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Unit 13

UNIT 13
THE EXPRESSION OF QUANTITY

OUTLINE
0. INTRODUCTION
1. THE EXPRESSION OF QUANTITY
2. THE EXPRESSION OF QUANTITY BY MEANS OF NUMBER
2.1. Nouns
2.1.1. Singular vs. plural
2.1.2. Count vs. noncount
2.2. Numerals
2.3. Pronouns
2.3.1. Universal pronouns
2.3.2. Partitive pronouns
2.3.3. Quantifying pronouns
3. REGARDING DETERMINERS
3.1. Predeterminers
3.2. Central determiners
3.3. Postdeterminers
4. REGARDING PARTITIVE CONSTRUCTIONS
5. REGARDING OTHER MEANS
6. CONCLUSION
7. BIBLIOGRAPHY

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0. INTRODUCTION

In English, number is a feature of nouns, demonstratives, personal pronouns and verbs.

Nouns have singular or plural number and verbs in the 3rd person vary for singular and plural
agreement with the subject noun. The nouns which, according to the main rule, are singular are
singular count nouns (a boy, a table), mass nouns (advertising, our music, the butter) or proper
nouns (John, Cairo, the Thames). The only nouns which normally occur in the plural are plural
count nouns, i.e. nouns denoting more than one: two boys, the tables, these ideas
This unit, thus, aims to provide an insightful analysis of the expression of quantity in
English, since this is an important and chief aspect in the mastery of a foreign language.
All of this will be done under the perspective of some of the most important grammarians in
the field, namely, Greenbaum, Leech, Quirk and Starvick, A Comprehensive Grammar of the
English Language (1985), Leech and Starvick, A Communicative Grammar of English (1986),
Swan, Practical English Usage (1995); Rodney Huddleston and Geoffrey K. Pullum, The
Cambridge Grammar of the English Language (2002) and Thomson and Martinet, A Practical
English Grammar (1986).

1. THE EXPRESSION OF QUANTITY

In general, the notion of quantity refers to the number or the amount of items we are
dealing with, and it is the answer to questions such as How much...? and How many...? They both
ask for similar information, except for a specific difference about the exact amount of, which can
be definite (two, four), indefinite (some, any), or drawn from other means. Answers are directly
drawn from different sources, such as nouns (one book, two books), pronouns (nobody, everybody,
somebody), determiners (a, the, my, some, every, each), or verbs (shout vs scream), and also from
other grammatical structures such as partitive constructions (a glass of milk ) or idioms (She is as
cold as a cucumber).
These expressions play their role in a linguistic description in terms of function, within a
larger linguistic structure (subject, object, determiner, and so on), and word-class (noun, adjective,
verb, and so on) when we view them as something that has individual characteristics. Both function
and word class are relevant for our present purposes since we must examine the expression of
quantity through them. These expressions can be grouped together into word classes following
morphological and syntactic rules. Moreover, they share a number of properties, for instance, on

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morphological grounds (typical endings for nouns, such as s and s) or on the syntactic ground
(indefinite pronouns functioning as determiners: any of you).
The notion of quantity can be expressed by the different linguistic levels: phonology,
morphology, syntax, lexis and semantics. Phonology deals with pronunciation of singular and plural
forms (bus, buses); morphology deals with plural markers (s, -es); syntax with the establishment of
rules that specify which combinations of words constitute grammatical strings (determiner + noun);
lexis deals with the expression of amount by means of idioms (stubborn as a mule ), verb choices
(rain vs. pour), adverbial expressions (speaking loud), or partitive constructions (a piece of
furniture); and finally, semantics deals with meaning where syntactic and morphological levels do
not tell the difference (You are here you, 2nd person singular or you, 2nd person plural).

2. THE EXPRESSION OF QUANTITY BY MEANS OF NUMBER

In order to describe quantity in terms of number, we must relate this notion to the general
term noun, which denotes the class to which the categories of number, gender and case have their
primary application in languages. Here, we will deal with the expression of number, first, regarding
nouns, second, numerals and, finally, pronouns.

2.1. Nouns

2.1.1. Singular vs. plural

The contrast singular vs. plural is drawn from the category of number which operates
through subject-verb concord and pronominal reference, where every noun form is understood
grammatically as either singular or plural. Singular, then, relates to the quantity one for count
nouns, whereas plural relates to the quantity more than one for count nouns. Within the term plural,
different types are included. We can distinguish between variable vs. invariable plurals. In turn,
each of these is subdivided into different types:

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Singular invariable

INVARIABLE

Plural invariable

PLURALS

Regular plurals
Irregular plurals
VARIABLE

-Non-count nouns: concrete (gold,

furniture)
-Non-count nouns: abstract (music,
homework)
-Proper nouns (The Alps, the
Thames)
-Some nouns ending in s (news,
billiards)
-Abstract adjectival heads (the bad,
the mean)
-Summation
plurals
(trousers,
scissors)
-Pluralia tantum in s (thanks,
outskirts)
-Plural
proper
nouns
(the
Netherlands)
-Unmarked plural nouns (cattle,
sheep )
-Personal adjectival heads (the
young, the rich)
Plurals in s or es (boy-boys; flyflies)
Voicing (knife -knives; thief-thieves)
Mutation (man-men; goose-geese)
-en plural (brother-brethren)
zero plural (fish-fish)
foreign plurals (analysis-analyses)

Within variable plurals, we distinguish first, regular plurals (adding s/-es) and irregular
plurals (voicing, mutation, -en plural, zero plural and foreign plurals). Second, within invariable
plurals, we also distinguish, on the one hand, singular invariables (concrete vs. abstract noncount
nouns, proper nouns, some nouns ending in s (news), and abstract adjectival heads), and, on the
other hand, plural invariables (summation plurals, pluralia tantum in s, some plural proper nouns,
unmarked plural nouns, and personal adjectival heads: the rich). Finally, in addition to singular
and plural number, we may distinguish dual number in the case of both, either, and neither, since
they can only be used with reference to two.
Focusing on VARIABLE PLURALS, we shall distinguish between regular and irregular
plural formation. Since the vast majority of English nouns are count, they take plural formation in a
regular and predictable way in sound and spelling.
Regarding sound, the plural of a noun is usually made by adding s to the singular, which is
the unmarked form, and is regularly realized in three ways at the phonological level: first, /s/ after
bases ending in voiceless sounds except sibilants (books, roofs, lips, hats); second, /z/ after bases

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ending in voiced sounds except sibilants (trees, bars, days, beds, dogs, pens); and third, /iz/ after
bases ending in a sibilant (horses /s/, noises /z/, brushes, mirages, churches, and bridges).
Regarding spelling, for the most part, plurals are formed by simply adding s to the singular
(cat-cats, girl-girls). Other regular plurals add es in nouns ending in z, -s, -ss, -sh, -ch, -x and o
(waltzes, gases, dresses, wishes, matches, boxes and tomatoes). However, at the sound level, all of
them get an extra syllable /iz/ when pronounced, except for those words ending in -o (echoes,
potatoes), which are realized as /schwa+s/. Moreover, note that words or foreign origin or
abbreviated words ending in o add s only (dynamo-dynamos, kilo -kilos, photo-photos, sopranosopranos). The spelling (e)s is also found in the following two cases, where the spelling of the
base is affected: first, in words ending in a consonant symbol + -y, where y changes into i (bodybodies, country-countries). Note that there is a change in the words ending in f, where the f of the
base is changed into v (calf -calves, knife-knives, leaf-leaves).
Yet, there are some exceptions to the general pluralization rule which may present some
irregularities. Thus, first, (1) voicing, which is a change in the base, from voiceless to voiced
consonant, when a the regular suffix s/-es is added (bath-baths, house -houses). Note that this may
be reflected in spelling (knife-knives) or not (mouth-mouths). Secondly, (2) mutation, when a few
nouns undergo a change of vowel sound and spelling (mutation plurals) without an ending (footfeet, louse-lice, tooth -teeth, goose-geese, man-men). Thirdly, (3) en plural, pronounced with
schwa, involves both vowel change and an irregular ending, as for instance, child children, ox oxen, and brother-brethren, when used in the sense of fellow members. Fourth (4), zero plurals,
which on being unquestionable count, have no difference in form between singular and plural, when
referring to animals in general (sheep, cattle), and in particular, to those viewed as prey (They
hunted two reindeer/woodcock and caught two trout/salmon ). Note the difference here between, on
the one hand invariable nouns, which are either singular (The music is so trendy) or plural (All the
cattle are in the field ), and, on the other hand, zero plural nouns, which can be both singular and
plural (This sheep is small/all those sheeps are small). Finally, (5) foreign plurals within regular
type formation are those used in technical usage, whereas the s plural, which is an English regular
form is more natural in everyday language (Compare formulas (general) and formulae (in
mathematics). Numerous nouns adopted from foreign languages, especially Latin and Greek, still
retain the foreign inflection for plural (stimulus-stimuli; corpus-corpora; criterion criteria).
Secondly, regarding INVARIABLE PLURALS, we may distinguish invariable singular vs
invariable plural nouns which are resistant to number contrast, since there are singular nouns that
cannot ordinarily be plural (meat, sugar), and plural nouns that cannot ordinarily be singular
(binoculars, sunglasses).

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Within singular invariables, which take a singular verb, we distinguish five main types: (1)
concrete noncount nouns (cheese, gold, furniture); (2) abstract noncount nouns (homework, music,
injustice); (3) some proper nouns (Shakespeares, her Mondays, Christmases); (4) nouns ending in
s are particular words, (news), some diseases (German measles, mumps, rickets), names in ics
(Physics, classics, phonetics), some games (bowls, dominoes, fives), and finally, (5) some proper
nouns (Brussels, Athens, Wales) or collective nouns (The States, committee, government, team).
Within plural invariables, we shall distinguish five main types as well. Thus, (1) summation
plurals (or binary nouns), which refer to entities which comprise or are perceived as comprising two
parts such as tools, instruments, or articles of dress (scissors, forceps; tweezers, scales; shorts,
tights). Countability is usually achieved through quantity partition, thus a pair of, several pairs
of; (2) pluralia tantum in s are nouns that only occur in the plural and refer to entities which
comprise or are perceived as comprising an indefinite number of parts (communications=means of
communication, and similarly, The Middle Ages(=Medieval Times), arms (=weapons), customs
(=customs duty), goods (=a goods train), the Lords (=The House of Lords), spirits (=mood). Note
that with some items there is vacillation between singular and plural since when they have no s,
there is a difference in meaning (brain-brains, cloth -clothes, a troup of scouts-troops, mannermanners). (3) Some proper nouns are pluralized when a title applies to more than one succeeding
name, as in the two Miss Smiths, the Kennedys, and the two Germanys, especially in British
English commercial use meaning the firm of (the Smiths). Moreover, (4) we also find unmarked
plural nouns which are not plural in form and emerge from some pluralia tantum, thus The data
is/are useful, and similarly cattle, clergy, offspring, people, police And finally, (5) some personal
adjectival heads of human nature, such as the rich, the young. Remember that compound nouns
form the plural in different ways, thus adding plural in the first element (passer-by, passers-by); in
both first and last element (manservant, menservants), and the last and most usual way, adding
plural in the last element (boyfriend, boyfriends; grownup, grown-ups). Also, initials can be made
plural (MPs=Members of Parliament, VIPs=very important persons).

2.1.2. Count vs. noncount

Nouns also reflect the category of number with the contrast between count vs. noncount
nouns. Thus, the term count refers to an individual interpretation of an item from a larger set of
discrete units that could be counted (table, building, tree, car, book, computer, disk), whereas
noncount refers to an undelimited interpretation of a substance (liquid or solid) rather than a unit
(sand, soap, jam, paper, water, air).

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Countable nouns are easily detected because of plural forms, and uncountable nouns are
reflected in general abstract terms such as names of substances (bread, beer, coffee); abstract nouns
(advice, experience, fear, relief); other nouns countable in other languages (baggage, camping,
damage, furniture, shopping). Uncountable nouns are always singular and are not used with
indefinite articles, but often preceded by quantifiers like some, any, no, a little (I dont want (any)
advice; I want (some) information).
Hence, a plural triggers a count interpretation, the same as numerals, quantifiers (many, few,
several, much, little), and definite or indefinite articles. Common countable nouns can be preceded
by numerals, quantifiers (except for much, little), and definite/indefinite articles whereas common
noncount nouns can only be followed by the quantifiers much and little and the definite article.
Consider the following examples:
They heard strange noises last night vs. Dont make much noise.
With singular nouns, the determiners one, a, another, each, every, either, neither force a
count interpretation, whereas enough, much, most, little and unstressed some or any induce a
noncount interpretation. A singular common noun without any determiner will normally take a
noncount interpretation (He drinks whisky). Also, the majority of nouns can be used with either kind
of interpretation when using partitive constructions (a piece of, an item of, a bottle of, a loaf of).

2.2. Numerals
The expression of quantity by means of numerals is given by three sets: cardinal numbers
(one, two, three), ordinal numbers (first, second), and fractions.
Cardinal and ordinal can function as pronouns or as determiners, except for nought / zero.
This figure is called nought, oh, zero, and nill. We say nought when it occurs as the name of the
numeral, being replaced by the determiner no or the pronoun none in general use. We use oh to
say numbers and figures at the same time, and when saying figures separately, as in telephone
numbers, post codes, address numbers. Then, figures are pronounced in groups of three or four.
When used to refer to temperature, zero is used, for both British and American English (It is zero
degrees Celsius today), and we say nil when talking about games (They won four-nill).
Ordinals are normally preceded by an article, usually the definite article (Today is the
eleventh). Ordinals are used when talking about fractions and decimals (1/6=one sixth; 2/5=two
fifths) or when expressing order or priority (He was the first one to cross). Finally, the notion of
quantity is also conveyed by singular and plural measurements in fractions and decimals with the

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structure of a + singular noun (two sixths of a centimetre) or decimals+ plural noun (2,8
millimetres=two point eight millimetres).

2.3. Pronouns

For our purpose, we shall concentrate on indefinite pronouns, which include: universal,
partitive, and quantifying pronouns. (See appendix 1).

2.3.1. Universal pronouns

In order to examine universal pronouns, we must consider first the universal compound
indefinites (everyone, everybody, everything; no one, nobody, nothing), where the suffixes one and
body are used for people, whereas the ending thing is for objects, and where for places. The
universal pronouns and determiners comprise each, all, every, and the every compounds. Despite
their singular form, the compounds have collective reference, and along with every they entail
reference to a number of three of (usually) more. Each entails reference to two or more, and has
individual reference. Thus:

There were two boys who called and I gave an apple to each / *everybody.
There were seven boys who called and I gave an apple to each / everybody.

Indefinite personal pronouns functioning as pronouns take singular verbs, despite their
entailment of plural meaning, (Everybody was out; no one wanted to come), thus, everycompounds and each are used with personal count nouns in singular, and everything and each with
unipersonal count nouns. In plural, both personal and non-personal count nouns refer to all/both and
all is used for both singular and plural nouns.
Among their main grammatical features, every and its compounds take a singular form.
Also, since universal pronouns denote people, they can take genitive suffixes as in everybodys car.
Regarding each, it may appear alone as a pronoun, but it is common to find the expression each
one. Both and all are used for count nouns in plural. All is also used for nouncount nouns and both
refers to dual number. They may appear medially with plural reference (They both/all are quite
intelligent), referring to two people. In very formal style, all is used to mean everybody (All those
who speak Italian), and is also used in negative constructions (Not all the people speak Italian
here).

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COUNT
UNIVERSAL PRONOUNS

Singular

Pronoun

Plural

NON-COUNT

Personal

Non-personal

Everyone

Everything

Everybody

Everywhere

Each

Each

Pronoun

all

All / both

2.3.2. Partitive pronouns

Parallel to the universal pronouns, we have three sets of partitive pronouns with associated
determiners (every, all, both, a(n), some, any, either, neither, none, no): assertive partitive
indefinites, non-assertive partitive indefinites, and negative partitive indefinites.
Some is used for plural count and noncount nouns, both personal and non-personal (You
need some lawyers/water). When some is used to talk about an uncertain or indefinite quantity
(Would you like some sugar?), it is pronounced with the weak form. Yet, although some is used in
interrogative form, its basic meaning is still assertive. However, when used as a pronoun (I already
have some), it is pronounced with a strong form.
Non-assertive partitive indefinites express two ideas at the time, but still an uncertain
number of identity since the basic meaning is negative. In negative and interrogative sentences we
have anyone and anybody for singular personal count nouns (I didnt see anybody) and anything for
singular non-personal count nouns (She didnt buy anything). In plural, for count nouns in general,
any (as some) is used for noncount as well (She had no bananas/idea). Since any is the negative
counterpart of some, we may find it functioning as a pronoun (Did you find the pepper?- No, I
didnt find any). Its counterpart either functions as a determiner, meaning one or the other, and
occasionally both.
Negative partitive pronouns include nobody and no one for personal reference in count
singular nouns whereas, nothing nowhere have non-personal reference. None and neither are used
for singular count nouns, both personal and non-personal, and only none is used for plural count and
noncount nouns.

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NUMBER

FUNCTION

COUNT

NON-COUNT

PERSONAL
NONPERSONAL
Assertive

Pronoun

Someone

Singular

Determiner

something
some

Somebody
A / an
Plural

Pronoun &
Determiner

Non-assertive

Pronoun

some
Anyone

Anything

Anybody

Singular
Determiner

Either

any

Any
Plural

Pronoun &
Determiner

Any

Negative

Pronoun

Nobody

Singular

Determiner

Nothing

Any

No one

No

None / neither

None

Pronoun &
Plural

Determiner

None

2.3.3. Quantifying pronouns

Also called quantifiers, this type of pronouns refer to the increase or decrease of the
totality, lack of, or partial amount of something. They fall into three main subclasses:

a. Quantifiers which can only function as pronouns: they are the universal and partitive pronouns
together, thus someone, somebody, something; anyone, anybody, anything; everyone, everybody,
everything; and no one, nobody, nothing, and none: I seem to have forgotten everything and None
of the girls has/have been invited. Numerals are included in this type and, in particular, cardinal
numbers (I bought three).

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b. Quantifiers which can function both as pronouns and as determiners: these are divided into two
types: first, enumerative quantifiers for singular and count nouns (a, an, one, and numerals) or
plural count and noncount nouns (some, enough, both, all). Second, general quantifiers for count
nouns (many, (a) few, several) and noncount nouns (much, (a) little). Thus, the following
quantifiers, functioning both as pronouns and determiners, may be included here: some, any, each,
all, both, either, neither; much, many (more, most); (a) little, less, least; (a) few, fewer, fewest;
plenty of, a lot of, lots of, a great deal of; enough, and several (So far I have discovered few
mistakes).
Within enumerative quantifiers, we also include cardinal and ordinal numbers. Apart from
numerals, we include general quantifiers, which comprise a variety of words and expressions. For
instance, many and much are not different in meaning but they differ in context, since many is used
only with plural count nouns (He said many stupid things) and much only occurs with noncount
nouns.

But we may also use phrasal quantifiers, such as a great deal of or a large number of +
plural noun (There are a large number of witnesses) or a large amount of + singular noun (We have
a great deal of time). In informal style, they appear again in affirmative sentences but using other
expressions, such as plenty of, a lot of, lots of, or loads of, used for both count and noncount nouns.
Many and much have other particular uses, for instance, when combined with too, so, or as in order
to provide a negative feeling to the amount of under consideration (too many children were at
home).
Similarly, few or a few or several are used with count nouns, whereas little and a little, or a
little of occur with noncount nouns, in singular. When comparing few and little, we find a
positive/negative contrast depending on whether the definite article is used or not. For instance,
when using the article a few biscuits, they have a positive meaning, thus, several biscuits.
However, negative meaning is conveyed with no article.
Several is rarely preceded by a determiner, and is always used with plural count nouns (He
had several lovers). The quantifier enough is used with both count and noncount nouns (There are
enough chairs / wine). Moreover, each operates with singular reference (Each member came) and is
targeted on the individual among the totality whereas all and both make plural and dual universal
reference (Both men were arrested).
Neither is used with singular verbs (Neither parents realized what was going on) and its
opposite is either. With either we only use a singular noun (Either room is ok). Finally, the

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comparatives much, more, most; little, less, least; and few, fewer, fewest where more refers to count
and noncount nouns, less only noncount, and fewer only count.
c. Quantifiers that function as determiner only. To this subclass belong every and no, as in
Everybody has its rights and He has no money and no prospects.

3. EXPRESSION OF QUANTITY: DETERMINERS

Determiner
FUNCTION

Pre-determiner

Central determiner

REALIZATION

all
both
double
half
twice
many (a)
such (a)
what (a)

definite article
indefinite article
demonstrative
pronouns
possessive pronouns
relative pronouns
genitive
another
any
each
either
enough
every
much
neither
no
some
what
which
whose

Post determiner
cardinal numbers
ordinal numbers
next, last
few, fewer, fewest
little, less, least
many, more, most
other
own
same
such

There are three classes of determiners regarding the expression of quantity, and therefore,
number. Thus, predeterminers, central determiners, and postdeterminers, since they co-occur with
the noun classes: singular count, plural count, and noncount nouns. Depending on the items they are
combined with, they will have different realizations, and some of the pronouns seen before will turn
into determiners. The function determiner marking number can be realized by a wide range of
items, such as the definite article, the indefinite article, possessive pronouns, demonstrative
pronouns, numerals, and certain indefinite pronouns marking number, which were considered to be
pronouns and determiners at the same time. These comprise words such as each, all/both, no and
the every compounds (count pronouns) and all /none (noncount).

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3.1. Predeterminers

Predeterminers form a class mutually exclusive, preceding those central determiners with
which they can co-occur. Two subsets can be distinguished: (1) all, both, half, and (2) the
multipliers. Regarding all, both, half, they have in common the positive characteristics of being able
to occur before the articles, the demonstratives, and the possessives (all/both/half the/these/our
students). However, they also have the negative characteristic of not occurring before determiners
that themselves entail quantification: every, each, (n)either, some, any, no, enough.
The items all and half occur with plural count and noncount nouns, as in all the books/all
the music and all books/all music, and half the book(s)/half the music. Note that half is the only one
that can be followed by the indefinite article or numerals since fractions other than half are usually
followed by an of-phrase article (She read a quarter of the book; half an hour). However, both
occurs with plural count nouns both books.
Secondly, regarding multipliers, we include the items once, twice, three times, expressions
of emphasis and costing. Therefore, the items double and twice can combine with both singular and
plural heads (all poetry; four times Peters salary; half this cheese; twice these sums). On the other
hand, expressions such as many, such and what, when realizing the predeterminer function, are
obligatory followed by the indefinite article (many a time, such a disgrace, what a pity).

3.2. Central determiners

Central determiners include the definite and indefinite articles as their commonest
determiners since their distribution is dependent upon the class of the accompanying noun (singular
or plural). In order to relate definiteness to number, we have the following system for count and
noncount nouns. First, beside the sole definite article the, we have two indefinite articles a and zero
marker, the former occurring with singular count nouns, its zero analogue with noncount and plural
count noun.
Second, there are several other determiners that can co-occur equally with singular count,
plural count, and noncount nouns: the demonstrative pronouns (this, that, these, those); the
possessive pronouns (my, our, your, his, her, its, their); the relative pronouns (which, what, whose);
specifying genitive (all Peters clothes).

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SINGULAR

Definite
Indefinite

PLURAL

Definite
Indefinite

COUNT

NON-COUNT

The book

The music

A book

Music

The books
Books (zero)

Other items include the negative determiner no (He has no car), the universal determiners
every and each (Well interview every/each student), the nonassertive/negative dual determiners
either and neither (Parking is not permitted on either side of the street), the general assertive
determiner some (I would like some bread), the general nonassertive determiner any (We havent
any bread), the quantitative determiner enough (We have enough bread), also, the quantitative much
(We have much bread).
The definite article, the demonstrative and possessive pronouns, and the genitive are alike
in that they can be preceded by the predeterminer items all, both, double, half and twice, and
followed by cardinal numbers, ordinal numbers and the words last and next. The indefinite article,
for instance, can be preceded by half, many, such and what. An exception in combinations is that of
every + a possessive (his (Johns, whose) every wish).

3.3. Postdeterminers

Postdeterminers take their place immediately after determiners. They include cardinal and
ordinal numbers, next, last; few, fewer, fewest; little, less, least; many, more, most; other, own,
same, such. Postdeterminers fall into two classes: ordinals (first, fourth, last, other) and quantifiers
(cardinal numbers, many, few, plenty of, a lot of). We should note a contrast involving few, a few, a
little, little, and also between assertive and nonassertive usage. For instance, some items are
predominantly assertive (plenty of, a few, a little, a good many), while others are predominantly
nonassertive (such as much, many): seven days, one more drink; the first two pages; the next few
years, the last two weeks; few other people, little more news; many more accidents; (many) other
problems, my own car.

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4. PARTITIVE CONSTRUCTIONS

Both count and noncount nouns can enter constructions denoting part of a whole. This
provides a means of imposing number on noncount nouns, since the partition is generally expressed
by a count noun of partitive meaning, such as piece or sort, which can be singular or plural,
followed by an of-phrase.
Here, we may include noncount means, plural count nouns concerning specific sets of
nouns, and singular count nouns. These are the expressions of precise measure ( a yard of cloth, two
kilos), and also of fractional partition (He ate a quarter of that beef).
Regarding noncount means, phrasal quantifiers provide a means of imposing countability
on noncount nouns as the following partitive expressions illustrate: general partitives, as in plenty
of, a lot of, lots of, a great/good deal of, a large/small quantity/amount of, a great/large/good
number of.
Other typical partitives can be used very generally when talking about noncount nouns,
referring to little bits of concerning measures, thus a pint of beer, a spoonful of medicine, a pound of
butter, a slice of cake/bread/meat, a roast of meat, a few loaves of bread, a bowl of soup, a bottle of
wine, a cup of coffee, a packet of sugar, a blade of grass, some specks of dust, and so on. Moreover,
general partitives may be included, as in two pieces/a bit/an item of news/information/furniture.
Regarding plural count nouns, we tend to have partitives relating to specific sets of nouns,
as in a flock of sheep/pigeons, two flocks of sheep; an army of ants; a company of actors; a crowd
of people; a series of concerts, two series of concerts; a pair of scissors.
As for singular count nouns, we find a piece of a leather belt, a page of a book, two pieces
of a broken cup, two acts of a play.

5. THE EXPRESSION OF QUANTITY: OTHER MEANS

Other means of expressing quantity may be drawn from the semantic choice of verb,
adverbial phrases, and certain idioms which may imply the notion of quantity. Thus, we may
increase or decrease the amount of the item implied in our speech by means of using different
verbal choices, as for instance, the contrast between rain vs. pour, run vs. rush, eat vs. gulp, hit vs.
smash, talk vs. whisper, and so on. Secondly, within adverbial phrases, we may increase or decrease
the notion of quantity by using certain adverbs in a sentence, such as the so-called frequency
adverbs. For instance, compare the sentences I always go swimming four times a week (100%
frequency) vs. I never go swimming (0% frequency). Thirdly, certain idiomatic expressions may

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imply a relevant difference in quantity, both concrete or abstract. For instance, compare Charles is
a bit stubborn vs. Charles is stubborn as a mule, She is very sensitive vs. She is cold as ice.

6. CONCLUSION

Although the questions How much? and How many? may appear simple and
straightforward, they imply a broad description of the means that make an appropriate answer
suitable for students and teachers.
It is a fact that students must handle the four levels in communicative competence in order
to be effectively and highly communicative in the classroom and in real life situations. The
expression of quantity proves highly frequent in our everyday speech, and consequently, we must
encourage our students to have a good managing of it.

7. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Greenbaum, S., Leech, G., Quirk, R., Svartvik, J., A Comprehensive Grammar of the English
Language. London: Longman, 1985.
Huddleston, R. and G.K. Pullum. The Cambridge Grammar of the English Language. C.U.P.,
2002.
Hymes, Del. On Communicative Competence. London: Penguin, 1972.
Leech, G and Svartvik, J. A Communicative Grammar of English. Singapore: Longman., 1986.
Swam, M. Practical English Usage. OUP, 1995.

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APPENDIX
Specific pronouns

Central

Personal (subject I, you-, object me,

him-, genitive their)
Reflexive (myself, yourself, himself,
ourselves, themselves)
Reciprocal (each other, one another)
Possessive (mine, yours, his, hers, ours,
theirs)

Relative

Who, which, that, whose

Interrogative

Who, whom, whose, which, what

Demonstrative

This, that, these, those

Universal

Each, all, every, and every compounds.

Partitive

Assertive (someone, something; some,

several)
Non-assertive
(anyone,
anybody,
anything, anywhere)
Negative (no one, nobody, nothing,
nowhere, neither)
As only pronouns
As pronouns and determiners (General
and enumerative:
many, much, few, little, one, some, etc.)
As only determiners

Indefinite pronouns

Quantifying

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