Determiners used with countable and uncountable nouns

1. lots/a lot of + plural countable and uncountable nouns (informal)

– I’ve got lots/a lot of homework, so I can’t go out.
– I’ve got lots/a lot of brothers and sisters.

2. much + uncountable nouns

– We don’t have much homework.
– How much money do you need?

3. many + plural countable nouns

– How many bags have you got?
– There are many interesting places in the world.

4. little, a little, a bit of + uncountable nouns

a) a little, a bit of means at least some

– Just a little rice, please – not too much.
– I’ve got a bit of money, but not enough to get a taxi.

b) little without a means almost none. This can be emphasised with very

– This government has done very little to improve the situation.

Determiners used with countable and uncountable nouns

5. few, a few + plural countable nouns (= some but not many)

a) Before few you can use

The indefinite article a

– There were quite a few people in the room.
– There were only a few people staying at the hotel.

The last, the first, the next, every

– Over the next few weeks, we have a lot to get ready.
– For the first few minutes, you may feel a bit nervous.
– I phone her every few days.

b) When few is used without a, it means almost no. This can be emphasised with very

(Very) few people know the secret.

6. some + uncountable nouns and plural nouns (= between a little and a lot)

– There’s some useful information on that website.
– There are some good scenes in that film.

Note: If some is stressed in speaking, it often means not many.

– I suppose he’s written some good books.

7. hardly any + uncountable nouns and plural countable nouns

– There were hardly any customers in the shop.

8. no, not any + uncountable nouns are plural countable nouns

– There was no milk left. / There wasn’t any milk left.
– There were no students on the bus. / There weren’t any students on the bus.



Determiners used with countable and uncountable nouns publicat: 2022-02-28T10:04:36+02:00, actualizat: 2022-02-28T11:01:11+02:00 by Colegiu.info