Qualifiers & Quantifiers
English Language: KS3, topic 3.1.5
Qualifiers
Qualifiers are words that are usually used before adjectives or adverbs. Adjectives and adverbs are examples of modifiers. Qualifiers either limit, weaken or strengthen the modifier’s meaning.
Examples of qualifiers
- The qualifier 'hardly' in the phrase ‘hardly a big monster’ is used as a qualifier to weaken the adjective 'big'.
- The qualifier 'very' in the phrase ‘a very big monster’ is used to strengthen the adjective 'big'.
Spotting a qualifier
- Look at the difference between these three sentences:
- He is a handsome man.
- He is a somewhat handsome man.
- He is a really handsome man.
- All sentences give you information about the man’s handsomeness.
Spotting a qualifier 2
- 'He is a somewhat handsome man' weakens the handsomeness of the man.
- 'He is a really handsome man' strengthens the handsomeness of the man.
- 'Somewhat' and 'really' are qualifiers in these sentences.
Categories of qualifiers
- There are four different categories of qualifiers:
- Qualifiers of time - usually, always, never, sometimes, etc.
- Qualifiers of quantity - some, most, all, none, etc.
- Qualifiers of certainty - I guess, I think, I know, I am certain, etc.
- Qualifiers of possibility - could, may, likely, possible, probable, etc.
Quantifiers
Quantifiers tell us something about the amount or quantity of something (a noun). Quantifiers can tell you about how many of something we have.
Quantifiers as numbers
- Numbers as quantifiers:
- I have 3 apples.
- I have hundreds of apples.
- The number '3' and 'hundreds' are both quantifiers.
Quantifiers as words
- Quantifiers can also tell us about how much of something we have:
- I have most of the apples.
- I have __lots __ of apples.
- I have __plenty __ of apples.
- I have no apples.
- 'Most', 'lots', 'plenty' and 'no' are all quantifiers.
Test yourself on Qualifiers & Quantifiers
What is the qualifier in this sentence?
'That's never going to happen'What is the qualifier in this sentence?
'I will probably go swimming today'What is the effect of the qualifier in this sentence?
'That plant is always beautiful'Which sentences use qualifiers to strengthen the meaning of these sentences?
What is the quantifier in this sentence?
'I have loads of grapes'