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Quantifiers

Presentation / Objective

 

How to talk about quantity?

Think of the answers to these questions:

In this topic, you will answer those questions through the use of quantifiers.

  • You are going to review the use of the rules of quantifiers in words like a few, a little, plenty of and enough to express quantity in English. Also, you will learn that there are differences between these words as they can be used with singular or plural nouns, in affirmative or only negative sentences.
  • Then you will practice the topic in the four skills with activities about cities around the world, types of parties and the development of your country.
  • Finally, you will answer a self-assessment to review and acquire new vocabulary and practice the topic.

Did you know the use of these words? a few a little plenty of enough

 

Objective:

By the end of this topic, you will:
Be able to use quantifiers like a few, a little, plenty of, enough, in affirmative and negative sentences, and questions, so that you can express quantities in daily, leisure, sport and cultural activities

Content

 

Quantifiers

Rules of quantifiers

Click on Next to see the information.

We use much and little with uncountable nouns:

  • Sandra doesn’t have much time.
  • You will have much luck if you find a clover.
  • Please, try to use little energy with those gadgets.
  • We only have little money for the rest of the day.

We use many and few with plural nouns:

  • I have many friends from school.
  • Many people work in those premises.
  • There are only few cars on the streets today.
  • Few countries are not developing technology for their own.

We use plenty of with both uncountable and countable nouns. Plenty of = more than enough

  • Plenty of money was given to the winners of the lottery.
  • Sue has plenty of ideas about the design of her apartment.
  • There’s no need to hurry. We have plenty of time.

Little and few (without “a”) are negative ideas (=not much / not many).

  • Vicky doesn’t like living in Norway. She has few friends there = Not many, not as many as she would like.

A little and a few have a more positive meaning, they both mean some, or a small amount or number.

  • Let’s have a coffee. We have a little time before the train leaves.
  • I enjoy my life here. I have a few friends and we meet quite often.

Enough indicates that the quantity or size of something is suitable or appropriate.

  • The shoe is big enough = it fits my foot properly.

Not enough means that there is a problem with the quantity or size of something. The quantity is insufficient.

  • There is not enough orange juice for everyone = We need more juice for everyone, the quantity is not ok.

 

Reading

Activity 1

Dubai: The growth of a giant

• What have you heard of Dubai?
• Where is Dubai?
• Do you know the name of the tallest building in the world?
• Why has this city grown in such a rapid speed?
• Would you like to visit this city?

Retrieved on May 15, 2017 from https://pixabay.com/photo-1367094/

One use you can give to quantifiers is to talk about world cities and their kind of life.

Read the whole text “Dubai: The growth of a giant” and click on the Next button. Then, in the following sentences, write if they are true or false according to the information. After this, you will identify the appropriate use of quantifiers.

Decide if the following statements are true or false by choosing the appropriate option. You have only one attempt to answer the questions. At the end of the exercise, you can know your score.

 

Listening

Activity 2

The potluck party

• How often do you go to the supermarket?
• Have you ever gone to a potluck party?
• What do you buy when you are invited to a potluck party?
• How much do you buy if there are more than 20 people invited to a potluck party?

food Retrieved on May 15, 2017 from https://flic.kr/p/hVHhJu

Listen to the conversation by clicking here:

Listen to the speaker’s monologue and drag the different elements to the appropriate space according to the audio.

 

 

Writing

Activity 3

The development of my country

Another use you can give to quantifiers is to write about world cities, their economic and cultural development. You are going to write about the progress of your country using quantifiers.

Investigate the cultural and economic growth of your country. Write ten sentences, five affirmative and five negative ones, using the words in the box.

a few a little plenty of enough

Don’t be afraid to be creative and punctuate carefully. Pay special attention to the use of quantifiers and verb tenses.

Please, before you write your text, read the example and make sure it has the characteristics contained in the checklist to evaluate it yourself.

 

Speaking

Let’s organize a party!

As you have practised in this unit, quantifiers can be used in many ways. You are going to imagine you are going to throw a party. Choose from the following options:

  • a bachelorette party
  • a baby shower
  • a graduation party
  • a farewell party
  • a birthday party

food
Retrieved on May 18, 2017 from

Think about all the food and the requirements you need for the party. Make a recording where you use quantifiers to describe everything necessary for the party you chose.

Record a two-three minute monologue with the description. Pay attention to the use of quantifiers and correct tenses.

Make sure it has the characteristics contained in the rubrics. Listen to the example. Once you are ready, you will record your account.

With a little effort this party will be great, my mom will have plenty of fun and enough memories for years to come.

 

The developing country I would like to visit

Think of an English-speaking country you would like to visit.

Do some research about that country in terms of economy, culture, projects and plans for the people.

Prepare a monologue where you describe:

  • The country’s growth using quantifiers
  • Record a monologue with at least 180 words.

Please, before you send your description, make sure it has the characteristics contained in the rubic to evaluate it yourself.

 

 

 

 

Self-assessment

What is the quantity?

Quantifiers are very important to express quantity and, as you could see in this unit, they are widespread in the English Language. In this activity, you are going to make use of quantifiers to complete logical sentences.

Complete the following sentences using a quantifier from this topic.

Self-assessment

Which one?

Quantifiers are very important to express quantity and, as you could see in this unit, they are very common in the English Language. In this activity, you are going to choose specific quantifiers to complete a sentence with the correct word from the options.

Read these sentences and choose a quantifier to complete them.

References

Basic references

Hewings, Martin. (2005). Advanced Grammar in Use. Cambridge: CUP (2nd ed)
Murphy, R. (2012). English Grammar in Use. Intermediate.  Cambridge: CUP [4th ed]

Complementary references

BBC Learning English. (2006-2016). How to… Be vague. Retrieved 23/04/17 from
https://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/radio/specials/1210_how_to_converse/page17.shtml

BBC World Service. (2011). Learning English: Fewer or less? A little or a few?  Retrieved 23/04/17 from
https://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/grammar/learnit/learnitv260.shtml