Quantitative Adjectives

Understanding Quantitative Adjectives

What They Are: Quantitative adjectives describe the quantity of nouns, without giving the exact number. Why They're Important: They're crucial for expressing amounts in a general way, especially when the precise number isn't known or isn't important.

Using Quantitative Adjectives in Everyday Language

1. Talking about Amount: She has a lot of books.
2. Indicating Some Quantity: There are several options to consider.
3. Describing Complete Quantity: He ate the whole cake.
4. Suggesting No Quantity: There are no tickets left.
5. Expressing an Undefined Quantity: Please add some sugar to my coffee.

Common Mistakes with Quantitative Adjectives

1. Using a Quantitative Adjective with Countable Nouns:
   • ❌ Incorrect: I have much books.
   • ✅ Correct: I have many books.
2. Confusing Countable and Uncountable Nouns:
   • ❌ Incorrect: She gave me a few advices.
   • ✅ Correct: She gave me a few pieces of advice. (Advice is uncountable.)
3. Using the Wrong Quantitative Adjective:
   • ❌ Incorrect: I need several water for the recipe.
   • ✅ Correct: I need some water for the recipe.
4. Misplacing the Quantitative Adjective:
   • ❌ Awkward: There are apples many in the basket.
   • ✅ Natural: There are many apples in the basket.
5. Using 'Less' Instead of 'Fewer' with Countable Nouns:
   • ❌ Incorrect: There are less people here today.
   • ✅ Correct: There are fewer people here today.
6. Using an Exact Number When a Quantitative Adjective Is More Suitable:
   • ❌ Too Specific: I saw 23 ducks in the pond.
   • ✅ General: I saw several ducks in the pond.
7. Confusing 'Little' and 'A Little' with Uncountable Nouns:
   • ❌ Incorrect: I have little patience for this. (Means almost none)
   • ✅ Correct: I have a little patience for this. (Means some)