Tổng hợp kiến thức về từ chỉ số lượng trong tiếng Anh

1. Định nghĩa và các từ chỉ số lượng trong tiếng Anh

1.1. Định nghĩa

Từ chỉ số lượng hoặc các lượng từ trong tiếng Anh được gọi là Quantifiers, được sử dụng để chỉ số lượng. Chúng thường được đặt trước danh từ để bổ sung ý nghĩa cho danh từ đó.

Một số từ chỉ số lượng chỉ đi kèm với danh từ đếm được, một số khác lại đặc biệt phù hợp với danh từ không đếm được. Tuy nhiên, cũng có loại từ có thể đi cả trước danh từ đếm được và kết hợp với danh từ không đếm được.

1.2. Các từ chỉ số lượng trong tiếng Anh

2. Phương pháp sử dụng các từ chỉ số lượng trong tiếng Anh

Từ chỉ số lượng trong tiếng Anh thường xuất hiện trong các đề thi chứng chỉ quốc tế cũng như đề thi THPT Quốc Gia. Cùng tìm hiểu cách sử dụng và phân biệt các dạng lượng từ để dễ dàng đạt được điểm cao trong bài thi nhé!

2.1. Some

“Some” là một trong những lượng từ phổ biến trong tiếng Anh, được sử dụng trong câu khẳng định với ý nghĩa như “một vài” khi đi với danh từ đếm được và “một ít” khi đi với danh từ không đếm được. 

some + plural noun (+ plural verb)

For example: There are some cars parked outside.

           Some students enjoy playing basketball after school.

some + uncountable noun (+ singular verb)

For example: There is some milk in the fridge.

           Instead of having breakfast in the morning, I opt for drinking some milk.

2.2. Many/Much

Both “Many” and “Much” are used in negative and interrogative sentences. “Much” does not appear in affirmative sentences, whereas “many” can appear in affirmative sentences but less frequently than “a lot”. 

many + plural noun (+ plural verb)

For example: Are there many students in your class?

          Numerous books are placed on the shelves.

          There are not many stars in the sky.

much + uncountable noun (+ singular verb)

For example: There is not much clean water on the earth.

Note: We can use “so many” and “too much” before nouns in affirmative sentences.

For example: We expended excessive money on clothes.

2.3. Abundance of, A great deal of, A large amount of

Abundance of, A great deal of, A large amount of conveys 'a lot', employed in affirmative statements.

Abundance of, A great deal of, A large amount of + countable noun (plural) (+ plural verb)

For instance: There exist a lot of homework that we must complete before 9.00 pm.

           There are numerous swimmers in the swimming pool at present.

           A plethora of assignments require completion before 9.00pm.

Plenty of, A lot of, Lots of + uncountable noun (+ singular verb)

For example: A considerable amount of milk is retailed in the supermarket.

          A substantial sum of money is necessary to purchase this luxury bag.

          There is an abundance of sugar in the coffee. It is overly sweet.

2.4. A great number of/A large number of/Several/A great deal of/A large amount of/The number of

These phrases are used in affirmative sentences.

A great number of/A large number of/Several + countable noun (plural) (+ plural verb)

For example: There are numerous students who dislike studying Math.

           A large number of pigs are bred in Vietnam.

A great deal of/A large amount of + uncountable noun (+ singular verb)

For example: A great deal of rubbish surrounded the factory.

2.5. A little and little 

• “A little” mang nghĩa là “rất ít”, không nhiều nhưng đủ.

A little + uncountable noun (+ singular verb) 

For example: I only speak a bit of English.

• “Little”: một ít, một chút nhưng gần như không có (mang nghĩa phủ định).

Little + uncountable noun (+ singular verb)

For example: There's little milk in my coffee. It’s too bitter for me to drink!

2.6. A few and few

• “A few” mang nghĩa “rất ít”, không nhiều nhưng đủ.

A few + countable noun (plural) (+ plural verb)

For example: A handful of cows are grazing in the field.

• “Few”: một ít, một chút nhưng gần như không có. (mang nghĩa phủ định)

Only a few + countable noun (plural) (+ plural verb)

For example: Only a few students managed to pass the final exam.

2.7. All (of)

All (of): được dùng ở dạng khẳng định.

All (of) + plural countable noun (+ plural verb) 

For example: Every participant is ready for the competition.

All (of) + uncountable noun (+ singular verb) 

For example: All money was stolen by the thief. 

2.8. Most/Most of 

Most/Most of + plural countable noun (+ plural verb) 

For instance: Most of my friends opt to study overseas.

2.9. Any

“Any” is used in contrast to “some”; it can precede both countable and uncountable nouns. It typically appears in negative sentences and questions. 

Any + plural countable noun (+ plural verb) 

Any + singular uncountable noun (+ singular verb) 

For example: There isn't any sugar in the coffee.

           Has she consumed any salt?

2.10. Each/Every

“Each/Every” is used with singular countable nouns. “Each” is used when referring to two or more entities, while “Every” is used when referring to three or more entities.

For example: She’s misplaced almost every book she owned.

           Each one of them talked for ten minutes.

3. Exercises on Quantifiers in English

3.1. Complete the following sentences with “some” or “any”

Exercise:

1. We didn’t buy ______ cakes.
2. I will play soccer with ______ classmates of mine in the afternoon.
3. Have you read ______ good books recently?
4. I didn’t have ______ pencils, so I had to borrow ______ from my friends.
5. Could I have ______ milk in my coffee, please?
6. There isn’t ______ soap in the bathroom.

Solution:

1. any
2. some
3. any
4. any/some
5. some
6. any

3.2. Complete the sentence with “much, many, few, a few, little, a little, a lot of”

Exercise:

1. I have ______ homework to finish before 8.00pm so I’m very busy now.
2. The stadium is very crowded. There are so ______ people here.
3. There is ______ milk in the fridge. I have to go to the supermarket for dinner.
4. Most of the town is morden. There are ______  old buildings.
5. The mixture looks rather dry. Maybe you should add ______ water.
6. She has talked too ______.

Solution:

1. a lot of
2. many
3. little
4. few
5. a little
6. much

3.3. Choose the correct answer among the following 4 options

Exercise:

1. I feel sorry for her. She has ______ friends. (many/a few/few/a great deal)
2. I spent ______ my spare time gardening last year. (most of/most/many of/a large number of)
3. Can you speak French? – Yes,______. (a few/few/a little/little)
4. Give me ______ examples, please! (a few/a little/few/little)
5. He drank ______ wine last night and is sick now. (too many/too much/few of/a large number of)
6. Peter has spent ______ time and money on stamp collecting. (a few of/many of/a great deal of/a large number of)

Solution:

1. few
2. most of
3. a little
4. a few
5. too much
6. a great deal of

Above are the insights into the usage of quantifiers in English brought to you by Mytour. Further reference: The order of adjectives in English – Osascomp rules