Definition
We can define adjective of quantity as “Adjective of quantity indicates the amount or estimated amount of the noun or pronoun in the sentence. It does not provide information about exact numbers, it tells only the amount of noun in relative or whole terms”.
OR,
“Adjective which shows the quantity of nouns or pronouns is called as Adjective of Quantity”.
Explanation
Adjectives are used in the sentence to define nouns as well as characterize them to differentiate from other nouns. Adjectives are words that describe the kind of noun, its state, quality, quantity, amount, etc in the sentence.
It does not provide exact number of noun however tell only amount. It indicates ‘how much’ noun is there in the sentence. For example:
- He is so
- He has many
- She is very poor
- He has enough money to start business.
- Employees have completed most of the tasks.
In the above sentences, so, many, very, enough and most words are adjective of quantity as they are showing the amount of noun.
Adjectives of quantity are generally used when we do not require denoting the exact number of noun such as number of hairs, number of rice grains, number of sugar crystals in a packet or spoon, etc. Sometimes, some of the indefinite numeral adjectives are considered as adjectives of quantity. You can see the difference through the following sentences:
- She has bought some
- He has bought some
If there is need to use all the adjectives in a sentence, we should use them in the proper order such as quantity, quality, size, and age of the noun. After that, we can use shape and color of the noun. We should use all the adjectives as per the availability and requirement of the noun or pronoun description in a sentence.
If there is occurrence of more than one adjectives of same type in a sentence, we separate them with a ‘comma’ or ‘and’ is used between the last two. Do not place comma in between the noun and adjective.
List of Adjectives of Quantity
Adjectives of quantity help us in describing nouns especially when they do not require the exact number. Below is the list of commonly used adjectives of quantity:
- Any: is generally used in the negative and interrogative kind of sentences.
- Some: it is generally used in the affirmative sentences.
- Little: means ‘hardly any’ or ‘very small quantity’ and generally used with the singular uncountable nouns.
- Double: means two but not clearly states two in number.
- Substantial: means something in bulk
- Enough: it is used as both, adverb and adjective. As an adjective, it is used before the noun and as an adverb it is used after the noun.
For example:
She has enough money to enjoy the fair.
She was brilliant enough to pass her exam.
I got very little water in the school.
I have little interest in the sports.
- Much: it is used as determiner followed by the uncountable noun.
For example:
You don’t have much milk.
- All and whole: both have same meaning however used in different ways.
For example:
She had played alone all her childhood.
She had played alone for her whole childhood.
- Insufficient: means not enough for needs
- Sufficient: means enough to fulfill needs
For example:
It is insufficient food for me.
I have sufficient time.
- No: means no one, restricts all.
- Half: means something is not full.
- Few: means less amount.
For example:
No one is allowed to enter.
My milk glass is half full.
I have few books.
- Heavy: means bulk.
- Empty: means blank
- Abundant: means fully sufficient
For example:
It was heavy rain today.
Bottle is empty.
We need abundant amount of water daily.
- Light: means less mass. Like light snacks.
- Numerous: means many or a number of.
- Single: means one but not clearly states one.
For example:
I like to eat light snacks.
I have numerous pencils.
I like every single person in the music room.
Examples and Use
Following are some examples showing the use of adjectives of quantity in sentence:
- She eats a whole apple daily.
- I ate some rice today.
- He has only little knowledge about this project.
- He cannot spend his all money over you.
- There is no milk in the glass.
- All the students have passed the exam.
- There is enough petrol to reach to the destination.
- He gave me some
- There are hundreds of students who take part in the quiz competition.
- I know very little about classical dance.
- Add some sugar to my coffee.
- We have sufficient study-materials to pass the examinations.
- We need to have some
- I have little faith in the God.
- We have enough time for practice.
- He had supported poor people all through his life.
- There is little water in the pot.
- Is there any mango in the tub?
- She spent all her moneys.
- Only few birds are flying in the sky.
- Most of the boys like to eat burger.
Exercises for you
Adjective of quantity exercises given below will help you in analyzing your knowledge about adjective of quantity. Just go through all the details given above about the adjective of quantity and check your skill by doing following exercises for adjective of quantity.
We have used adjective of quantity in the following sentences; you need to check your skill by identifying adjective of quantity in each sentence:
- Many students did not attend the class today.
- Students have finished most of their exams.
- I have spent all my pocket money today.
- Adding some milk to the food makes you healthier.
- I have enough knowledge to complete this project.
- She ate the whole
- Have you got any message about today’s holiday?
- He has little interest in music.
- Seema had only half glass of milk.
- He has not much
- She has little money in pocket.
- He helped him with great
- Poor people do not have sufficient amount of money.
- He can spend only few dollars in this project.
- I have less time for this project.
- He has lost all the money.
- Much time has been spent by him.
- Having little thing is better than nothing.
- He cannot run any
- This company has insufficient manpower to complete its projects.
- I have bought few
- It may rain heavily
- We should eat light dinner every night.
- You will be paid double if you work overtime.
- There were hundreds of employees in company.
- He needs some tea having little sugar but no
- He has taken half cup of milk.
- The bucket was empty when I saw.
- It is great to see you here after so many
- In a couple of days our result will appear.
- He promised himself to help poor and needy people for whole
- They do not have enough team spirit to win the competition.
- There has been a substantial change in the exam paper since the new teacher has come.
- My speech was heard by every single student in the courtroom very attentively.
Answers: 1 – Many, 2 – most, 3 – all, 4 – some, 5 – enough, 6 – whole, 7 – any, 8 – little, 9 – half, 10 – much, 11 – little, 12 – great, 13 – sufficient, 14 – few, 15 – less, 16 – all, 17 – Much, 18 – little, 19 – any, 20 – insufficient, 21 – few, 22 – heavily, 23 – light, 24 – double, 25 – hundreds, 26 – some, little, no, 27 – half, 28 – empty, 29 – great, many, 30 – couple of days, 31 – whole, 32 – enough, 33 – substantial, 34 – single
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