Quantifiers: further information

They are often very similar in meaning and usage but there are some differences:

1.    Each can be used alone but every can't so: 

            Each/every delegate was given a name badge when they arrived.

            Each was given a name badge when they arrived.

2.    We use every with words like 'nearly' and 'almost':

            I've sent invitations to nearly every supplier we deal with.    

            I've sent invitations to nearly each supplier we deal with.      

3.    We use every with some abstract nouns in order to emphasise a positive attitude. For example:

                        I have every confidence that you will succeed.          

            We have every reason to believe that the situation will improve next year.

            He has every hope of winning the contract.

These are used with nouns to emphasise a small number or amount:

           I spent the little money I had on a new coat.

They might suggest 'not enough':

          This is one of the few departments in the company that is making a profit.

[Not enough departments are performing well]

Or refer to a special or select group:   

         Ours is one of the few companies of its kind to gain success in the US.

Similarly, we can use 'what few' and 'what little':

We need to work hard to keep what few clients we have left.

Let's use what little time we have effectively.

'Few' can be used with possessive adjectives and demonstratives:

            These few buildings here are going to be demolished.

            I really enjoyed my few days off last week.

This structure is more likely to be found in formal or literary English:

            Many a man has produced his best work late in life.

But it can be conversational, especially when talking about repeated actions:

            I spent many a pleasant afternoon just walking on the beach.

            I stayed out late many a night when I was young.

Note that in negative and interrogative sentences, we need to pay attention to word order to make our meaning clear. For example:  

Does he watch TV much? [= Does he often/regularly watch TV?]      

Does he watch much TV? [= Does he watch a lot of programmes?]

            I don't watch TV much. [not often]

            I don't watch much TV. [not a lot]

Similarly:

            Do you write letters much? [= Do you often write letters?]

            Do you write many letters? [= Do you write a large number of letters?]

            I don't write letters much. [not often]

            I don't write many letters. [not a lot]

Much is commonly used in passive sentences such as these: 

            The new building was much admired.

            Your offer is much appreciated.

            Our car is very old but much loved.

There is a slight difference in meaning between the following two sentences:

Do you have much money?

and

Do you have a lot of money?

Depending on the context, the first question might be referring to a large amount of money or simply asking how much money someone has or if they have enough.

The second question is asking specifically if someone has a large amount.

There is less difference between negative sentences:

            He doesn't have many friends.

            and

            He doesn't have a lot of friends.

Depending on the context or tone of voice, either sentence might be stating that the person doesn't have a large number of friends or emphasising a lack of friends in general.

We can use these in front of many:

The many people who attended the conference said it had been very productive.

He talked to us about his many roles.

We use 'as much/many as' to stress the size of an approximate amount or quantity:

As many as 300 people are expected to be there.

They predict as much as a 40% increase in sales next year.

We can use some before a quantity to mean 'approximately':

            Some 65% of our employees are women.

            We're expecting some 500 people to attend the conference.

In informal English, we sometimes use some with a singular noun. It is used when we are not being specific - because we don't know, can't remember or it doesn't matter which. To emphasise the lack of importance, we can add 'or other'

            "How was your trip to Rome?"

            "Not bad but I went to some fish restaurant and had something that made me really ill."

            "Did Jenny enjoy her holiday?"

            "Yes, she met some man or other but I don't think it will last."

We can use intensifiers to give extra information. Here are some examples:

Note that in contrast to the usual rule, when we add 'only' to a little or a few, it usually suggests a negative or unfavourable situation:

            There are only a few IT specialists in the department - we need to recruit some more.

Sometimes, however, there is a suggestion of reassurance and a positive attitude:

            I won't be long - I only have a few more things to do and then I'll help you.

            Don't worry; we only have to spend a little more time on this.

But when the noun is negative, the feeling is positive:

            There was only a little difficulty finding new recruits

  When the candidates arrived, each was shown to a waiting room.

  If we work together on this, we have every chance of success. 

  We get together every few months.

   "Do you speak German?"   "Yes, a little."  "That's unusual. The few French people I've met are more likely to speak Spanish."

    I don't know much about the situation but I'll share what little information I have.

   There are quite a few of us in this office at the moment - we need more desks.

    I'd like to visit these few villages here.

    We only have a few more days here so we won't have time to see everything.

    One of the best things about this city is the many different things you can buy in the markets. 

   I know many of you will agree that much can be achieved if we continue to work together.

   Much of my time is spent on the phone.

   The cathedral and city centre are much admired by visitors. 

   Many's the time I've fallen asleep at my desk.

   Since retiring, I've spent many a pleasant afternoon just relaxing and listening to music. I don't do a great deal in the mornings either!

   They're planning a much needed break.

    There are some seventy art galleries in Paris but you should check the opening times before visiting any of them.

   "How do you know that?"   "Oh, I read it in some book or other."