Quantitative Adjectives

Quantitative adjectives describe quantity in terms of exact numbers, approximations, or more general amounts, and they guide us in choosing countable versus uncountable nouns. They fall into groups such as exact numbers, approximations, and general amounts.

Exact numbers specify a precise quantity and are used with countable nouns when we want to be clear about how many items are involved.

Approximate quantities give a rough idea of amount and can be used with both countable and uncountable nouns depending on context.

General amount adjectives express non-specific quantities and often come from everyday usage; some work better with uncountable nouns, others with countable ones.

Countable nouns refer to individual items that can be counted, while uncountable nouns refer to substances, qualities, or masses that we measure rather than count; quantitative adjectives agree with this distinction.

Quantitative adjectives usually come before the noun they modify and can be followed by a noun or a noun phrase; some quantitative adjectives work only with countable nouns, others only with uncountable, and some work with both.

Quantitative adjectives shape how we understand amount by specifying exact numbers, giving approximations, or expressing general quantities; paying attention to whether the noun is countable or uncountable helps us choose the right adjective.