Quantitative adjectives describe how much or how many of a noun. They answer questions like “How many?” and “How much?” and they often appear before the noun they modify. Some are used only with countable nouns, some only with uncountable nouns, and some work with both. Choosing the correct quantitative adjective depends mainly on the noun type and on whether the meaning is exact or approximate.

Countable nouns can be counted as separate items and can usually take a plural form, like “books” or “cars.” Uncountable nouns are seen as a mass or substance and usually do not have a plural in the same meaning, like “water” or “information.” This difference determines whether you use “many” or “much,” “few” or “little,” and whether you can use “a number of” or “an amount of.”

Use “many” with countable plural nouns to talk about a large number of items. Use “much” with uncountable nouns to talk about a large quantity. In affirmative statements, “much” is less common in everyday style and is often replaced by “a lot of,” while “much” is very common in questions and negatives. “So many” and “so much” add emphasis.

Rule	Example
Use many with countable plural nouns	Many students arrived early.
Use much with uncountable nouns	There isn’t much time.
Much is common in questions and negatives	How much money do you need?
A lot of is common in affirmative statements	We have a lot of work today.

“Few” and “little” mean a small quantity, but they differ by noun type. “Few” is used with countable plural nouns, and “little” is used with uncountable nouns. Adding “a” changes the tone: “few” and “little” sound more negative or insufficient, while “a few” and “a little” suggest “some” and often feel more positive or sufficient for the situation.

Rule	Example
Few with countable plural nouns	Few tickets were left.
Little with uncountable nouns	We have little patience for delays.
A few suggests some and often enough	I have a few questions.
A little suggests some and often enough	Add a little sugar.

“Some” and “any” refer to an unspecified quantity and can be used with both countable and uncountable nouns. “Some” is common in affirmative statements and in offers or requests where you expect the answer “yes.” “Any” is common in questions and negatives, and it can also mean “it doesn’t matter which” in affirmative statements.

Rule	Example
Some is common in affirmative statements	We need some chairs.
Some is common in offers and requests	Would you like some tea?
Any is common in questions and negatives	Do you have any advice?
Any can mean no preference	You can choose any seat.

“Enough” describes a sufficient quantity for a purpose and can appear before a noun or after an adjective or adverb. “Plenty of” means more than enough and often suggests comfort or abundance. In formal writing, “sufficient” and “insufficient” can replace “enough” and “not enough,” but the basic meaning stays the same.

Rule	Example
Enough can come before a noun	We have enough food.
Enough can follow an adjective	The room is big enough.
Plenty of suggests more than enough	There is plenty of parking.
Not enough expresses shortage	I don’t have enough time.

“A lot of” and “lots of” express a large quantity and are used with both countable and uncountable nouns. They are very common in everyday English and sound more natural than “much” in affirmative sentences. In more formal contexts, “many” and “much” may be preferred depending on the noun type, but “a lot of” is widely acceptable in most situations.

Rule	Example
Use with countable nouns	She has a lot of friends.
Use with uncountable nouns	We did a lot of research.
Lots of is slightly more informal	There were lots of people.
Often preferred over much in affirmatives	We have a lot of time.

Some quantitative adjectives signal whether you are counting items or measuring quantity. “A number of” is used with countable plural nouns and takes a plural verb, while “the number of” refers to the total and is treated as singular. “An amount of” is used with uncountable nouns. “A quantity of” can be used with both, but it is more formal and less common in conversation.

Rule	Example
A number of plus plural noun takes a plural verb	A number of employees are remote.
The number of plus plural noun takes a singular verb	The number of employees is rising.
An amount of is for uncountable nouns	An amount of water leaked.
Quantity of is more formal	A large quantity of data was collected.

Quantitative adjectives can compare quantities between groups or situations. “More” and “most” work with both countable and uncountable nouns, while “fewer” is the comparative form for countable nouns and “less” is the comparative form for uncountable nouns. In careful writing, use “fewer” for countable items and “less” for uncountable quantities, and use “the least” or “the fewest” for superlatives.

Rule	Example
More works with both noun types	We need more chairs.
Fewer is for countable nouns	There are fewer mistakes now.
Less is for uncountable nouns	I have less energy today.
Most, least, fewest form superlatives	This option takes the least time.

Quantitative adjectives most often come before the noun, like “many people” or “enough time.” When a noun has another adjective, quantity usually comes first, like “many new students.” Some quantity expressions are part of a phrase with “of,” such as “a lot of” or “plenty of,” which must be followed by a noun or noun phrase. Understanding placement helps you avoid unnatural word order and ensures the quantity clearly modifies the noun.

Rule	Example
Quantity usually comes before the noun	Many people disagree.
Quantity often comes before other adjectives	Few serious problems occurred.
Of phrases require a following noun	Plenty of information is available.
Enough can appear after an adjective	The explanation is clear enough.