Other Quantifiers
B1 · IntermediateDeterminers & QuantifiersThese quantifiers add nuance to amounts: most for a general majority, several for a handful, plenty of for more than enough, and a number of for 'several' — each with its own small rule.
What you'll learn
- Most + noun: a general statement; Most of + the/us/them: a specific group
- Several: quite a few, more than two — countable nouns only
- Plenty of: more than enough — works with both countable and uncountable nouns
- A number of + plural noun + plural verb ('several'); The number of + singular verb (the count itself)
The core idea
Beyond some, any, much, and many, English has a handful of other common quantifiers that add precision: most, several, plenty of, and a number of. Each has its own small grammar rule worth learning on its own.
Most vs. most of
Use most (no 'of') to make a general statement about people or things in general. Use most of when you're talking about a specific, defined group — usually followed by the, this/these, or a pronoun like us or them.
"Most people prefer tea to coffee." — a general statement, no 'of.'
"Most of the students in my class speak two languages." — a specific group: the students in my class.
Several: quite a few
Several means an unspecified but fairly small number — more than two or three, but not a lot. It's only used with countable nouns.
"I've invited several friends to the party." — an unspecified handful of friends.
"She has read several books on the subject." — more than a couple, but not many.
Plenty of: more than enough
Plenty of means 'more than enough' — a comfortable, ample amount. It works with both countable and uncountable nouns.
"There's plenty of time before the movie starts." — plenty of + uncountable noun.
"We have plenty of chairs for everyone." — plenty of + countable noun.
A number of vs. the number of
A number of means 'several' and takes a plural verb, because you're really counting the items themselves. The number of refers to the count as a single thing, so it takes a singular verb.
"A number of employees have complained about the new policy." — several employees; plural verb have.
"The number of employees is increasing every year." — the count itself; singular verb is.
Real English
Watch out
For a general statement (not a specific defined group), use most alone, without of.
Before the, this/these, or a pronoun (us, them), most needs of.
A number of means 'several,' so it takes a plural verb — the opposite of the number of, which takes a singular verb.
The number of refers to the count itself as one thing, so it takes a singular verb.
Real life — Planning a party
"Do we have enough snacks? How many people are coming?"
"Most of my friends said yes, so probably around twenty."
"Okay, I already bought plenty of drinks, so we should be fine there."
"Good — I invited several people from work too, just in case."
Practice
Exercise 1 · Choose the correct word
___ people prefer tea to coffee.
Exercise 2 · Choose the correct word
___ the students in my class speak two languages.
Exercise 3 · Choose the correct word
I've invited ___ friends to the party.
Exercise 4 · Choose the correct word
There's ___ time before the movie starts — no need to rush.
Exercise 5 · Choose the correct word
A number of employees ___ complained about the new policy.
Exercise 6 · Choose the correct word
The number of employees ___ increasing every year.
Exercise 7 · Choose the correct word
We have ___ milk left — enough for a week.
Exercise 8 · Complete the sentence
Complete: ___ of the answers were wrong. (one word, meaning 'the majority,' talking about a specific group)
Exercise 9 · Complete the sentence
Complete: A ___ of students missed the bus this morning. (one word, meaning 'several')
Exercise 10 · Build the sentence
Exercise 11 · Fix the mistake
Fix the mistake:
Quick challenge
Five quick questions to check what stuck.
Question 1 / 5
Score: 0/0
___ students in this school study French.
You learned
- Most for a general statement; most of + the/us/them for a specific group.
- Several: an unspecified small number, countable nouns only.
- Plenty of: more than enough, with countable or uncountable nouns.
- A number of + plural verb (means 'several'); the number of + singular verb (the count itself).
- Watch verb agreement — it's the detail that trips learners up most with these quantifiers.
Related grammar lessons
Other, Another & Others
Learn another (one more, one word), other (before a noun), and others (standing alone) — plus the specific 'the other(s)' for what's left in a set.
No, None & None of
Learn the difference between no (before a noun), none (standing alone), and none of (with a specific group) — plus why English never doubles a negative.
Enough
Learn how to use enough with nouns, adjectives, and adverbs — and the one word-order rule that trips up almost every learner.
Both, Either & Neither
Learn both, either and neither for talking about two things — both for the two together, either for one of the two, and neither for not one nor the other.