Quantifying with adjectives

Techniques > Use of language > Parts of speech > Using adjectives > Quantifying with adjectives

Method | Example | Discussion | See also

Method

Use adjectives of quantity to describe and emphasize amounts of the noun. Adjectives of quantity include each, every, any, some, no, more, many, either, neither, few, several, both, enough, half, all.

Use these to make something seem big or small, plentiful or scarce. Use it to highlight a limited choice that the other person has.

Example

Do you have enough happiness. I can offer you more.

This is the only house of this type available here.

Would you like to have either the red one or the blue one.

There are many ways you can join us.

Discussion

Adjectives of quantity allow you to control the number or quantity of items being discussed. As adjectives are not the subject, they are less noticeable and hence more subtle.

Adjectives of quantity can be used to guide choice, showing how many items are available. Typically, this is only a few, thus invoking the scarcity principle.

Adjective quantifiers are also known as determiners.