Expressions of Quantity

Countable Nouns Uncountable nouns

Countable nouns have
both a singular and a
plural form.
an apple - two apples
a camel - two camels
Uncountable nouns do not
usually have a plural form
bread, rice, coffee, tea,
water,
(You can not use a/an with
uncountable nouns.)

We usually use some in affirmative sentences for both countable

and uncountable nouns.

 I would like to buy  Please give me some

some apples please. coffee.
(countable) (uncountable)

You usually use any in negative sentences and questions, for both
countable and uncountable nouns.

 We don't have any

 There isn't any coffee.
apples.
(negative sentence with
(negative sentence
uncountable noun)
with countable noun)
 Is there any coffee?
 Are there any apples?
(negative question with
(negative question
uncountable noun)
with countable noun)

 You usually use much

 You usually use many
in negative sentences
in negative sentences
and questions
and questions
(for uncountable
(for countable nouns.)
nouns.)

 We don't have many  There isn't much

apples. coffee.
 How many camels did  How much coffee
you see? should I buy?
If the uncountable noun is the subject, the verb is singular not
plural.
eg. "Coffee is good with cake"

More Expressions of quantity

Too much/ many + noun Too + adjective

 There's too much
noise.  The sea is too
 There are too much polluted.
people.

Not + adjective +
Not enough + noun
enough
 There isn't enough
farmland.  The air isn''t clean
 There aren't enough enough.
clean rivers.

Fewer, less and more

You use fewer and more You use less and more
with countable nouns. with uncountable nouns.
 In Britain there are
 There's more
fewer men than
pollution these day.
women.
 There's less clean
 There are more
air.
women than men.