B1+Quantifiers

All, most, both, either, neither, any, no and none

Choose broad and paired quantifiers according to group size, scope, polarity and whether a noun is stated or replaced.

Overview

What this grammar does

Choose broad and paired quantifiers according to group size, scope, polarity and whether a noun is stated or replaced.

Form and rules

How it works

All/most refer to larger groups; both/either/neither normally refer to two.

Both means the two; either means one or the other; neither means not one and not the other.

Use any in negatives/questions and for unrestricted choice; no + noun and none (of) express zero quantity.

Use of before determiners/pronouns when needed: most of the staff, both of them, none of us.

Placement matters around auxiliaries: They have all arrived; They are both ready.

A closer look

Meaning and use

Use of before determiners/pronouns when needed: most of the staff, both of them, none of us.

Placement matters around auxiliaries: They have all arrived; They are both ready.

Examples

See the pattern in complete sentences

Most employees work remotely twice a week.

Both options are acceptable.

Either of these routes is fine.

Neither candidate had the required experience.

None of us knew the answer.

Common mistakes

What to avoid

Both of one of the two solutions would work, so choose one.

Either of the two solutions would work, so choose one.

Either means one or the other of two.

Either candidate had enough experience, so we reopened the vacancy.

Neither candidate had enough experience, so we reopened the vacancy.

Neither means not one and not the other.

Ready to practise?

The test combines multiple choice, gap completion, error correction, and sentence building so students have to recognise and produce the grammar, not simply reread the rule.

Previous topicReporting verbs Next topic Whatever, whenever, wherever, whoever and however