Much many little few lots of a lot of

expressions of quantity

" Much, many, (a) few, (a) little, a lot of, lots of"

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Slide 1: Slide

This lesson contains 19 slides, with interactive quizzes and text slides.

Items in this lesson

expressions of quantity

" Much, many, (a) few, (a) little, a lot of, lots of"

Slide 1 - Slide

Much and Many

1. We use much with uncountable nouns in questions and negatives.

How much money have you got?
There isn’t much cheese left.

2. We use many with countable nouns in questions and negatives.

How many people were at the party?
I didn’t take many photos on holiday.

Slide 2 - Slide

(a) Few and (a) little

1. We use a few with countable nouns

There are a few cigarettes left, but not many.

2. We use a little with uncountable nouns

Can you give me a little help?

Slide 3 - Slide

A lot/lots (of)

1. We use a lot/lots with both countable and uncountable nouns

There is a lot of butter

I’ve got lots of friends.

2. A lot/lots of can be used in questions and negatives

Are there lots of tourists in your country?

There isn’t a lot of butter, but there’s enough.

Slide 4 - Slide

Positive attitude

A few (for countable nouns) and a little (for uncountable nouns) describe the quantity in a positive way, implying that although the speaker may not have much, he has enough.

Examples

I've got a few friends. = I have enough friends.

I have a few flowers in my garden. = I have enough flowers.

I've got a little money. = I have enough money.

I have a little free time on Thursdays. = I have enough free time.

Slide 5 - Slide

Negative attitude

Few (for countable nouns) and little (for uncountable nouns) describe the quantity in a negative way. They may actually indicate a total lack of the noun, but are more polite than saying so directly.

Examples

Few people visited him in hospital. = he had almost no visitors, or perhaps no visitors at all.

I've seen few birds around here. = there are almost no birds, or perhaps not a single bird

He had little money for treats. = almost no money, or perhaps no money at all

I have little time for TV = almost no time, or perhaps no time at all

Slide 6 - Slide

Kies : A lot of / many / much / (a) few / (a) little
We had ___ homework, so I couldn't go out with my friends

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