Grammar: Quantifiers for Uncountable Nouns
A2 Lesson 18: Using 'much', 'a little', & 'a lot of'
Talking About Amounts
Today, we will learn the special quantifiers we use for uncountable nouns. These are nouns for things we cannot count, like water, rice, time, and money.
The Grammar Rule 📖
How to Use Quantifiers for Uncountable Nouns
| Quantifier | Amount | Used In | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| much | Large | Questions (?) Negative (-) |
Do you have much homework? I don't have much time. |
| a lot of | Large | Positive (+) | I have a lot of work to do. |
| a little | Small | Positive (+) | I speak a little Khmer. |
| a bit of | Small | Positive (+) (Spoken English) | I need a bit of help. |
In Conversation
Let's see how these words are used when planning for a party.
Dara: Do we have much rice for the party tonight?
Sophea: No, there isn't much rice left. But we have a lot of noodles!
Dara: Okay, good. I need a little sugar for the sauce.
Sophea: It's on the shelf. Can I get a bit of help with these plates?
Dara: Of course!
Practice Your Grammar 🎯
Exercise: Choose the Correct Quantifier
Choose the best quantifier to complete the sentences.
- I am very busy. I have ___ work to do.
→ a lot of - Do you have ___ money with you?
→ much - The soup needs ___ salt.
→ a little - I don't have ___ information about the new hotel.
→ much - I have ___ free time this evening if you need to talk.
→ a bit of
Your Grammar Mission ⭐
Describe Your Day
Write three sentences about your day or week using the quantifiers you learned today.
Example: I don't have much free time today. I need a little information online. I will drink a lot of water because it is hot.
Key Vocabulary
- Quantifier A word that goes before a noun to express its quantity or amount.
- Uncountable Noun A noun for something that cannot be counted with numbers (e.g., water, rice).