A lot of - many - much - (a) few - (a) little
Date: 2015-10-07; view: 845.
| Countables | Uncountables | ||
| Positive | a lot (of)/lots of/ many (formal) | a lot (of)/lots of/ much (formal) | There are a lot ofbooks in the library. There is a lot ofsalt in this omelette. |
| Interrogative | many | much | Are there manypaintings in the museum? Did you have muchtime to talk to him? |
| Negative | many | much | There aren't manytickets left. I can't buy this. I don't have muchmoney. |
| a few (= some) (very)few (= not many, not enough) | a little (= some) (very) little (= not much, not enough) | A fewpeople were invited to the party. Very few people are billionaires. A littlesugar will make the pie sweeter. |
• A lot (of)/Lots of are followed by countable or uncountable nouns and are normally used in positive sentences.
There were alot of people at the reception. He's got lots of patience.
A lot of can also be used in questions and negations in informal English.
Were there alot of arguments caused by the election?
• Many is followed by countable nouns and much is followed by uncountable nouns. They are normally used in negations or questions.
There isn't much sugar left. Are there many boxes?
Many and much are often used in positive sentences after how, so, too or in formal English.
He didn't realise how much food he had eaten.
You should go on a diet. You 're eating too much.
• A few (= some, a small number) is followed by countable nouns. A little (= some, a small amount) is followed by uncountable nouns. Both a few and a little have a positive meaning.
Ann has a little flour left so she 'II make afew cakes.
• Few (= not many, almost none) is followed by countable nouns. Little (= not much, almost none) is followed by uncountable nouns. Both few and little have a negative meaning and are rather formal. Very few/very little, only a few/only a little are more usual.
Few people are allowed to meet the Queen.
I've had very little response to my offer.
She had few doubts about marrying him even though she had known him only a little while.
• Many, much, (a) few, (a) little, most, all, some, any, several, both, one, two etc are followed by of when a noun follows, preceded by possessives or words such as: this, that, these, those, the or a.
How much of the money you earn do you need for food?
I have lent her so many of my books that I have nothing to read.
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