7. Quantifiers + Countable and Uncountable Nouns

 

 

 

There are quantifiers that can be used with both countable and uncountable nouns. They include all, any, enough, most, no, and some. 

Examples:

  • Countable: All volunteers will undergo some first-aid training.
  • Uncountable: He has been trying all morning to call the government office.
  • Countable: There wasn't any policeman around when the fighting broke out.
  • Uncountable: She left her husband without any warning..
  • Countable: There were not enough cups at the party, so I drank from the bottle. .
  • Uncountable: I just had enough money to buy her an ice cream. .
  • Countable: She received the most Christmas cards in the family. 
  • Uncountable: She spent the most time chatting with friends. .
  • Countable: Hurriedly, he sent the letter with no stamp on the envelope..
  • Uncountable: The job is not for me as I have no experience in managing a turkey farm..
  • Countable: There were some noisy passengers in the bus.
  • Uncountable: She gave me some advice about looking after my grandmother. .

 

 

A lot of and lots of
A lot of and lots of mean the same. They both mean a large quantity of.
 

Examples:

  • He has a lot of hair on his chest.
  • He has lots of hair on his chest.

 

 

Both a lot of and lots of can be used before uncountable nouns or plural countable nouns.

Examples:

  • A lot of/Lots of sand has got into my shoes. (Uncountable noun)
  • There was a lot of/lots of rubbish everywhere. (Uncountable noun)
  • I can eat a lot of/lots of grapes when I want to. (Countable noun)
  • There were a lot of/lots of people doing nothing on the beach. (Countable noun).

 

 

When we use a lot of/lots of with a plural subject, we use a plural verb or a singular verb if the subject is singular.  

Examples:

  • A lot of/Lots of replies were received in response to her advertisement. 
  • A lot of/Lots of false information was given by him to the tax authorities. 

 

 

Quantity words + of
The following quantifiers (quantity words + of) are used with specific countable and uncountable nouns.
 

Examples:

  • Countable: All of the complaints were against the Manager. 
  • Uncountable: All of the household waste was dumped in a small bin, causing overflow. 
  • Countable: We have enough of your meat pies. 
  • Uncountable: I have had enough of your nonsense.
  • Countable: Most of the teaching staff were female. .
  • Uncountable: They are looking for the one who leaked most of the confidential information to the press. 
  • Countable: We bought plenty of beans to last the weekends.
  • Uncountable: We had plenty of time to prepare before we set off.
  • Countable: Some of the ghost stories in the book are believed to be true.
  • Uncountable: You honestly think this bakery makes some of the best bread in the city? 
 
 
 
Another and other
Another means one more person or one more thing. It is a determiner that is used before a singular countable noun.  

 

Examples:

  • The tribal chief has five wives already, and now he wants another one.
  • We need another pair of hands to help carry this heavy thing.

 

 

Other means additional or alternative type.  

Examples:

Other is used with singular uncountable nouns or plural nouns.
  • They have found other evidence that would prove him guilty.
  • There must be other ways of eliminating rats besides poisoning them.

When other is followed by a singular countable noun, a determiner is used before it.

  • I'm looking for my other shoe.
  • The police also detained the other person who was sleeping with him.  

Other in plural form (others) is not a determiner.

  • No: Half of this book is about World War Two, and the others half is about World War Three. 
  • Yes: Half of this book is about World War Two, and the other half is about World War Three.