Skip to content
Zorg Space Open the app

English grammar

How much, how many, and how little

B2 · Upper intermediate Nouns and describing Questions 10

The rule

The pairs that matter at B2 are the ones where the article changes the meaning. A few is some and is positive; few is almost none and is negative — and the same for a little and little. Most people is a generalisation; most of the people is a subset of a known group. Each looks at members one at a time and every looks at the whole set. None of takes a singular verb in careful writing. Both, neither and either cover exactly two and nothing else.

Pattern

a few / few · a little / little · most (general) / most of the (specific) · each (one by one) / every (the whole set) · none of + singular verb

Examples

  1. A few tenants complained, which was enough to start an inspection.

  2. Few tenants complained, so the problem went unrecorded.

  3. Most of the flats in this block have the same fault.

  4. None of the three quotes includes the scaffolding.

Common mistakes

  • Wrong: There is a little chance of a refund now.

    Right: There is little chance of a refund now.

    a little is positive; little means almost none.

  • Wrong: Most of people think it is too expensive.

    Right: Most people think it is too expensive.

    A general claim takes most with no of the.

  • Wrong: Every of the four options costs more.

    Right: Each of the four options costs more.

    each of exists; every of does not.

Practice questions

Try each one yourself first, then open “Show answer” for the solution and the reason.

  1. 1Choose the correct sentence.

    1. Few people bothered to reply.
    2. A few people bothered to reply, which was disappointing.
    3. Little people bothered to reply.
    4. The few people bothered to reply.
    Show answer

    Answer: A Few people bothered to reply.

    few carries the negative sense.

  2. 2Choose the correct sentence.

    1. We have a little time before the meeting.
    2. We have few time before the meeting.
    3. We have a few time before the meeting.
    4. We have little time before the meeting, so relax.
    Show answer

    Answer: A We have a little time before the meeting.

    a little is a usable amount.

  3. 3Choose the correct sentence.

    1. Every of the applicants was interviewed separately.
    2. Each the applicants was interviewed separately.
    3. Each of the applicants were interviewed separately.
    4. Each of the applicants was interviewed separately.
    Show answer

    Answer: D Each of the applicants was interviewed separately.

    each of plus a singular verb.

  4. 4Fill in the gap.

    _____ of the two options is cheap.

    1. Neither
    2. None
    3. No one
    4. Either not
    Show answer

    Answer: A Neither of the two options is cheap.

    neither covers exactly two.

  5. 5Fill in the gap.

    She has _____ experience of this kind of work.

    1. a few
    2. a little of
    3. few
    4. little
    Show answer

    Answer: D She has little experience of this kind of work.

    An uncountable negative quantity.

  6. 6Fill in the gap.

    _____ of the money has been spent yet.

    1. None
    2. No one
    3. Nothing
    4. Neither
    Show answer

    Answer: A None of the money has been spent yet.

    none of before an uncountable noun.

  7. 7Fill in the gap.

    _____ the reports mentions the roof.

    1. None of the
    2. Both of
    3. Neither of
    4. Either the
    Show answer

    Answer: C Neither of the reports mentions the roof.

    Two reports take neither of.

  8. 8Fill in the gap.

    He answered _____ question in one sentence.

    1. every
    2. most of
    3. all
    4. each of
    Show answer

    Answer: A He answered every question in one sentence.

    every before a singular noun.

  9. 9This sentence is wrong. Choose the fix.

    Which sentence is wrong?

    1. A little information reached us.
    2. A few of information reached us.
    3. Little information reached us.
    4. A few facts reached us.
    Show answer

    Answer: B A few of information reached us.

    information is uncountable.

  10. 10This sentence is wrong. Choose the fix.

    Which sentence is wrong?

    1. The majority of people would agree.
    2. Most of people would agree with that.
    3. Most people would agree with that.
    4. Most of the people in this room would agree.
    Show answer

    Answer: B Most of people would agree with that.

    of needs a determiner after it.

Practise this lesson in Zorg Space

In the app every rule becomes interactive practice: instant correction, reviews at the moment you are about to forget, and progress you can see from level to level — free.

Start for free

More in «Nouns and describing»