Елена Васильева – English grammar: 100 main rules (страница 6)

Note

All is quite often substituted by comounds everybody, everyone, everything.

All are happy. => Everyone is happy.

All is ready. => Everything is ready.

both

– with plural countables

– refers to two persons or things

I like both (ties).

Both (applicants) are equally experienced.

– agrees with a plural verb

Which project is better? Both are good.

– Use of between both and another determiner.

Both of these restaurants are expensive.

Olivia knows both of his brothers.

– Use both of with a personal object pronoun (him, her, them, etc); use both after a personal subject pronoun (he, she, they).

Both of them (They both) are suitable.

It's a game that both of us (we both) can play.

many/much

– many with countable nouns; much with uncountable nouns

– refer to indefinitely large number of things or persons

Are there many books on the desk?

Will it take much time to get to the centre?

– mostly used in negative sentences and questions

How many friends have you got?

There isn't much sense in it.

– If many/much are determined by as, so, too, very, use them in affirmative sentences as well.

There were too many variants to choose.

They have changed so much this year.

– If many/much are the subject or the subject attribute, then they can be used in affirmative sentences too.

Much of the work has already been completed.

Many students attend extra classes.

Note

Words a lot (of), lots (of), a plenty (of) are commonly used in affirmative sentences.

We have a lot to discuss.

There are lots of easy ways to follow.

They still have plenty of snow.

few, little

– few with countables; little with uncountables

– refer to indefinitely small number off things or persons; the implied meaning is "not enough"

Nick is sad because he has few friends here.

There was little flour, so I couldn't bake a cake.

– The indefinite article a/an with the pronouns few/little changes the implied meaning for positive "enough".

John has a few friends there.

There was a little flour, so I could bake a cake.

– It is preferable to use any in negative sentences and questions.

Does John have any friends there?

Andy doesn't have any friends there.

Is there any flour at home?

There is no flour at all.

enough

– with both countable and uncountable nouns

– refers to indefinite but sufficient number of something

You have enough time to write an article.

Andrew told them enough.

one

– refers to an undetermined person in general

One cannot learn a language in three months.

One should pay taxes.

Note

In the informal language undetermined persons can be as well expressed by the pronouns you or they.

You must always try to do your best.

They say the weather is changing.

Note

The pronoun one can be used in the possessive form (one's) or in its reflexive form (oneself).

One must learn from one's mistakes.