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I would like to start this topic by including a simple definition of the notion of
quantity. 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…? or How
many…?. Obviously, they both ask for a similar information, except for a specific
difference about “the exact amount of”, which can be definite (one, two…) or
indefinite (some, any…). Answers are drawn directly from different sources, such
as nouns (one book), pronouns (everybody), determiners (the, my, some, each),
partitive constructions (a glass of milk), etc.
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numbers with uncountable nouns and most are singular with no plural. We do not
usually use a/an with uncountable nouns, though there are some exceptions.
Some determiners can only be used with countable nouns and others can only be
used with uncountable nouns. However, some nouns have countable and
uncountable uses, often with a difference of meaning.
After seeing the difference between countable and uncountable nouns, let’s
see the difference between singular and plural, which can be considered as a way
in itself of expressing quantity. Singular relates to the quantity of ONE for count
nouns, to the unique referent for most proper nouns, and to undifferentiated
amount for non-count nouns. Plural, on the other hand, relates to the quantity of
MORE THAN ONE for count nouns, to the unique referent for some proper noun
(the Canaries=the Canary Islands), and to individual operational units that reflect
plural composition (scissors, stairs).
Let’s move to the second section, dealing with the expression of quantity
through numerals. The expression of quantity by means of numerals is given by
three sets:
Cardinal numbers (one, two, three…) give the exact amount of something
by means of whole numbers.
Ordinal numbers (first, second…) express the sequence order of items.
Fractions (one third)
Numerals can function as pronouns and as determiners.
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1. Universal pronouns: we have to consider the universal compound
indefinites (everybody, someone, nothing), where the suffixes –ONE and –
BODY are used for people, -THING for objects and -WHERE for places.
These words are used to express totality or lack of exception. All these
pronouns take singular verbs. However they have a collective reference and
usually entail a reference to a number of three or more.
EACH is used with count nouns. It can appear alone as a pronoun, but it is
common to find the expression EACH ONE.
Quantifiers like the compounds EVERY-, EACH and EVERY can be termed
distributive, because they pick out the members of a set singly rather than
considering them in the mass. It is for this reason that they are singular in
number.
ALL refers to quantities of more than two. BOTH refers to dual number.
Both the Queen and Prince Charles are trying to improve the country’s
image
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BOTH and ALL may be followed by a determiner, in which case it is optional
to insert the preposition OF (all of the children; both of their bothers).
Grammatically, when followed by OF, ALL and BOTH are pronouns.
However, when they are followed by a determiner they are predeterminers
(all the boys).
2. Partitive pronouns: within this group, we can distinguish three different
subclasses:
a) Assertive partitive indefinites: they express a positive but
uncertain number of identity. SOME is used for plural count and
noncount nouns. It may be a determiner or a pronoun. As a
determiner, SOME also occurs with singular count nouns, especially
temporal nouns. With other singular nouns, SOME is less usual and
has the meaning of “a certain” or “some… or other”
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Nobody in Britain would eat biscuits with their right hand, as it is
impolite
There is nothing British can do about London pollution
NONE and NEITHER are used for singular count nouns, and NONE
can also be used for plural count nouns and noncount nouns. They
can be followed by an of-partitive. NEITHER has a dual reference.
Britain has many pubs around the country but a few discos
British devote much time to gardening but a little time to housework
MUCH and MANY have acquired some non-assertive force, so they are
more often used with a negative or interrogative implication. In the affirmative,
there is a preference for other open-class quantifiers, such as A GREAT DEAL,
PLENTY OF, A LOT OF, ETC. Syntactically, these quantifiers consist of a noun of
quantity (lot, deal, amount…) followed by OF and often preceded by the indefinite
article.
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SEVERAL is always used with plural count nouns.
British children have several weeks off throughout the school year
In Britain there are not enough doctors to assist all of the population
There is no money enough to improve the education conditions
Here we also include the so called multipliers (once, twice, three times,
double…). They can combine with singular and plural heads.
Spanish people spend three times more money on eating out than British do
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In addition to these general partitives there are also some restricted typical
partitives which form expressions with specific concrete noncount nouns, such as:
AN ATOM / GRAIN OF TRUTH
A BLOCK OF ICE / FLATS / SEATS
A LUMP OF SUGAR / COAL / LEAD
A STICK OF CHALK / CANDY / DYNAMITE
A STRIP OF CLOTH / PAPER / CLOTH
A CROWD OF PEOPLE
A HERD OF CATTLE
A FLOCK OF BIRDS
A BUNCH OF FLOWERS
All in all, there are many different ways of expressing quantity through
different devices and semantic and syntactic choices. Within this topic I have
looked at the definition of quantity, the distinction between count and noncount
nouns and between singular and plural, the numeral, the indefinite pronouns,
quantifying pronouns and determiners and some partitive constructions.
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BIBLIOGRAPHY