As you have just learned in the previous chapter (click on PREVIOUS below to return there), adjectives of quantity tell us how much of something there is, and adjectives of number tell us how many of something there are. So, while adjectives of quantity always describe an approximate quantity, adjectives of number describe an exact amount. Examples:

  • Many children came to the party.
  • Forty people came to the party.

    • We use the adjectives of quantity, “some” and “any” for different purposes.

  • There is some supper left. (This is a positive statement.)
  • Is there any supper left? (This is a question.)
  • No, there isn’t any supper left, sorry. (This is a negative statement.)

    • We combine the adjective of quantity, “little” with “a” – “a little” and “the” – “the little” – to mean different things.

  • I have little interest in going with him. (I have hardly any interest in going with him.)
  • May I borrow a little sugar? (I would like to borrow a very little quantity of sugar.)
  • I have lost the little energy I had. (I had a small quantity of energy, but now I have none.)

    • The adjectives of quantity, “all” and “whole” are similar in meaning, but they are placed differently in a sentence.

  • All our family members went to the picnic.
  • Our whole family went to the picnic.

    • Adjectives of order are used with singular nouns, not plural nouns, for example:

    Turn down the third road on the left.

    However, if there is a list of adjectives of order, a plural noun is used, for example:

    The first, second and third prizes will be announced later.