How to Identify Adjectives of Quantity and Number in Sentences
Adjectives of number and quantity are key parts of English grammar. They help express "how many" or "how much" about nouns when writing or speaking. Knowing their difference helps students write accurate answers in school exams, improve spoken English, and succeed in competitive tests.
| Feature | Adjective of Quantity | Adjective of Number |
|---|---|---|
| What it shows | Approximate amount | Exact count or order |
| Used with | Uncountable nouns | Countable nouns |
| Main examples | Some, much, little, enough | Two, three, first, each, few |
| Example sentence | She ate some rice. | He saw three birds. |
Difference Between Adjective of Quantity and Adjective of Number
The main difference is that adjectives of quantity answer "how much" and are used with uncountable nouns, while adjectives of number answer "how many" or "in what order" and are used with countable nouns. This distinction is crucial for grammatical accuracy in essays and exams.
What Are Adjectives?
Adjectives describe or limit nouns and pronouns. They provide information about quality, quantity, number, size, color, and more. Understanding different types of adjectives improves both writing and speaking skills.
- Adjective of Quality
- Adjective of Quantity
- Adjective of Number
- Demonstrative Adjective
- Interrogative Adjective
- Possessive Adjective
Adjective of Quantity: Definition, Usage, and Examples
An adjective of quantity shows an indefinite or approximate amount of something. It answers "how much" and is used with uncountable nouns, such as "water," "rice," or "honesty." Words like "some," "much," "little," and "enough" are common examples.
| Adjective of Quantity | Example Sentence |
|---|---|
| some | She drank some milk. |
| much | There isn’t much time. |
| little | He showed little interest. |
| enough | We have enough sugar. |
| plenty of | There is plenty of sunlight today. |
| all | I have all the information. |
| no | No milk is left in the jug. |
| most | Most water is polluted. |
| little | There is little hope. |
| enough | We don’t have enough patience. |
Adjective of Number: Definition, Types, and Examples
An adjective of number shows the exact count, frequency, or position of a noun. It answers "how many" or "which one in order." This adjective only comes before countable nouns, such as "books," "apples," or "days."
Types of Adjectives of Number
- Definite Numeral Adjective: States exact number or order (one, two, first, second).
- Indefinite Numeral Adjective: Shows an uncertain number (many, few, several, some, any, none).
- Distributive Numeral Adjective: Refers to each one of a group (each, every, either, neither).
| Type | Example | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Definite (Exact) | three | I have three pens. |
| Definite (Order) | first | Riya won first prize. |
| Indefinite | many | Many students passed. |
| Distributive | each | Each child received a gift. |
| Indefinite | several | Several books are missing. |
Quick Reference: List of Common Words and Examples
| Adjectives of Quantity | Example Sentence | Adjectives of Number | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| some | He needs some advice. | two | I have two pencils. |
| much | There isn’t much oil. | first | She was the first to arrive. |
| little | There is little hope left. | five | Five guests are coming. |
| enough | He did not get enough sleep. | each | Each boy got a medal. |
| plenty of | We have plenty of food. | several | Several apples were eaten. |
Tips to Remember the Difference
- If you can count the noun, use adjective of number. If you can't, use adjective of quantity.
- Ask "how much?" for uncountable; ask "how many?" for countable.
- Words like "some" and "any" can be tricky. Check if the noun is countable or not.
- Remember: Many, few = number; much, little = quantity.
Practice: Identify the Type (Adjective of Quantity or Number)
| Sentence | Adjective Type |
|---|---|
| She has enough money. | Quantity |
| There are four chairs. | Number |
| He drank little water. | Quantity |
| Many children play outside. | Number |
| Every student must attend. | Number (Distributive) |
| We have some rice. | Quantity |
Further Learning and Useful Links
- Kinds of Adjectives
- Types of Adjectives
- Adjectives – Comparative
- Adjective Exercise Worksheet
- Determiners in English Grammar
- Order of Adjectives in Sentences
Understanding the difference between adjectives of number and quantity will help you compose grammatically correct sentences in your exams and daily communication. At Vedantu, we provide easy explanations and practice to improve your English grammar for all purposes. Remember: "how many" is number, "how much" is quantity.
FAQs on Adjective of Quantity vs Adjective of Number: Definitions, Examples & Exam Guide
1. What is the difference between adjective of quantity and adjective of number in English?
The key difference between adjectives of quantity and adjectives of number lies in their function: adjectives of quantity express an approximate amount, while adjectives of number specify an exact count. Adjectives of quantity modify uncountable nouns (e.g., some water, much sugar), while adjectives of number modify countable nouns (e.g., two apples, five books). This distinction is crucial for accurate grammar in English writing and exams.
2. Can you give 5 examples of adjectives of quantity?
Here are five examples of adjectives of quantity, all modifying uncountable nouns: some milk, much effort, little patience, enough time, sufficient information. Remember that these describe approximate amounts, not exact numbers.
3. When do we use an adjective of number?
Use adjectives of number when you need to specify the exact count or order of countable nouns. They indicate precise quantities, unlike adjectives of quantity. For example: two cars, five students, the first answer, several chapters. These words precisely quantify.
4. Is 'many' an adjective of quantity or number?
Many is an adjective of quantity. Although it refers to a large number, it doesn't give a precise count. It modifies plural countable nouns, indicating a considerable but unspecified amount (e.g., many books, many problems).
5. What type of nouns do adjectives of quantity modify?
Adjectives of quantity modify uncountable nouns, which represent things that cannot be counted individually (e.g., water, sugar, time, information). They describe the amount of these nouns, but not the precise number of units.
6. What is the adjective of quantity and number with example sentences?
Adjectives of quantity describe approximate amounts of uncountable nouns (e.g., much rain, little help, some bread). Adjectives of number specify the exact number or order of countable nouns (e.g., two dogs, five houses, the third attempt). Understanding this difference is key for clear and accurate writing.
7. What are the adjectives of quality and number?
Adjectives of quality describe the characteristics or qualities of nouns (e.g., beautiful flower, intelligent student, old car). Adjectives of number specify the exact number or order of countable nouns (e.g., three books, the first page, several attempts). They represent distinct grammatical categories.
8. What is the difference between quantity and number?
Quantity refers to an amount that is not precisely counted (e.g., much, little, some). Number refers to an exact count (e.g., one, two, many). This core difference is reflected in the adjectives that modify nouns.
9. Is some an adjective of quantity or number?
Some is primarily an adjective of quantity. It indicates an unspecified but existing amount of an uncountable noun (e.g., some water, some sugar) or a small, unspecified number of countable nouns (e.g., some apples).
10. What is the difference between a quantitative adjective and an indefinite numeral adjective?
A quantitative adjective (adjective of quantity) describes an approximate amount (e.g., much, little, sufficient). An indefinite numeral adjective (a type of adjective of number) refers to an unspecified number (e.g., several, many, few). While related, quantitative adjectives handle uncountable nouns, while indefinite numeral adjectives address countable ones.
11. When to use adjectives of quantity?
Use adjectives of quantity when dealing with uncountable nouns or when you need to express an approximate amount rather than a precise number. Examples include using 'much', 'little', 'some', 'enough' with nouns like 'water', 'time', or 'information'.
