Adjectives of Quantity & Adjectives of Number (Meaning, Rules, Types, Examples & Key Differences)

Introduction

Understanding the difference between Adjectives of Quantity and Adjectives of Number is one of the easiest ways to avoid common grammar mistakes. At Belekar Sir’s Academy, we believe English becomes simple when concepts are explained in a practical, real-life way  and this topic is a perfect example.

Whether you’re preparing for school exams, competitive exams, or just trying to speak and write better English, knowing when to use how much and how many instantly boosts your accuracy. This guide breaks the topic down in a clear, step-by-step manner so you can master it without confusion.

What Are Adjectives? (Simple Explanation)

Adjectives are words that describe or give more information about a noun (a person, place, thing, or idea).
They tell us what kind, how many, how much, which one, or whose.

Example:

  • She has two dogs. (two → adjective)
  • He bought some rice. (some → adjective)

Why Learning Adjectives of Quantity vs Adjectives of Number Matters?

Students often mix these two up because both answer something related to amount.
But they are not the same.

  • Adjectives of Quantity tell how much (not exact, used with uncountable nouns).
  • Adjectives of Number tell how many or the order/position (used with countable nouns).

Knowing the difference helps in:

  • Error-spotting questions (Bank, SSC, school exams love this pair).
  • Correct sentence formation (spoken + written English).
  • Avoiding common mistakes (many/much, few/little, each/every).

Random Adjective Generator

Transform any word into descriptive adjectives with examples

What Are Adjectives? (Quick Refresher for Students)

Definition

An adjective is a word that describes or modifies a noun or a pronoun.

Examples:

  • a beautiful flower
  • an old building
  • a golden ring

What Adjectives Modify

Adjectives can modify:

  • Nouns → a tall tree
  • Pronouns → She is happy

They give more details about qualities, quantity, number, size, shape, color, age, etc.

Position of Adjectives

Adjectives usually appear in two positions:

  1. Before a noun (most common)
    • a red apple
    • three large rooms
  2. After a linking verb (like is, am, are, seems, feels)
    • The weather is pleasant.
    • He seems confident.

Examples

  • The little puppy slept.
  • I saw many birds in the park.
  • She owns three cars.

If you’re exploring adjectives in depth, you’ll love the other vocabulary guides on Belekar Sir’s Academy. For example, you can check our list of adjectives to describe a friend or explore more specific topics such as positive adjectives for doctors and adjectives for teachers and schools. These articles help you build a stronger vocabulary and understand how different types of adjectives are used naturally in sentences.

Difference Between Adjectives & Adverbs (Super Simple)

  • Adjectives describe nouns/pronouns.
    • She is happy.
  • Adverbs describe verbs/adjectives/other adverbs.
    • She sings happily.

Examples:

  • ✔ He is a fast runner. (adjective → describes “runner”)
  • ✔ He runs fast. (adverb → describes “runs”)

Nouns Used as Adjectives (Brief Note)

Sometimes nouns act like adjectives to describe another noun.

Examples:

  • a chocolate cake
  • a gold medal
  • the school bus

Here, “chocolate,” “gold,” and “school” are nouns used as adjectives.

What Are Adjectives of Quantity?

Definition

Adjectives of Quantity are adjectives that tell how much of something is being talked about.
They show amount, quantity, or degree, but not the exact number.

Example:

  • I have some water.
  • She ate little food.

These adjectives are mostly used with uncountable nouns.

What They Show (“How Much” vs Exact Amount)

Adjectives of Quantity answer the question:
👉 “How much?” (not “how many?”)

They give a general idea, not an exact number.

Examples:

  • some rice → general amount
  • enough money → sufficient amount
  • a little sugar → small amount

They do NOT show:
✘ two rice
✘ five sugar

(Those would be Adjectives of Number.)

Random Adjective Generator

Transform any word into descriptive adjectives with examples

Common Adjectives of Quantity

A clear, student-friendly list:

  • some
  • any
  • much
  • little
  • a little
  • the little
  • enough
  • sufficient
  • whole
  • plenty of
  • a lot of
  • lots of
  • no / none of

Optional advanced ones (rare but good for ranking):

  • scanty
  • substantial

Usage Rules

Rule 1: Used with Uncountable Nouns

Adjectives of Quantity mostly describe uncountable nouns like:

  • water
  • sugar
  • rice
  • money
  • information

Examples:

  • There is little water left.
  • We have enough time.

Rule 2: They Show Uncertainty / Not Exact Amount

These adjectives give a general amount.

  • some help
  • plenty of food
  • a little hope

They do not tell the exact number.

Rule 3: They Can Carry Positive or Negative Meaning

  • Positive:
    a little, some, enough, plenty of
    • There is a little time left. (positive → some time is available)
  • Negative:
    little, hardly any, no
    • There is little hope left. (negative → almost none)

This is a high-value grammar insight competitors often skip.

Rule 4: Subject–Verb Agreement

Some quantity adjectives act like determiners and affect verb choice:

  • Little + singular verb
    Little time is left.
  • A lot of / plenty of → verb depends on the noun
    • Plenty of food is available. (uncountable)
    • Plenty of books are available. (countable – but still quantity)
  • No + verb agrees with the noun
    • No money is left.
    • No students are present.

Examples in Sentences

  • She has enough money to buy the book.
  • We need some help with this project.
  • There is little hope of rain today.
  • Add a little sugar to the tea.
  • There was no water in the bottle.
  • They had plenty of time to finish the test.

Comparative & Superlative Forms

Some quantity adjectives can be compared:

1. little → less → least

  • I have little interest.
  • She has less interest than me.
  • He has the least interest.

2. much → more → most

  • We need much information.
  • We need more information.
  • This is the most information we can get.

3. many → more → most

(Often treated as number but can show quantity in some contexts)

  • Many people agreed.
  • More people joined.
  • Most people stayed.

Common Mistakes Students Make (Important for Exams)

Mistake 1: Using “much” with countable nouns

❌ much apples
✔ many apples
✔ much money

Tip:
👉 Use much with uncountable nouns.

Mistake 2: Confusing “little,” “a little,” and “the little”

WordMeaningExample
littlealmost none (negative)There is little milk left.
a littlesome (positive)There is a little milk left.
the littlewhatever small amount existsUse the little money you have.

Once you’ve mastered the difference between Quantity and Number adjectives, try expanding your adjective collection through our detailed guides. Start with broad lists like adjectives starting with N, adjectives beginning with E, or adjectives starting from M. For more real-life usage, explore specific lists such as adjectives for father, adjectives for mom, or even adjectives for a fox. These resources make learning fun and practical.

What Are Adjectives of Number?

Definition

Adjectives of Number are adjectives that tell how many persons or things are meant, or what order they stand in.

They show:

  • Number
  • Order
  • Frequency (in some cases)

Example:

  • I have three pens.
  • She won the first prize.

These adjectives are used with countable nouns.

What They Show (“how many” / order / exact number)

Adjectives of Number answer the questions:

👉 How many?

  • two books
  • five chairs
  • several students

👉 Which order? (position)

  • first prize
  • second chapter

👉 Which one of the group? (distribution)

  • each boy, every student, either side

They show:

  • Exact numbers (two, ten, thirty)
  • Approximate numbers (many, several, few)
  • Order (first, second, last)
  • Distribution (each, every)

Types of Adjectives of Number

1. Definite Numeral Adjectives (Exact Number / Order)

These show the exact number or the exact position.

They include:

  • Cardinals: one, two, three, four…
  • Ordinals: first, second, third, fourth…

Examples:

  • two dogs
  • fifteen students
  • the third chapter

2. Indefinite Numeral Adjectives (Not Exact Number)

These show approximate or uncertain number.

Words include:

  • many
  • several
  • few
  • some
  • various
  • numerous

Examples:

  • many children
  • several reasons
  • few options

3. Distributive Numeral Adjectives (One by One)

These refer to persons/things one at a time.

Words include:

  • each
  • every
  • either
  • neither

Examples:

  • each student
  • every room
  • either option
  • neither answer

Examples for Each Type

A. Definite Numeral Adjectives

  • She has two sisters.
  • He read the first chapter.
  • We completed four tasks.

B. Indefinite Numeral Adjectives

  • There are many roads to success.
  • He made several attempts.
  • Only few people agreed.

C. Distributive Numeral Adjectives

  • Each student must submit the form.*
  • Every door was locked.*
  • You can choose either answer.
    • Neither statement is true.*

Usage Rules

Rule 1: Exact vs Vague Numbers

  • Definite → exact
    three apples, the second chance
  • Indefinite → vague
    many people, several ideas

Exam trick: If it shows exact number/order, it’s Adjective of Number.

Rule 2: Cardinal vs Ordinal

Cardinal numbers → show how many

  • one, two, three, ten, thirty

Ordinal numbers → show order

  • first, second, fifth, last

Example:

  • I finished third. (ordinal)
  • I solved three questions. (cardinal)

Rule 3: Distributive Usage

  • each → focuses on individuals in a group
  • every → focuses on the group as a whole
  • either → one of two
  • neither → none of the two

Examples:

  • Each boy received a prize.
  • Every student is present.
  • Either option works.
  • Neither idea is good.

This is a high-value exam point.

Common Student Mistakes

1. Confusing “Every” and “Each”

❌ Every of the boys came.
✔ Every boy came.

Use “each” when focusing on individuals:

  • Each player wore a number.

Use “every” when focusing on the whole group:

  • Every player performed well.

2. Using Ordinals Incorrectly

Students add “the” incorrectly.

✔ He is the first person.
✔ This is the second chapter.
❌ He is first person.
❌ This is second chapter.

Ordinal numbers usually require the before them.

3. Mixing Number vs Quantity

Big exam trap!

❌ much students
✔ many students

❌ three water bottles
✔ three bottles of water

Quick rule:

  • If it answers “HOW MANY?” → Adjective of Number
  • If it answers “HOW MUCH?” → Adjective of Quantity

If you want to strengthen your grammar foundation further, explore our related guides on Belekar Sir’s Academy. You can read about nouns used as adjectives, understand adverbs modifying adjectives, or build theme-based vocabulary with lists like adjectives for business, adjectives for work ethic, and adjectives for soccer. You can also explore alphabet-based collections such as adjectives that start with T, adjectives starting with G, and adjectives for letter W to keep expanding your vocabulary.

Random Adjective Generator

Transform any word into descriptive adjectives with examples

Adjectives of Quantity vs Adjectives of Number

Meaning Comparison

  • Adjectives of Quantity tell how much of something is present (general amount, no exact number).
  • Adjectives of Number tell how many or which order something is in (exact or approximate number).

Simple:
👉 Quantity = Amount
👉 Number = Count

When to Use Which

Use Adjectives of Quantity when:

  • The noun is uncountable
  • The amount is not exact
  • You are showing degree, extent, or general quantity

Examples:

  • some water
  • little time
  • enough money

Use Adjectives of Number when:

  • The noun is countable
  • You know the exact or approximate number
  • You want to show order or distribution

Examples:

  • three books
  • first prize
  • several reasons
  • each student

Key Differences (Point-Wise Explanation)

  1. Meaning
    • Quantity → shows amount
    • Number → shows count
  2. Used With
    • Quantity → uncountable nouns
    • Number → countable nouns
  3. Exactness
    • Quantity → not exact
    • Number → can be exact or vague
  4. Types
    • Quantity → little, some, enough
    • Number → definite, indefinite, distributive
  5. Questions Answered
    • Quantity → “How much?”
    • Number → “How many?” / “Which order?”
  6. Function in Sentence
    • Quantity → expresses sufficiency, shortage, uncertainty
    • Number → expresses number, sequence, distribution
  7. Examples
    • Quantity → little sugar, some hope
    • Number → five cars, second chance, several mistakes
  8. Exam Trick
    • If it shows order (first, second), it is ALWAYS Number, not Quantity.

Master Comparison Table (Better Than Competitors)

FeatureAdjective of QuantityAdjective of Number
What It ShowsAmount / degree / how muchCount / how many / order
ExactnessNever exactCan be exact (two) or vague (many)
Used WithUncountable nounsCountable nouns
TypesNo fixed types (general amount words)Definite, Indefinite, Distributive
Question AnsweredHow much?How many? / Which one?
Examplessome, much, little, enoughtwo, several, each, first
Order Included?NoYes (first, second, last)
Distribution Included?NoYes (each, every, either, neither)
Typical PurposeShows sufficiency/insufficiencyShows count/order/selection
Exam Confusionmuch/little vs many/feweach/every, ordinal usage

Quick Reference List (Unique Addition)

Adjectives of Quantity (Quick List)

  • some
  • any
  • much
  • little
  • a little
  • the little
  • enough
  • plenty of
  • a lot of
  • no

Adjectives of Number (Quick List)

Definite: one, two, three, first, second
Indefinite: many, several, few, some
Distributive: each, every, either, neither

How to Identify Them in Sentences (Step-by-Step Method)

Step 1: Find the Noun

Look at the noun the adjective is describing.
Example: three books → noun = books

Step 2: Ask “How much?” or “How many?”

  • If the answer is how much → Quantity
  • If the answer is how many → Number

Step 3: Check Countability

  • Uncountable → Quantity
  • Countable → Number

Step 4: Check for Exact Number / Order

  • Exact number → Number
  • Order (first, second) → Number
  • General amount → Quantity

Solved Examples (Unique Extra Value)

1. She has little patience.

  • patience = uncountable → Quantity

2. I bought three apples.

  • three = exact number → Number (Definite)

3. Several students complained.

  • several = vague number → Number (Indefinite)

4. There is no water left.

  • water = uncountable → Quantity

5. He reached the first checkpoint.

  • first = order → Number (Definite – Ordinal)

6. We have enough time.

  • time = uncountable → Quantity

7. Each player got a medal.

  • each = distribution → Number (Distributive)

8. Few options are available.

  • options = countable → Number (Indefinite)

9. She put a little sugar in the coffee.

  • sugar = uncountable → Quantity

10. He visited the city twice this month.

  • twice = number of times → Number

Common Confusions (Strong Section Competitors Lack!)

Few vs A Few vs The Few

TermMeaningToneExample
FewAlmost noneNegativeFew students understood the topic. (Very small number → problem)
A FewSome, not many, but enoughPositiveA few students submitted the assignment. (Enough to matter)
The FewThe small number that existsSpecific groupShe helped the few friends she had.

Exam Trick:
If the meaning is barely any, use few.
If the meaning is some and okay, use a few.

Little vs A Little vs The Little

TermMeaningToneExample
LittleAlmost no amountNegativeLittle hope remains.
A LittleSome, but not muchPositiveA little milk is left.
The LittleThe small amount that existsSpecificUse the little money we have.

Exam Trick:
“Little” = problem
“A little” = possibility
“The little” = “whatever exists”

Much vs Many

WordUsed WithMeaningExample
MuchUncountable nounsLarge amountThere isn’t much water left.
ManyCountable nounsLarge numberMany students joined the class.

Exam Trap:
❌ Much people were waiting.
✔️ Many people were waiting.

Some vs Any

WordUsageExample
SomePositive sentences, polite offersI need some help. / Would you like some tea?
AnyNegative sentences, questionsI don’t have any money. / Do you have any doubts?

Exam Trick:
In polite offers → always “some”, never “any”.

Each vs Every

WordMeaningExample
EachIndividual focusEach student received a badge.
EveryGroup focus, generalEvery student must submit homework.

Exam Trap:
“Each” can be used for two or more,
“Every” can be used for three or more.

Either vs Neither

WordMeaningExample
EitherOne of the two (positive)Either book will help you.
NeitherNone of the two (negative)Neither answer is correct.

Exam Trick:
“Neither…nor” takes a singular verb.
✔️ Neither Ram nor Shyam is guilty.

Several vs Many vs Numerous

WordMeaningIntensityExample
SeveralMore than a few but not manyMediumSeveral errors were found.
ManyA large numberStrongMany students passed.
NumerousVery large + formalStrongestThe report contains numerous examples.

Exam Insight:
Competitive exams love replacing “many” with “numerous” in error spotting.

Advanced Tips / Scoring Tricks for School & Competitive Exams

1. Difference Spotting Tricks

  • If it answers how much → quantity,
  • If it answers how many → number
  • If it gives a specific number/order → number,
  • If it’s vague amount → quantity.

2. How Exam Sentences Are Framed

Exams love:

  • contradictions (much people, many water, each of the students were…)
  • quantity adjectives used with countable nouns
  • number adjectives used with uncountable nouns

3. Hack for Identifying Distributives

Look for words showing distribution one by one:
✔️ each, every, either, neither
If the sentence talks about individuals in a group → distributive adjective.

4. Where SSC/Bank Exams Trap Students

Common traps:

  • “neither/nor” + plural verb
  • using “each” after plural nouns (they each are → correct but tricky)
  • “every” cannot join plural nouns (every boys ❌)
  • mixing quantifiers with numbers (two many ❌)

5. 5-Second Elimination Strategy

Use this quick hack:

  1. Spot the noun (countable or uncountable?)
  2. If countable → many / several / few
  3. If uncountable → much / little
  4. If exact number/order → adjective of number
  5. If vague → adjective of quantity

Boom  your answer is locked.

Quick Revision Charts (Student-Friendly Add-On)

9.1 One-Page Summary Chart

Adjectives of Quantity vs Number (At a Glance)

FeatureAdjectives of QuantityAdjectives of Number
What they showAmount / how muchNumber / how many / order
Used withUncountable nounsCountable nouns
ExactnessNot exactExact OR vague number
Key question“How much?”“How many?”
Examplesmuch, little, some, enoughone, several, first, many
SubtypesDefinite, indefinite, distributive
Used in exams forUncertain amountsOrdering, counting

Color-Coded Cheat Sheet (Text Version)

Imagine these as colors:

🟦 QUANTITY = Uncountable + Amount

  • much
  • little / a little / the little
  • some
  • enough
  • plenty of

🟩 NUMBER = Countable + Count

  • one, two, three
  • first, second
  • many
  • several
  • each, every, either, neither

🟧 Easy Rule:
If you can count → Number
If you can measure → Quantity

Mnemonics to Remember Differences

Mnemonic 1: “CUP + CAN”

  • CUP → Uncountable = Quantity
  • CAN → Countable = Number

Mnemonic 2: “M-M Trick”

  • Much → Measurement
  • Many → Numbers

Mnemonic 3: “Oreo Rule”

If it shows Order (first, second) → Number adjective → think of stacking Oreos in order.

Practice Exercises (The Section Competitors Miss 😎)

Identify the Adjective Type (20 Questions)

State Quantity or Number.

  1. She has many friends.
  2. We have little water left.
  3. Each student must sign.
  4. I bought three notebooks.
  5. There is enough food.
  6. Several issues were reported.
  7. There isn’t much sugar.
  8. Every child was smiling.
  9. He waited for a little time.
  10. I saw two birds.
  11. Either option works.
  12. She served some juice.
  13. He has the few coins he saved.
  14. She owns numerous books.
  15. They found the little evidence needed.
  16. We had a few ideas.
  17. Neither answer is correct.
  18. First prize goes to Riya.
  19. We faced much difficulty.
  20. He has several cousins.

Fill in the Blanks (15 Questions)

Use: much, many, few, a few, little, a little, some, any, each, every.

  1. There are ______ mistakes in your notebook.
  2. She has ______ interest in politics.
  3. I need ______ help with this project.
  4. We don’t have ______ time left.
  5. He made ______ attempts to improve.
  6. ______ student must submit ID proof.
  7. I met ______ friends at the event.
  8. Do you have ______ questions?
  9. She added ______ sugar to the tea.
  10. The teacher checked ______ assignment carefully.
  11. Only ______ options were available.
  12. I have ______ confidence in you.
  13. There are ______ apples in the basket.
  14. There is ______ hope of recovery.
  15. ______ of the two candidates was selected.

Error Spotting (10 Questions)

Find the mistake.

  1. There are much students waiting outside.
  2. She has little books on the shelf.
  3. Each of the players are ready.
  4. He spent many money on shopping.
  5. She solved the little questions she had.
  6. Neither of the two answers are correct.
  7. We have few rice left for dinner.
  8. He visited the site several times yesterday.
  9. Every boys must participate.
  10. They found a few information.

MCQs (Bank/SSC Style)

1. Choose the correct option:
There is ______ traffic on the highway today.
a) many
b) much
c) several
d) few

2. Identify the adjective type in bold:
We have several options.
a) Quantity
b) Number – indefinite
c) Number – distributive
d) Not an adjective

3. Correct sentence:
a) She has many work to finish.
b) She has much works to finish.
c) She has much work to finish.
d) She has many work to finishes.

4. “Neither of the boys ____ guilty.”
a) are
b) were
c) is
d) have

5. Choose the correct replacement:
He made little attempts to reach out.
a) a little
b) few
c) a few
d) several

ANSWER KEY

Identify the Type

1 N
2 Q
3 N (distributive)
4 N
5 Q
6 N
7 Q
8 N
9 Q
10 N
11 N (distributive)
12 Q
13 N
14 N
15 Q
16 N
17 N
18 N
19 Q
20 N

Fill in the Blanks

1 many
2 little
3 some
4 little
5 many
6 Every
7 a few
8 any
9 a little
10 each
11 few
12 a little
13 many
14 little
15 Either

Error Spotting  Corrections

1 many students
2 few books
3 Each… is ready
4 much money
5 correct usage depends on meaning; but likely wrong in exam → “the few” questions
6 Neither… is correct
7 little rice
8 correct
9 every boy
10 a little information

MCQs

1 b
2 b
3 c
4 c
5 c

Conclusion

See? The moment you separate how much from how many, half the confusion disappears. That’s exactly how we like to teach at Belekar Sir’s Academy: simple logic, strong foundation, and lots of real examples.

If you keep revising the charts, examples, and practice questions, you’ll start spotting these adjectives automatically. And once that happens, grammar questions in school tests or competitive exams become scoring opportunities.

Keep practising  you’ve got this!

Adjectives of Quantity and Adjectives of Number seem tiny, but they completely change the meaning of a sentence. Once you get the hang of “how much” vs “how many”, English grammar, especially error-spotting, fill-in-the-blanks, and descriptive writing  becomes way easier.

Understanding both types helps students:

  • write clearer, more accurate sentences
  • avoid common exam traps
  • score extra marks in grammar and comprehension sections
  • improve spoken English by choosing the right word automatically

In short: if you can tell the amount vs number, you can crack almost every grammar question related to adjectives.

FAQs (SEO-Friendly + Better Than Competitors)

1. What is an adjective of quantity?

Adjectives of quantity show how much of something there is.
They are used with uncountable nouns.
Examples: much, little, some, enough, a little, the little

2. What is an adjective of number?

Adjectives of numbers show how many or in what order people/things stand.
They are used with countable nouns.
Examples: one, three, many, several, first, each, every

3. Can I use them interchangeably?

Not swapping them changes the meaning and often becomes grammatically wrong.
Example:
❌ much apples (incorrect  countable)
❌ many water (incorrect  uncountable)

4. What is the easiest way to identify them?

Use this quick test:

  1. Find the noun.
  2. If the noun is countable → Adjective of Number
  3. If the noun is uncountable → Adjective of Quantity
  4. If it shows order → Adjective of Number
  5. If it shows amount without exactness → Quantity

Works 99% of the time.

5. What are distributive numeral adjectives?

These adjectives refer to individual members of a group.
Examples: each, every, either, neither
Used in exams for spotting subject-verb agreement errors.

6. Can “some” be quantity or number?

Yes!

  • With uncountable nouns → Quantity (some water)
  • With countable nouns → Number (some books)

This dual nature often appears in exam questions.

7. Are “many” and “much” adjectives or determiners?

They function as both, depending on the sentence structure.
For school-level grammar, they are treated as adjectives modifying nouns.
In advanced grammar, they’re classified as determiners.

Either way, their use doesn’t change.

8. Why are these adjectives important for exams?

Because examiners love testing:

  • countable vs uncountable concepts
  • confusing pairs (few/a few, little/a little)
  • subject-verb agreement with distributives
  • spotting wrong adjective usage

They appear in:
SSC, Bank, NRA CET, CBSE, ICSE, State Board grammar, and spoken English sections.

9. What are the most common errors students make?

The top mistakes:

  • Using much with countable nouns
  • Using many with uncountable nouns
  • Mixing few vs a few
  • Mixing little vs a little
  • Using each/every with plural nouns
  • Confusing order adjectives (ex: second vs two)
  • Writing neither/either are (should be is)

Once students understand countability + meaning, these mistakes disappear.

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