The Undefined Quantity

Expressing/ the undefined Quantity 

MULTITUDE OR MAGNITUDE

In English with Determiners, Quantifiers

All these adjectives or pronouns refer/are in relation to a quantity

that may (or may not) be known to a person.



Aristolaos  2011, Posted 2015
  

The following definitions/topics (all, some, a few, a little, many, much, more, fewer, less) are as they appear in English Usage. Translation to other languages is made according to the use of equivalents

  

 All   (opposite/negative of none):

For countable (numerable) nouns (denoting “multitude, plurality”), and uncountable (measurable) nouns (denoting “magnitude”).

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">Absolute/unambiguous/unambivalent/explicit/specified/positive/defined quantity, on the one hand, as it defines the “whole” without exception, or undefined, on the other, as it does not define “how much/many”.

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">A sum/quantity referred to/covering the whole (sum/group/total/amount) of a quantity (multitude or magnitude).

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">A definite/defined/specified quantity on the one hand, when one knows (of) the exact “whole”, or indefinite/undefined/unspecified quantity (vague, or not clearly defined or stated) on the other, when one does not know (of) the exact “whole”.

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">Whole, without exempting or leaving anything out (omitting anything), not some

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">e.g there were 10 copies, and all were old, or, without knowing the exact quantity, all ships must …

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">// definite, not vague, not approximately.

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">Quantifier; used with either mass or count nouns (i.e. with magnitude or multitude) to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0"> A few (opposite /antonym: many):

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">For countable/numerable nouns (denoting “multitude”, “plurality”)

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">Undefined/vague/ambiguous/unspecified/indefinite sum/quantity without defining “how many”.

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">A sum much less than half of the whole (of a total/sum/quantity/group) of a quantity (multitude).

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">A definite/defined/specified quantity on the one hand, when one knows (of) this exact quantity or the “whole”, or indefinite/undefined/unspecified quantity (vague, or not clearly defined or stated) on the other, when one does not know (of) this exact quantity or the “whole”.

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">A small portion/part.

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">e.g there were 10 copies, but a few (out of 10) were old, not defining e.g. 2 or 3 were old, or, without knowing the exact quantity, a few ships must …)

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">//undefined, vague.

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">More than one but indefinitely small in number

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0"> <span lang="EL" style="font-family:'TimesNewRoman',serif"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:'ArialNarrow',sans-serif">None   (opposite/negative: all):

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">For countable/numerable nouns (denoting “multitude”, “plurality”)

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">Absolute/unambiguous/unambivalent/explicit/specified/positive/defined quantity, on the one hand, as it defines the “whole” without exception, or undefined, on the other, as it does not define “how many”.

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">A sum/quantity referred to/covering the whole (sum/group/total) of a quantity (multitude).

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">A definite/defined/specified quantity on the one hand, when one knows (of) the exact “whole”, or indefinite/undefined/unspecified quantity (vague, or not clearly defined or stated) on the other, when one does not know (of) the exact “whole”.

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">No-one, without exempting or leaving anything out (omitting anything), not some

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">e.g there were 10 copies, but none were/was new or, without knowing the exact quantity, none of the ships must …

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">// definite, not vague, not approximately.

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0"> Some : (opposite /antonym: much/many):

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">For countable (numerable) nouns (denoting “multitude, plurality”), and uncountable (measurable) nouns (denoting “magnitude”).

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">Undefined/vague/ambiguous/unspecified/indefinite sum/quantity, without defining “how much or how many”.

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">A quantity usually less than half of the whole (total /sum/amount) of a quantity (multitude or magnitude).

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">A definite/defined/specified quantity on the one hand, when one knows (of) this exact quantity or the “whole”, or indefinite/undefined/unspecified quantity (vague, or not clearly defined or stated) on the other, when one does not know (of) this exact quantity or the “whole”.

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">A small portion/part/amount //adv. sort of, around, about, approximately, somehow, somewhat

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">e.g there were 10 copies, but some (out of 10) were old, not specifying exactly how many, that e.g. 3 or 4 were old, or there was flour, but some (of it) was old not defining exactly how much, or, without knowing the exact quantity, some ships …, some sugar …

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">//unfefined, unclear, vague

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">Quantifier; used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns (i.e. with magnitude or multitude) to indicate an unspecified quantity

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0"> <span lang="EL" style="font-family:'TimesNewRoman',serif"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:'ArialNarrow',sans-serif">A little   (opposite /antonym: much): 

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">For uncountable/measurable nouns (denoting "magnitude”)

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">Undefined/vague/ambiguous/unspecified/indefinite quantity without defining “how much”.

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">A quantity much smaller than half of the whole (of an amount) of a quantity (magnitude).

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">A definite/defined/specified quantity on the one hand, when one knows (of) this exact quantity or the “whole”, or indefinite/undefined/unspecified quantity (vague, or not clearly defined or stated) on the other, when one does not know (of) this exact quantity or the “whole”.

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">A very small portion/part/amount //adv. a little

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">e.g there was flour, but a little (of it) was old, not defining exactly how much, that .eg. 1 or ½ cup was old, or, without knowing the exact quantity, a little sugar...

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">//unfefined, unclear, vague, ambiguous

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0"> Many (opposite /antonym: a few):

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">For countable/numerable nouns (denoting “multitude, plurality”)

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">Undefined/vague/ambiguous/unspecified/indefinite sum/quantity, without defining the number /“how many”.

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">A quantity usually larger than half of the whole (total /sum/amount) of a quantity (multitude, plurality).

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">A definite/defined/specified quantity on the one hand, when one knows (of) this exact quantity (number) or the “whole”, or indefinite/undefined/unspecified quantity (vague, or not clearly defined or stated) on the other, when one does not know (of) this exact quantity or the “whole”.

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">A lot (of), a large number (of), a very big or the bigger portion (of)/a very big or the bigger part (of)

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">e.g there were 10 copies, but many (out of 10) were old, not specifying exactly the number/how many, that e.g. 7 or 9 were old, or, without knowing the exact quantity, many ships ….

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">//unfefined, unclear, vague, ambiguous

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">A quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by 'as' or 'too' or 'so' or 'that'; amounting to a large but indefinite number

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0"> Much (opposite /antonym: a little): 

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">For uncountable/measurable nouns (denoting "magnitude”)

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">Undefined/vague/ambiguous/unspecified/indefinite quantity without defining “how much”.

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">A quantity much more than half of the whole (of an amount) of a quantity (magnitude).

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">A definite/defined/specified quantity on the one hand, when one knows (of) this exact quantity or the “whole”, or indefinite/undefined/unspecified quantity (vague, or not clearly defined or stated) on the other, when one does not know (of) this exact quantity or the “whole”.

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">A lot (of), a large amount (of), a very big or the bigger portion/a big or the bigger part, not all //adv much

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">e.g there was flour, but much (of it) was old, not defining exactly the quantity “how much”, that .e.g. 7 or 9 cups (of it) was old, or, without knowing the exact quantity, much sugar...

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">//unfefined, unclear, vague, ambiguous

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">quantifier used with mass nouns) great in quantity, degree or extent. 

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0"> <span lang="EL" style="font-family:'TimesNewRoman',serif"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:'ArialNarrow',sans-serif">More   (opposite/antonym: fewer (countable) or less (uncountable):

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">Comparative of much and many.

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">For countable (numerable) nouns (denoting “multitude, plurality”), and uncountable (measurable) nouns (denoting “magnitude”).

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">Undefined/vague/ambiguous/unspecified/indefinite sum/quantity, without defining exactly “how much or how many”.

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">A quantity larger than another quantity, whole (sum/ total/number/amount), compared, of multitude/plurality or magnitude

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">A definite/defined/specified quantity on the one hand, when one knows (of) this exact quantity or the “whole”, or indefinite/undefined/unspecified quantity (vague, or not clearly defined or stated) on the other, when one does not know (of) this exact quantity or the “whole”.

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">Bigger portion, bigger part (than) //also as an adverb.

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">e.g There were 10 copies, but more were needed; not specifying exactly how many, e.g. 11 or 12. etc. or there was flour but more was needed not defining exactly how much)

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">//indefinite, unclear, vague, ambiguous

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">Comparative of 'many and much' used with countable and mass nouns (a quantifier meaning greater in size, amount, extent or degree

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">Most (opposite /antonym: fewest and least)

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">Superlative of much and many.

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">For countable (numerable) nouns (denoting “multitude, plurality”), and uncountable (measurable) nouns (denoting “magnitude”).

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">Undefined/vague/ambiguous/unspecified/indefinite sum/quantity, without defining exactly “how much or how many”.

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">A quantity much larger or much more than half of another quantity compared of a sum/whole ( total/number/amount) of multitude/plurality or magnitude.

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">A definite/defined/specified quantity on the one hand, when one knows (of) this exact quantity and/or the “whole”, or indefinite/undefined/unspecified quantity (vague, or not clearly defined or stated) on the other, when one does not know (of) this exact quantity and/or the “whole”.

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">More than more, the largest/biggest portion/part (of)//adverb most

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">//indefinite, vague, ambiguous

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">e.g There were 10 copies, but most (of them)were old; not specifying exactly how many, e.g. 8 or 9. etc. or there was flour but most (of it) was old not defining exactly how much.

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">Superlative of 'many and much' used with countable and mass nouns (a quantifier meaning the greatest part, amount, extent or degree.

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">Note:

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0"><span style="font-family:'TimesNewRoman',serif">"More" and "Most" the irregular comparatives of "many" and "much"

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0"><span style="font-family:'TimesNewRoman',serif">Usage

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0"><span style="font-family:'TimesNewRoman',serif">When modifying a noun/substance (quantifiers)

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0"><span style="font-family:'TimesNewRoman',serif">Comparative ‘more’ means that a quantity exceeds an existing quantity (eg 10 + 1), while superlative ‘most’ is within it (eg 10-1) e.g. more people, more water (than the existing), most people, most water (of the existing).

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0"><span style="font-family:'TimesNewRoman',serif">When modifying adjectives or adverbs (property, quality).

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0"><span style="font-family:'TimesNewRoman',serif">Comparative ‘more’ means that a quality exceeds the same quality of another entity, while superlative ‘most’ means that a quality exceeds the same quality of more than two entities e.g. more beautiful (than), most beautiful (of the three, of all, in the town), See also Comparison, Grammatical Particles

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0"> <span lang="EL" style="font-family:'TimesNewRoman',serif"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:'ArialNarrow',sans-serif">Fewer   (opposite of/ antonym: more): 

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">Comparative of (a) few.

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">For countable (numerable) nouns (denoting “multitude, plurality”).

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">Undefined/vague/ambiguous/unspecified/indefinite sum/quantity, without defining exactly “how many”.

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">A quantity smaller/less than another quantity, whole (sum/ total/number) compared, of multitude/plurality.

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">A definite/defined/specified quantity on the one hand, when one knows (of) this exact quantity or the “whole”, or indefinite/undefined/unspecified quantity (vague, or not clearly defined or stated) on the other, when one does not know (of) this exact quantity or the “whole”.

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">Smaller portion, smaller part /number (than) //adverb ______.

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">e.g There were 10 copies, but fewer were needed; not specifying exactly how many, e.g. 8 or 9. etc.

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">//indefinite, unclear, vague, ambiguous

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">comparative of 'few' used with count nouns; quantifier meaning a smaller number of

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">Fewest

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">Superlative of (a) few.

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">For countable (numerable) nouns (denoting “multitude, plurality”).

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">Undefined/vague/ambiguous/unspecified/indefinite sum/quantity, without defining exactly “how many”.

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">A quantity much smaller or much less than half of another quantity compared of a sum/whole ( total/number/amount) of multitude/plurality.

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">A definite/defined/specified quantity on the one hand, when one knows (of) this exact quantity and/or the “whole”, or indefinite/undefined/unspecified quantity (vague, or not clearly defined or stated) on the other, when one does not know (of) this exact quantity and/or the “whole”.

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">Less than less, more than more, the smallest/least portion/part (of)//adverb ____

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">e.g There were 10 copies, but (the) fewest (of them) were new; not specifying exactly how many, e.g. 1 or 2. etc.

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">//indefinite, vague, ambiguous

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">Superlative of 'few' used with count nouns and usually preceded by 'the') quantifier meaning the smallest in number

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0"> <span lang="EL" style="font-family:'TimesNewRoman',serif"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:'ArialNarrow',sans-serif">Less   (opposite of/ antonym: more): 

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">Comparative of (a) little.

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">For uncountable (measurable) nouns (denoting “magnitude”).

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">Undefined/vague/ambiguous/unspecified/indefinite quantity, without defining exactly “how much”.

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">A quantity smaller/less than another quantity/ whole compared, of multitude.

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">A definite/defined/specified quantity on the one hand, when one knows (of) this exact quantity or the “whole”, or indefinite/undefined/unspecified quantity (vague, or not clearly defined or stated) on the other, when one does not know (of) this exact quantity or the “whole”.

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">Smaller portion, smaller part (than) //adverb: less.

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">e.g There was sugar (e.g 10 kilos), but less was needed; not specifying exactly how much, e.g. 8 or 9 kilos

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">//indefinite, unclear, vague, ambiguous

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">Comparative of 'little' (usually used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning not as great in amount or degree

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0"> <span lang="EL" style="font-family:'TimesNewRoman',serif"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:'ArialNarrow',sans-serif">Least   (opposite/antonym: most)

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">Superlative of (a) little.

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">For uncountable (measurable) nouns (denoting “magnitude”).

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">Undefined/vague/ambiguous/unspecified/indefinite sum/quantity, without defining exactly “how much”.

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">A quantity much smaller or much less than half of another quantity compared or not of a whole (total /amount) of magnitude.

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">A definite/defined/specified quantity on the one hand, when one knows (of) this exact quantity and/or the “whole”, or indefinite/undefined/unspecified quantity (vague, or not clearly defined or stated) on the other, when one does not know (of) this exact quantity and/or the “whole”.

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">Less than less, the smallest portion/part (of)//adverb least

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">e.g There was sugar (e.g. 10 kilos), but (the) least of it was needed, not specifying exactly how much (e.g. ½ or 1 kilo. etc)

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">//indefinite, vague, ambiguous

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">The superlative of 'little' that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by 'the'; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount, extent or degree

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:'TimesNewRoman',serif">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">

<p align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">NOTE: The exact/definite quantity expressed by all above adjectives or pronouns (quantifiers) may be known by the speaker(s), e.g. George knows (or not) the exact quantity (multitude or magnitude) (3 or 7 books out of 10 ; 3 or 7 kilos out of 10 etc), he uses such a quantifier (determiner) though.