How to use indefinite & quantifiers pronouns?
PHRASE “A LOT OF”
Phrases “a lot of” and “lots of“ refers to the higher amount (quantity) and may be used with both countable and uncountable nouns:
She reads lots of books in her free time.
You had a lot of luck.
MUCH/ MANY OR A LOT OF
“A lot of” and “lots of“ is used in affirmative sentences, while “much” and “many“ in questions and negative sentences as well.
Sheila has lots of friends abroad.
There is a lot of rain here in autumn.
Forms “many” and “much” sounds very formal in affirmative sentences but are acceptable. Use of “a lot of” and “lots of“ in questions and negative sentences suggest informality of a statement.
Remember:
After “too”, “so” and “how” only use of “many” and “much” is possible.
There’s too much snow outside. I can’t take the baby for a walk.
There are too many factories in our town, and the air is polluted.
You’ve put so much sugar in my tea that it’s not drinkable.
There were so many people at the party that there was no room for dancing.
How much time do you need?
How many people are coming to the gig?
PLENTY
“A lot of/lots of“ means a large amount or number of people or things, “plenty of” in turn means a significant or sufficient amount or quantity; more than enough:
We have a lot of food. Nobody’s going to be hungry.
There’s plenty of food. Take some. It’s too much for us.
NO, NONE, MOST, ALL, WHOLE, EVERY, EACH
NO AND NONE
The pronoun “no” always stands before a noun.
“None” stands alone in a sentence:
No person is allowed in.
I had no money on me to buy anything.
I wanted to borrow some money from him, but he had none.
I’d like to eat some soup, but I can see there’s none left.
Use of “none” with a noun is possible in structure none + of + noun.
None of his children went to university.
Go away. It’s none of your business.
Remember:
There is no double negative in English so that a verb used with “no” or “none” has an affirmative form.
There are no messages for you.
MOST
The pronoun “most” means highest in amount or degree and is used directly before an uncountable noun or countable in the plural.
Structure most of the + noun means “the majority of a particular group’s elements.”
Most of the women who come to my shop don’t buy anything.
He is liked by most of the students.
ALL AND WHOLE
We use “all” to refer the whole quantity or extent of a particular group or thing.
when we use “all” | example |
---|---|
before a noun refers to the whole group | All children cry from time to time. All milk is white |
in structure “all (of) the + noun” | All (of) the children started crying at the same time. All (of) the milk has gone sour. |
in structure “all of + personal pronoun.” | I’ve met all of them. All of you may come. |
Pronoun “whole” is used either after a preposition “a/ the” or after a possessive adjective (my, your, etc.):
I need a whole day to finish this off.
I spent the whole day looking for my dog.
My whole body is aching after that three-hour Crossfit session.
EVERY, EACH
“Every” is usually translated as “everybody” since it means the whole group (at least three people). It stands before a noun and appears with adverbial of time:
Every tenant has an alarm system.
Every boy in this school has to wear a collared shirt.
“Each” is translated as “anybody” since it means each and every one of; may refer to even two people. It may appear directly before a noun or in construction/structure each of + noun in plural.
Each neighbour came to visit us when we moved here.
Each boy gave a flower to Mrs Spencer.
Each of the boys gave a flower to Mrs Spencer.
ANOTHER/ OTHER
ANOTHER
“Another” means “one more” and “a further.”
Have another sandwich.
We have two cars, but we need another one.
The second meaning of “another” is “different person or thing from one already mentioned or known about”: Let’s find another hotel. This one is too expensive.
OTHER
“Other” as an adjective means “different; the rest of; the reminder of”:
Where are the other CDs? I’ve got only three here.
I haven’t got any other idea.
“The other” means “the second”. If appear as a pronoun then says “the other one; tother.”
Put the blue box here, and the other one over there.
I had a shopping bag in one hand and an umbrella in the other.
In this meaning, “other” has plural – “others” or “the others.”
You shouldn’t expect others to do your homework.
Tell the others I’m going to be late.
EACH OTHER OR ONE ANOTHER?
“Each other” and “one another” have the same meaning.
Used when people have done something for each other mutually:
They’re taking photos of themselves.
They’re taking photos of each other/one another.
