English Grammar
SOME - ANY - A LITTLE - A FEW
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.
- Some is used in affirmative sentences, and also when asking for or offering something.
- I brought you some magazines to read.
- Would you like some milk in your coffee?
- Will you have some cake?
- Any is used in negative and interrogative sentences.
- There aren't any trees in the garden.
- Is there any hope of finding survivors?
- Do you have any idea what the time is?
- A few (a small number) is used with countable nouns:
- There are a few interesting articles in today's newspaper.
- There were a few people waiting for the bus.
- Few (not many) is used with countable nouns:
- Few witnesses accepted to testify at the trial.
- Few students showed any interest in the project.
- A little (a small quantity) is used with uncountable nouns:.
- I'd like a little cream on my strawberries please.
- He isn't rich but he has a little money.
- Little (not much) is used with uncountable nouns:.
- The manager showed little appreciation for my efforts.
- When it was time to set up the tents, the boys showed little enthousiasm.
| 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? | ||
See also : a lot-much-many few-little quantifying words