Adjectives of quantity
An adjective of quantity is a word that describes the amount of something without giving an exact number, such as "some", "much", "little" or "enough". It modifies uncountable nouns (and sometimes countable ones) by showing how much of something exists, is needed or is used, rather than counting individual items.
Types of adjectives of quantity
Definite quantity adjectives
Words that state a precise, measurable amount, often used with numbers or specific measurements.
e.g. two kilos of rice, half a litre of milk, double the amount
Indefinite quantity adjectives
Words that describe an approximate or unspecified amount without an exact figure.
e.g. some sugar, much time, little water
Distributive adjectives of quantity
Words that refer to quantity in relation to a whole or each part of a group.
e.g. all the water, each portion, whole loaf
Sufficiency and excess adjectives
Words that show whether an amount is adequate, insufficient or more than needed.
e.g. enough money, too much noise, plenty of rice
Rules to remember
- Adjectives of quantity usually come before uncountable nouns to show how much of something there is, for example 'much patience' or 'little advice'.
- Use 'much', 'little' and 'a little' with uncountable nouns, but 'many', 'few' and 'a few' with plural countable nouns instead.
- 'Little' and 'few' (without 'a') suggest a negative or insufficient amount, while 'a little' and 'a few' suggest a positive or sufficient amount.
- 'Enough' can come before or after the noun it modifies is incorrect; it always comes before the noun (enough time) but after adjectives (warm enough).
- Words like 'all', 'some', 'any', 'no' and 'whole' work with both countable and uncountable nouns, so check the noun type before choosing the correct quantity word.
Examples in sentences
| Example | How it works |
|---|---|
| There is not much time left before the exam. | 'Much' shows quantity with the uncountable noun 'time'. |
| She gave me a little advice about the interview. | 'A little' shows a small but sufficient amount of uncountable 'advice'. |
| We have enough evidence to support the argument. | 'Enough' shows sufficiency before the uncountable noun 'evidence'. |
| Few students attended the lecture yesterday. | 'Few' (without 'a') shows an insufficient number of countable 'students'. |
| He added a whole cup of sugar to the mixture. | 'Whole' describes quantity as a complete unit. |
| There was too much traffic on the motorway this morning. | 'Too much' shows an excessive quantity of uncountable 'traffic'. |
| All the information was accurate and up to date. | 'All' shows total quantity with the uncountable noun 'information'. |
Common mistakes
Incorrect: I have much friends in London.
Correct: I have many friends in London.
Incorrect: There is a few water in the bottle.
Correct: There is a little water in the bottle.
Incorrect: We don't have time enough to finish.
Correct: We don't have enough time to finish.
Why this matters for IELTS
Using adjectives of quantity accurately, especially the countable and uncountable distinctions between 'much/many' and 'little/few', shows examiners a strong command of grammatical range and accuracy in IELTS Writing and Speaking. Precise use of 'enough', 'a little' versus 'little', and 'a few' versus 'few' also helps you express nuanced meaning about sufficiency and scarcity, which examiners reward at Band 7 and above.
Frequently asked questions
What is an adjective of quantity?
It is a word that shows how much of something there is without stating an exact number, such as 'some', 'much', 'little' or 'enough', typically used with uncountable nouns.
What is the difference between 'few' and 'a few'?
'Few' suggests almost none and has a negative tone, while 'a few' suggests a small but adequate number and has a positive tone; both are used with countable nouns.
Can adjectives of quantity be used with countable nouns?
Yes, some like 'many', 'few', 'a few', 'all', 'some' and 'no' work with plural countable nouns, while 'much' and 'little' are reserved for uncountable nouns.
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