Vocabulary · Basics
Quantities in English
A2
Quantities in English: words for a lot and a little, some and any, full and empty, and phrases like a slice of or a bottle of, with the rules for many and much, few and a few. With British pronunciation (IPA) and examples.
Quick answer
A lot
| Word | Meaning | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| many(det.)“I have many friends.” | a lot (with countable nouns) | /ˈmeni/ |
| much(det.)“I don't have much money.” | a lot (with uncountable nouns) | /mʌtʃ/ |
| a lot of(det.)“There's a lot of food.” | a big amount (with all nouns) | /ə lɒt əv/ |
| lots of(det.) | a big amount (informal) | /lɒts əv/ |
| plenty of(det.) | more than enough | /ˈplenti əv/ |
| tons of(det.) | a very big amount (informal) | /tʌnz əv/ |
| loads of(det.) | a very big amount (informal, UK) | /ləʊdz əv/ |
Not much, not many
| Word | Meaning | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| few(det.)“I have few friends here.” | not many (negative) | /fjuː/ |
| little(det.)“There's little hope.” | not much (negative) | /ˈlɪtl/ |
| a few(det.) | some, a small number (positive) | /ə fjuː/ |
| a little(det.) | some, a small amount (positive) | /ə ˈlɪtl/ |
| not much(det.) | only a small amount | /nɒt mʌtʃ/ |
| not many(det.) | only a small number | /nɒt ˈmeni/ |
Other quantity words
| Word | Meaning | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| some(det.)“I have some money.” | an amount or number, not exact | /sʌm/ |
| any(det.)“Do you have any sugar?” | some, in questions and negatives | /ˈeni/ |
| several(det.) | more than two, but not many | /ˈsevrəl/ |
| all(det.) | every one, the whole amount | /ɔːl/ |
| none(pron.) | not one, zero | /nʌn/ |
| most(det.) | more than half | /məʊst/ |
| enough(det.) | as much as you need | /ɪˈnʌf/ |
Full and empty
| Word | Meaning | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| full(adj.)“The glass is full.” | with no space left | /fʊl/ |
| empty(adj.)“The room is empty.” | with nothing inside | /ˈempti/ |
| half(n./adj.) | one of two equal parts | /hɑːf/ |
| half-full(adj.) | filled to the middle (seen positively) | /hɑːf fʊl/ |
| half-empty(adj.) | filled to the middle (seen negatively) | /hɑːf ˈempti/ |
| whole(adj.) | complete, with nothing missing | /həʊl/ |
Pieces and containers
| Word | Meaning | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| a pair of(n.)“A pair of shoes.” | two things used together | /ə peə əv/ |
| a couple of(n.) | two, or a small number | /ə ˈkʌpl əv/ |
| a piece of(n.) | a part of something | /ə piːs əv/ |
| a slice of(n.) | a thin piece cut from bread or cake | /ə slaɪs əv/ |
| a bunch of(n.) | a group of flowers, bananas or grapes | /ə bʌntʃ əv/ |
| a glass of(n.) | a drink in a clear cup | /ə ɡlɑːs əv/ |
| a cup of(n.) | a hot drink, like tea | /ə kʌp əv/ |
| a bottle of(n.) | a drink in a plastic or glass container | /ə ˈbɒtl əv/ |
Common mistakes to avoid
Much friends ❌: use many
Many goes with countable nouns (people, books, friends). Much goes with uncountable nouns (water, money, time). Many friends ✓, much water ✓.
I have few friends ❌ when you mean “some”
Without a, few means “not many” (negative). I have few friends = I have very few, and it is sad. With a, a few means “some” (positive). I have a few friends = I have some, and it is OK.
I don't have some ❌: use any
Use some in positive sentences (I have some money) and in polite offers (Would you like some tea?). Use any in negative sentences (I don't have any) and in questions (Do you have any?).
Practice quiz
Related pages: Quantities
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Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between many and much?+
Many goes with countable nouns (things you can count: friends, books, cars). Much goes with uncountable nouns (things you cannot count: water, money, time). Many friends ✓, much water ✓. A common mistake: much friends is wrong.
What is the difference between few and a few?+
Few (without a) means “not many, almost none”: it is negative. I have few friends means I am a bit sad and I would like more. A few (with a) means “some”: it is positive. I have a few friends means I have some, and that is OK. The same rule works for little and a little.
When do you use some and any?+
Use some in positive sentences (I have some bread) and in polite offers or requests (Would you like some tea?). Use any in negative sentences (I don't have any) and in questions (Do you have any?). This is a general rule, and there are some exceptions.
Where does enough go in a sentence?+
Enough goes after an adjective or an adverb: tall enough, fast enough. It goes before a noun: enough money, enough time. Enough tall is wrong.
Is it half-full or half full?+
Both are correct. Before a noun, use a hyphen (-): a half-full glass. After be, you can write it with or without the hyphen: The glass is half full. The famous question Is the glass half full or half empty? asks if you are an optimist (you see the good side) or a pessimist (you see the bad side).
Updated on 12 November 2026 by the Big Challenge teaching team. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999. Our teaching approach →
The Big Challenge · Updated on 12 November 2026 · Source: www.thebigchallenge.com/bl/academy/learn-english/vocabulary/quantities
© The Big Challenge. Copying allowed for classroom use. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999.