Study Resource: When is an English quantifier not a determiner?

In our post on quantifiers in English, we saw that quantifying adjectivesNo definition set for adjectivesLorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. can all be used as English determiners.

• ❌ the some people→ determiners do not follow determiners

• ❌ The people are some.→ determiners do not follow be

However, there are a few quantifiers that can also be adjectives used as adjectives in certain circumstances. Let’s have a look:

• Quantifying adjectives that can follow another determiner

  The words many, few, several, abundant, sparse and numerous can be used after another determiner. This is fairly uncommon, it is mostly done in writing, and it can sound poetic:

  • determinerquantifying adjective

    My dislike of music is just one of the many reasons I don’t go dancing.

    I’ve invited all of my few friends to my wedding.

    Paula’s several children have each prepared a song.

    He was convicted due to the abundant evidence against him.

    I was disappointed by the sparse company at the party.

    The play’s numerous attendees all stood and clapped at the end of the show.

• Quantifying adjectives that can follow a linking verb (e.g. be)

  The words sufficient, insufficient, enough, abundant, sparse, numerous, many, and few can all follow a linking verb like be. Here are some tips on how to use these words:

  • We usually use enough after a linking verb when one of something is sufficient, but otherwise we use enough before the noun.

    • linking verbnoun

      One present is enough.

      That is ENOUGH!

      There are enough presents here already.

      There is enough soup in the pot.

  • There is no real difference between using sufficient and insufficient before a noun or after a linking verb. It’s just a matter of preference.

    • linking verbnoun phrase

      The number of chairs was sufficient / insufficient.

      There was a sufficient / insufficient number of chairs.

    The words abundant and sparse are similar:

    • linking verbnoun phrase

      Deer are abundant / sparse in this region.

      There are abundant / sparse deer in this region

  • The words numerous, many, and few usually only follow be in poetic writing.

    • linking verbnoun phrase

      There are numerous / many / few reasons to learn English.

      → common

      The reasons to learn English are numerous / many / few.

      → poetic