Extension Exercises

Index | Chapter 5 - Quantifiers | Possible Answers

Exploring English

Either:

• take a newspaper, a chapter from a book or a 15-20 minute stretch of someone speaking (the task will be considerably easier if a recording is used as you can stop this when you want) and scan the text for any use of quantifiers.

Or:

• obtain examples of a selection of quantifiers in context. (You may be able to do this through the Internet, or you may have access to a concordancing programme.)

Make a list of the words and the contexts they occur in.

1. In each case account for the choice of word and the way it is used.
2. Look for any idiosyncratic or non-standard uses.
3. Look in particular at any instances of some and any to see what proportion of these support the rule of thumb that we use some in affirmative sentences and any in questions and negative sentences.

Course materials

Choose a coursebook or series of coursebooks for learners of English.

1. Look in the Contents section and/or the Index. How easy or difficult is it to find where quantifiers are taught?
2. Look at the appropriate pages. Are quantifiers taught as items of vocabulary in their own right or is the teaching integrated with the teaching of other areas of language? (For example, much and many are sometimes taught in the context of countable and uncountable nouns.)
3. How much information is given about the meaning of the words and the way they are used?
4. How clearly is this described and illustrated?
5. How clearly does the material clarify the difference between closely related forms? (For example, some and any; either and neither.)
6. What opportunities does the material provide for studying how quantifiers are used in context? Are authentic materials used?
7. What opportunities are provided for learners to practise quantifiers in controlled exercises and to use them more freely?