable nouns |
| Little | less | least | uncountable nouns |
| Few | fewer | fewest | countable nouns |
Examples:
- There is more water in this bottle than in that one.
- He has the most experience in the team.
- We had less noise today compared to yesterday.
- Fewer people showed up than expected.
These forms help us compare amounts or numbers without needing exact figures.
FAQs About Adjectives of Quantity
What is an adjective of quantity?
An adjective of quantity describes how much or how many of something there is, without giving an exact number. It refers to general amounts.
What is the difference between adjectives of quantity and number?
Adjectives of quantity express general amount (e.g., some, much, few), while adjectives of number show exact count or order (e.g., two, ten, first).
Can adjectives of quantity be used with both countable and uncountable nouns?
Yes, but it depends on the word:
Many, few, several → countable
Much, little → uncountable
Some, any, enough → work with both
Is ‘few’ the same as ‘a few’?
No. Few suggests almost none (negative tone), while a few means some, but not many (positive tone).
What are some examples of adjectives of quantity in a sentence?
He has enough money to buy the ticket.
There is little interest in the proposal.
Several students raised their hands.