Home > Beginner Lessons  > Lesson 38 - Some, Any, A few, A little, Many, Much
 

Remember It

How much ....? = uncountable nouns
For example: How much coffee do you drink?
How many ....? = countable nouns
For example: How many cups of coffee do you drink?

How much? How many?

  Countable Nouns Uncountable Nouns
In questions: We use how many with plural countable nouns:- We use how much with uncountable nouns:-
  "How many newspapers do you read every day?" "How much paper is in the printer?"
  "How many Euros have you got?" "How much money have you got?"

Revise It - How much and How many in Lesson 36

Learn It

Some, Any

Countable Uncountable
There are some people.
cups.
books.
newspapers.
chairs.
shoes.
Euros. 		There is some money.
traffic.
paper.
time.
coffee.
food.

 

 

Countable

Uncountable
Statements: We can use some in positive sentences with plural countable nouns:- We can use some in positive sentences with uncountable nouns:-

Positive:

 I read some books. I would like some coffee.

 

Countable Uncountable
There aren't any people.
cups.
books.
newspapers.
chairs.
shoes.
Euros. 		There isn't any money.
traffic.
paper.
time.
coffee.
food.

 

Statement: We can use any in negative sentences with plural countable nouns:- We can use any in negative sentences with uncountable nouns:-

Negative:

 I don't read any books. I don't want any coffee.

 

Countable Uncountable
Are(n't) there any people?
cups?
books?
newspapers?
chairs?
shoes?
Euros?		 Is(n't) there any money?
traffic?
paper?
time?
coffee?
food?

 

Questions:

 We can use any in questions with plural countable nouns:- We can use any in questions with plural uncountable nouns:-

Positive Q:

 Are there any books? Do you need any coffee?

Negative Q:

 Aren't there any books? Don't you need any coffee?
!Note! When you expect the answer to be "Yes." to an offer or polite request, you can ask a question using some.

 

Countable

Uncountable

Question:

 Can I have some books, please? Would you like some coffee?

A few, A little

There are a few people
cups
books
newspapers
chairs
shoes
Euros 		There is a little money
traffic
paper
time
coffee
food

 

 

Countable

Uncountable
Statements:    
Positive: "I meet a few people every day." "There is a little paper in the printer."
  "I only have a few Euros." "I only have a little money."

Many, Much

There aren't many people
cups
books
newspapers
chairs
shoes		 There isn't much money
traffic
paper
time
coffee
food

 

 

Countable

Uncountable
Statements:    

Negative:

 I don't read many books. I don't drink much coffee.

Questions:

    

Positive Q:

 Are there many books? Do you need much coffee?

Negative Q:

 Aren't there many books? Don't you need much coffee?

Test It

Test what you have learnt - Much or many?