English Grammar for ESL learners
SOME - ANY - A LITTLE - A FEW - MUCH - MANY
Words to express quantity in English.
Some, any, a little, a few are used to express quantity, to say or ask if you have
a quantity of something or not.
Here are some examples :
- Some is used in affirmative sentences,
and also when asking for or offering something.
- Any is used in negative and
interrogative sentences.
- A few is used with countable nouns: a few apples
(a small number of apples).
- A little is used with uncountable nouns: a little cheese (a small quantity of cheese).
Here are some examples :
| Affirmative | Negative | Interrogative |
| There are some apples in the bowl. (We don't know how many, but the bowl is not empty.) |
There aren't any apples. (The bowl is empty.) |
Are there any apples? (We want to know if the bowl contains apples.) |
| There are a few apples (not many, a small number). | There aren't many apples. | Are there many apples? (is there a large number of apples?) |
| There is a little cheese (not much, a small quantity). | There isn't much cheese. | Is there much cheese? (is there a large quantity of cheese?) |
| N.B.: Asking and offering: Can I have / would you like some coffee? | ||
Please note that British English spelling is used on this website.