Learn English: 2013-02-10

Quantifiers in English: few, little, lots of

Quantifiers are an important part of English grammar. We can use a few, a little, a lot and lots of to mean "not very much", "not very many" and "plenty of". The one you choose depends on what type of noun you are describing.

Few and little

We use a few with plural, countable nouns. For example, "A few people came to the party."
We use a little with uncountable nouns. For example, "There's a little coffee left, if you would like some."
We can also use few and little (without "a") to mean very few or very little (i.e. much less in quantity).
For example, "There's little point in calling" (= there's not much point calling).
"There were few people at the concert."
"A few" is more in quantity than "few"; and "a little" is more in quantity than "little".
"Few people understand" (not many people understand), compared to "a few people understand" (some people understand).
In spoken English, we can also say not many, or only a few to mean "few" and only a little or not much to mean "little".
"Not many people came to the party." Or "Only a few people came to the party."
"There was only a little petrol left in the car." Or "There wasn't much petrol left in the car."
Making comparisons
The comparative form of "few" is fewer, and the comparative form of "little" is less.
Remember: use "fewer" for plural, countable nouns, and "less" for uncountable nouns.
For example, "There are fewer people here than last year" or "He drinks less coffee than I do".
It is grammatically incorrect to say "There are less people here than last year", as "people" is a plural countable noun.

Lots of and a lot of

In spoken English we often use lots of or a lot of. In written English, it is more common to write many (for countable plural nouns) or a great deal of (for uncountable nouns) in positive statements.
A common mistake is to use lot of. For example, "There are lot of accidents on this road". To avoid making this mistake, remember either to use a before lot, or to make lot plural – lots.
We can say either a lot of or lots of before a noun. For example, "There are a lot of people here" or "There are lots of people here". There isn't any difference between the two expressions.
We can also use a lot as an adverb to say how much you do something. For example, "She talks a lot".
A lot is also used in short answers. For example, "Do you like swimming?", "Yes, a lot."
For more information on types of nouns, see our page on English articles.

Like and As

Like and as are often confused in English. They can both be used to talk about how things are similar.

Like

Like is followed by a noun or pronoun. For example, "I'm like my sister", or "Like my sister, I have brown eyes."
When we use "like" in this way, we can describe physical similarity as well as similarity of character.
"I'm like my sister. We both have dark hair."
"I'm just like my sister. I hate it when people are rude."
If you want to ask for a description of a person, you can say:
"What's she like?" (i.e. is she nice or difficult to get on with?)
If you want a physical description of a person, you can say:
"What does she look like?" (is she tall, or does she have brown hair, for example?)
If you want to find out who a person resembles (either physically or in character) you can say:
"Who is she like?" (does she take after her mother or her father, for example?)

Look like

You can use "look like" to talk about physical similarity.
"She looks like her aunt. They both have red, curly hair."
(Be careful that you don't confuse the two, and say something like "I'm look like" or "She's look like".)
You can also use "look like" to make a prediction.
"It looks like it's going to rain."
"She looks like she's going to cry."
"He looks like he's about to go on holiday."
"It looks like it will be a great year for the company."

As

As is followed by a subject and verb. For example, "She's a good student, as her brother was before her."
However, in spoken English, like is often used instead of as. "She's a good student, like her brother was before her."
As is used with a preposition, such as, "As in the 1960's, the population explosion will cause some problems."
We can use as in certain expressions, such as "as you know", "as you requested", "as we agreed".
We also use as…..as to give comparisons. For example, "He's as clever as his sister."

Direct and Indirect Questions in English

Direct questions – yes / no questions in English.
1. He likes swimming.
2. He can swim long distances.
3. He is a good swimmer.
To make sentence 1 into a question, you need to add does. The does goes before he.
Does is only used if the subject is he, she or it – in all other cases, use do.
The verb like goes after the subject, but it doesn't have an 's' on the end.
Remember: after auxiliary verbs (like do, does, have, can, etc.) the verb is in the infinitive, without 'to'.
"Does he like swimming?" Not "Does he likes swimming?" or "Do he like swimming?"
If the sentence is in the past tense (he liked swimming), we use the past form of 'do' or 'does', which is did. The verb 'like' is still in the infinitive without 'to'.
For example, "Did he like swimming?" Not "Did he liked swimming?"
To make sentence 2 into a question, you don't need to use 'does' because you already have an auxiliary verb – can. So you put the can before he.
"Can he swim long distances?" Not "Can swim he long distances?" or "Does he can swim long distances?"
To make sentence 3 into a question, use is as the auxiliary.
"Is he a good swimmer?" Not "Does he is a good swimmer?" or "Does he be a good swimmer?"

Direct questions – "wh" questions

What is your name?
Why do you want this job?
How much do you earn?
How soon can you start?
When did you see the advertisement?
Where do you live?
Which newspaper did you see the advertisement in?
Who gave you my name?
After the "wh word" (what, why, how, when, etc) comes the auxiliary (do, does, did or can), then the subject (you) , then the rest of the question.
Note: if 'who', 'which' or 'what' are the subject of the question, you donâ€™t need an auxiliary.
For example, "What happened?" Not "What did happen?" The thing that happened is what – the subject of the question.
"Who saw you?" Someone saw you – who was it?
Compare with "Who did you see?" You saw someone – who was it?)
"Which company made a profit?" A company made a profit – which company was it?
Compare with "Which company did you work for?" You worked for a company – which one was it?

Indirect questions in English

If you want to ask a question that is quite sensitive, try using one of the indirect phrases below:
Can you tell me…
Could you tell me…
I'd be interested to hear…
I'd like to know…
Would you mind telling me…
These questions are followed by either about, a "wh word" or if. Then you add the subject, then the sentence.
You don't need an 'auxiliary', such as 'do', 'does', 'did', or 'can'.
"Can you tell me what you like most about your present job?" Not "Can you tell me what do you like?"
"I'd be interested to hear about your experiences."
"Would you mind telling me if you have applied for a similar position before?"

"If" sentences

There are four main types of if sentences in English, often called conditional sentences.
These sentences are in two halves, with the if part in one half and the other part where you can use words such as can, will, may, might, could and would.

If + present form + present form

"If you heat ice, it melts."
In this type of sentence, you could use when instead of if. It's always true that when you heat ice it melts. This is why this type of sentence is sometimes called a zero conditional.

If + present form, + will, can or may

"If I am late, I will call you."
"If you need me, you can call me at home."
"If it gets any hotter, we may have a thunder storm."
In these sentences (or first conditional sentences), there is a strong possibility that the first part (coming after if) is going to happen. The second part says what will happen as a result.

If + past form + would, could or might

"If I got a pay rise, I would buy a new car."
"If you left your job, you could travel around the world."
"If you were nicer to him, he might lend you the money."
In these sentences, the first part with if shows that the event is unlikely to happen. In English, we often use this type of sentence (called a second conditional) to talk about hypotheses, or imaginary future events.
For example, "If I was President of the United States, I would change some laws." But I know that I'll never be the President of the USA – I'm just saying what I would do if I was in his/her position. Note: in American English, it is correct to use "if I were…" In British English, it's more common to say "if I was…"

If + past perfect + would/might/could have done

"If I had revised, I would have passed my exams."
"If we had gone out earlier, we might have got to the cinema on time."
"If you had told me there was a problem, I could have helped."
In these sentences (or third conditional sentences), the first part of the sentence with if didn't happen. So there is no possibility of the second part of the sentence happening. I didn't revise, so I didn't pass my exams and there is nothing I can do about it now. English speakers use this type of sentence to show how things could have been different.

Frequency Adverbs

The most common frequency adverbs in English are:

Always Frequently
Usually
Often
Sometimes
Occasionally
Seldom
Rarely
Never

100% of the time about 90% of the time
about 80% of the time
about 70% of the time
about 50% of the time
about 40% of the time
about 20% of the time
about 10% of the time
about 00% of the time

Note: The percentages here are rough estimates only.

Frequency adverbs can be placed at various points in the sentence, but are most commonly used before the main verbs and after be verbs.

I always come to work on time.
They are seldom home when we call.
He’s usually eating breakfast at this time.
She’s never been to Maine.
A: Do you come here often?
B: Yes. I’m here occasionally.
A: What do you usually do here?
B: Sometimes I just sit and ponder the meaning of life.

Note: The adverbs seldom, rarely, never and hardly ever are considered negative.

A: Do you always carry a briefcase?
B: (Yes,) I usually do.
No, I usually don’t.
No, I rarely do.
No, I hardly ever do.

Other frequency adverbs and expressions are as follows:

Every day/week/month
Every other day/week
Once a week/month/year
Twice a year/day, etc.
(Every) once in a while
Every so often

These expressions are used at the beginning and end of sentences, not before main verbs.

Every once in a while I visit my grandmother in Minnesota.
I visit my grandmother in Minnesota every once in a while.
I every once in a while visit my grandmother in Minnesota. (Incorrect)

Regularly Normally
Traditionally

(according to schedule) (commonly nowadays)
(commonly in the past)

These words can come at various points in the sentence.

I regularly floss my teeth.

I floss my teeth regularly.
Traditionally, that was considered child’s play.
I normally get up around 6 o’clock.
Normally, I get up around 6 o’clock.

Conjunctions and Linking Words

Coordinators
Coordinators connect elements of equal importance.

S + V , but

S + V

(and, but, so, or, nor, for*, yet)

S + V and V
S and S + V
N and N
Adj. and Adj.
Phrase and Phrase
Can be used in a series: A, B, C, or D

Subordinators Subordinators connect elements of unequal importance. One clause is not as strong as the other.

S + V although S + V	(although, even though, because, since, when, while, before, after, whenever, wherever, if, unless, whether…[or not] as, as [adjective] as, so that, whereas anywhere, anytime)
Although S + V , S + V

Sentence Connectors
Sentence Connectors connect paragraphs or show relationship between very different ideas.

S + V . However, S + V	(however, therefore, thus, moreover, nevertheless, first, then, next, still besides, consequently, furthermore)
S + V ; however, S + V

Prepositions

S + V (prep. phrase)	(during, after, before, in, on, at
	despite, in spite of, for, since, by
(Prep. phrase), S + V	like, except, but, about, to, from
	between [A and B], among, with
(Prep. phrase) V + S (unusual)	within, without, beside, near, next to)

* These words have more than one function.

Singular vs. Plural

English nouns can be classified as count (singular and plural) and non-count.
The singular form is used when considering the noun as a single item (count) or entity (non-count).

brick

dog

airplane

person

foot

water

sugar

truth

education

The plural form is used when considering more than one of the same item. Non-count nouns do not have a plural form.

bricks

dogs

airplanes

people

feet

Things to be aware of: Regular plurals
Most plurals are formed by adding –s or –es to the singular noun:

boys	cars	pens	pills	pronounce /z/
cats	rocks	tips	chiefs	pronounce /s/
kisses	watches	boxes	dishes	pronounce /Iz/

In some cases, there are special spelling rules that need to be considered when forming the plural.

knives

hobbies

quizzes

Irregular plurals
Some nouns take on a different form in the plural:

women

teeth

mice

children

people

Non-count nouns
Non-count nouns do not have a plural form; however, some nouns can be used in both the count and non-count sense:

I have a lot of experience.

I have a lot of experiences.

Third-person singular –s
Singular and non-count nouns (in the third person) require the –s form of the verb in the present tense.

The girl loves painting.
My dog likes to eat meat.
Johnny lives next door to Jenny.
Milk contains nutrients.
Tommy has two hobbies.
Jerry is from Colorado.

Singular count nouns require an article (the, a, an) unless

they are “proper” nouns

Mr. Jones went to Arizona.

they are preceded by a possessive

My mother loves my father.

they are preceded by this, that, each, every, either, neither, or one.

Each man contributed one dollar.

(Wrong: Apple is on table.—articles are required)

The/An apple is on the table. (right)

Plural nouns and singular non-count nouns do not require an article in the “generic” sense:

Water is important for plants.

However, they require articles (the, some) in most other cases.

Please put some wine in the glasses.

Drink


water	milk	beer	coffee


soft drink	tea	juice	wine

Fruits


apple	apricot	avocado	banana


cantaloupe	cherry	date	grape


grapefruit	kiwi	lemon	lime


litchi	mango	nectarine	orange


papaya	peach	pear	pineapple


plum	quince	raspberry	strawberry


watermelon

Body and Health


nose	hand	finger(s)	face


eye(s)	ear(s)	mouth	leg


foot/feet	toe(s)	hair	head


arm	chin	elbow	neck


shoulder	knee	waist	wrist


ankle	hip	chest	stomach


back	lip	thigh	forehead