When we are learning quantifiers (nouns of quantity and number) in Gaelic, we need to learn the rules associated with each.
Grunn is followed by the genitive (possessive) plural indefinite noun:
grunn bhàtaichean
a good number of boats
grunnan bheòthaichean
a small number of animals, a few animals
Meall, dòrlach and deannan, like mòran/beagan, are followed by the genitive (possessive) singular or plural indefinite noun:
meall mòr cloiche
a big lump of stone
dòrlach airgid
a handful of money
deannan bhriosgaidean
a (good) few biscuits, a small number of biscuits
Iomadh, gach and a h–uile are followed by the singular nominative (nominal) noun:
iomadh òran
many songs
gach latha
each day
a h–uile seachdain
every week
Finally, càil/dad/sìon/sgath (anything), and gin (any, a single one) are used in questions and negative sentences, without a noun:
Cha do rinn iad càil.
They didn’t do anything.
Chan innis e dad dhut.
He won’t tell you anything.
Cha d’ fhuair mise gin.
I didn’t get any (of them).
Am faigh thu gin?
Will you get any (of them)?
An do cheannaich iad càil?
Did they buy anything?
📑 This is important information! This page is well worth bookmarking. If you keep a notebook or notes file it is well worth keeping a note of this vocabulary and associated rules. 📚