Grammar Spotlight

A1 learners can use a limited range of quantifying determiners with plural nouns (some, lots of, a lot of and numbers). Although some, a lot of and lots of can be used with uncountable nouns as well, there is limited evidence of successful use with uncountable nouns at the A1 level.

   Near my home there are some shops. (Skills for Life: Entry 1; Portuguese)

   My house has got three rooms. (Skills for Life: Entry 1; Polish)

   I had a lot of friends in this town. (Skills for Life: Entry 1; Pashto)

Learners at the A1 level can also use a limited range of quantifying determiners (a, every) with singular nouns. Although there is evidence of the use of one at the A1 level, it is mainly used in error instead of a or an, (which proves to be an error in learner work through to the C2 level).

   In my home are three bedrooms. I have a big kitchen and small toilet. (Skills for Life: Entry 1; Polish)

   The first floor has two bedrooms and a big bathroom with a bath. (Skills for Life: Entry 1; Romanian)

   I go to India every year to see my friends and family. (Skills for Life: Entry 1; Panjabi)

Once the A2 level is achieved, learners are able to use an increasing range of quantifying determiners (all, both, a few) with plural nouns.

   This notice is for all students: we are going to have a concert at school. (Cambridge English: Key; Spanish - European)

   It was exciting as both teams played well, but India won the match. (Cambridge English: Key; Hindi)

   I’m just writing to say hello, and to tell you a few things. (Cambridge English: Key; Spanish - Latin American)

Learners at the A2 level can also use an increasing range of quantifying determiners (each, an, one and numbers) with singular nouns. Notably, the use of an as an indefinite article appears at A1 level, yet it is only used with a numeric reference at A2.

   The new art class starts next Monday and each class is about 1 hour long. (Cambridge English: Key; Chinese)

   Yesterday I bought three t-shirts: one blue t-shirt, one pink t-shirt and one yellow t-shirt. (Cambridge English: Key; Spain; Spanish - European)

   We have an extra ticket and want you to come. (Cambridge English: Key; Hindi)

A range quantifying determiners (some, any, no, more, a lot of) is used at the A2 level with both plural and uncountable nouns.

   The weather was great. There were no clouds. (Cambridge English: Key for Schools; Japanese)

   I think we should bring some water to drink. (Cambridge English: Key; Turkish)

   I want to see that film but I have no time today because I have more work at home. (Cambridge English: Key; Tamil)

When uncountable nouns appear in negative contexts, learners are able to use much.

   But we didn’t have much money, so we didn’t buy many things. (Cambridge English: Key for Schools; Vietnamese)

   I want to sell the television because I haven’t got much time to watch it. (Cambridge English: Key; French)

   They didn’t cost much, about £500. (Cambridge English: Key; Panjabi)

They can use many with plural nouns in negative contexts.

   It’s not hard work because there aren’t many clients. (Cambridge English: Key; Spanish - European)

   I bought them because it’s summer, and I didn’t have many summer clothes. (Cambridge English: Key; Spanish - European)

   There weren’t many people, only my friends. (Cambridge English: Key; Portuguese-Brazil)

So many and too many are used by learners with plural nouns.

   We played so many games, like dog and bone, four corners, and many more. (Cambridge English: Key; Gujarati)

   We visited so many places, mostly monuments. The weather was perfect. (Cambridge English: Key for Schools; Tagalog)

   I know, I bought too many things but I liked all of them. (Cambridge English: Key; Turkish)

Finally, A2 level learners can use a range of quantifying determiners + of + determiner (all of, some of, both of, many of, any of, number + of, each of).

   I spent all of my money! (Cambridge English: Key; Turkish)

   The competition was very tough because both of the teams were good. (Cambridge English: Key; Bengali)

   Many of my relatives and friends had come. (Cambridge English: Key; Tamil)

So, it is at the A1 level that learners are able to use some quantifying determiners with singular and plural nouns, and at A2 learners are able to use quantifying determiners with uncountable nouns. The A2 level also sees learners expanding the context in which quantifying determiners are used to include questions, negative statements and in the structure quantifying determiners + of + determiner. Although the range of quantifying determiners used by learners expands at the A2 level, it remains quite limited until the B2 level is achieved.