Quantitative Adjectives
Quantitative adjectives tell us how much, how many, or the amount of something, and they shape meaning by specifying quantity rather than quality. This guide goes over the main types of quantitative adjectives with brief examples to show how they work in context.
Key Types
Quantitative adjectives include words for exact numbers, more general amounts, proportions, and sometimes measurements. Each type serves a different purpose when describing quantity.
Examples
Exact Numbers
Exact numbers give a precise count and are easy to use with plural nouns for things that can be counted.
Examples
More General Amounts
More general amount adjectives like some, much, and more give an imprecise quantity and can work with countable or uncountable nouns depending on the word.
Examples
Proportions
Proportion adjectives such as half, most, and all express a part relative to a whole and can be followed by plural nouns, uncountable nouns, or sometimes a of phrase.
Examples
Measurements
Measurement adjectives like lengthy, tall, or numerical meters long describe physical dimensions and usually come with units when precise.
Examples
| English Example | English Translation | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| 🥗 I cut the salad into several pieces. | I cut the salad into several pieces. | General amount |
| 🍰 She sliced the cake into exact parts. | She sliced the cake into exact parts. | Exact number |
| 🧃 He poured most of the juice into the glass. | He poured most of the juice into the glass. | Proportion |
| 🥖 The recipe calls for a small loaf of bread. | The recipe calls for a small loaf of bread. | Measurement |
| 🍊 There are many oranges in the basket. | There are many oranges in the basket. | Large quantity |
| 🍡 I ate a few pieces of the sweet. | I ate a few pieces of the sweet. | Small quantity |
| English Example | English Translation |
|---|---|
| 🥄 Add two tablespoons of sugar. | Add two tablespoons of sugar. |
| 🧴 Use a cup of oil for the dressing. | Use a cup of oil for the dressing. |
| 🧂 Sprinkle a pinch of salt on the vegetables. | Sprinkle a pinch of salt on the vegetables. |
| 🥒 Cut the cucumber into three-inch slices. | Cut the cucumber into three-inch slices. |
| ⏰ Cook the pasta for ten minutes. | Cook the pasta for ten minutes. |
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Summary
Quantitative adjectives tell us amount or number rather than quality, and they include exact numbers, general amounts, proportions, and measurements. Choosing the right type depends on whether you need a precise count, an approximate amount, or a relative part of a whole.
Last updated: Sun Sep 14, 2025