Adjectives is one of the most essential grammar topics that all children are taught from a young age. Adjectives can be divided into many types, and two among them are adjectives of quantity and the adjectives of number. These are the two types of adjectives where students tend to make mistakes. Since both of these types talk about numbers, children often get confused between them.
Adjectives are an important part of the English Language and when it comes to ‘adjective of quantity’ and ‘adjective of number’, students get confused. And it is essential that they understand the difference between these two types of adjectives; otherwise, they’ll not have a clear conception about them and continue to use them in the wrong context. This article will deal with the essential key points about how the adjective of number and adjective of quantity are different from each other. This article covers the following topics:
- Table summarising the difference between Adjective of Quantity and Adjective of Number
- The Difference between Adjective of Quantity and Adjective of Number – Meaning
- Examples of Adjective of Quantity and Adjective of Number
- Adjective of Quantity and Adjective of Number – Conclusion
Table Summarising the Difference between Adjective of Quantity and Adjective of Number
| Adjective of Quantity | Adjective of Number | |
| Meaning | Adjective of quantity refers to how much/amount of a thing is meant. | Adjective of Number or Numeral Adjective refers to how many or in what order people/things are. |
| Usage | It is used as a type of adjective. | It is also used as a type of adjective. |
| Example | Rahul ate some rice. | Anita stood first in the class. |
The table shows that though the adjectives of number and adjectives of quantity are types of adjectives that talk about amount/numbers, they aren’t the same and can’t be used synonymously. Students often get confused between these types of adjectives, but it’s essential that they understand the context in which these are being used. Only then can they use these adjectives correctly.
The Difference between Adjective of Quantity and Adjective of Number – Meaning
If you go by the definite adjective of quantity or quantitative adjective it refers to how much/the amount of a thing is being meant. The adjective of quantity is used with nouns that are uncountable in nature. For example, “There is little oil left for cooking.” Here, ‘little’ is a quantitative adjective, whereas an adjective that refers to how many or in what order the person/thing is the adjective of number or numeral adjective. This adjective is used with nouns that are countable. For example, “Monday is the first day of the week.” Here, ‘first’ is an example of a numeral adjective. Once students understand this difference, it will be easy for them to identify the correct type of adjective.
Examples of Adjective of Quantity and Adjective of Number
The following examples will help students to better understand the difference between the adjective of quantity and adjective of number.
Adjective of Quantity – There are few grains of sand in the box.
Adjective of Number – There were some people in the cinema hall.
Once students understand the difference between the adjective of quantity and the adjective of number, they can quickly form as well as identify examples on their own.
Adjective of Quantity and Adjective of Number – Conclusion
In conclusion, though, the adjective of quantity and adjective of number are used to express how much or how many (amount/number) but are not synonymous and can’t be used interchangeably. When one is using these adjectives, one has to understand the context, i.e. if it is countable, then it is an adjective of number, and if it is uncountable, then an adjective of quantity. This article talks about the essential points that help one to know how to differentiate between these two types of adjectives. BYJU’S offers various articles on many such ‘differences between two words’ (here two types of adjectives) that people often get confused with.
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