2.1 always go to work by train. It's much more relaxing that going by car. You can look at the countryside or read a newspaper, and there's usually ... interesting to talk to. When I go to work early, I am often alone and there is ... else on the train. But when the waiter walks through and asks: «Does ... want tea or coffee?», I feel better.
4.4. INDEFINITE PRONOUNS MUCH, MANY, A LOT OF
4.4.1. Study the use of the pronouns much, many, a lot of.
Are there many plants in the city? He doe т 't have many friends Is there much snow on the ground? We haven 't much money left. He's read a lot of English classics. I've got a lot of work to do this morning.
- with countable nouns - with uncountable nouns
- и ith both countable and uncountable nouns
Note: The indefinite pronouns much and many are used
preferably in questions and negative sentences. Much and
many are used in affirmative sentences when they are
preceded by too or so.
I have too many problems on my hands.
I have so many offers that I don't know what decision to
take.
4.4.2. Complete the sentences with much, many, a lot of.
1. There isn't... international news in the local paper. 2. In the last twenty-four hours too ... things happened. 3. There is too ... sugar in my coffee. 4. Are there ... students among your friends? 5.1 don't have ...patience with incompetence. 6. His work is well-paid but doesn't give him ... satisfaction. 7. Martin spent... time in hospital last year. 8. You'll have to work at English as ... as possible. 9. Does she have ... spare time now? 10.1 haven't... time for study and that's why I have so ... mistakes in my homework. 11. Please don't make so ... noise. Father is working. 12. There isn't ... furniture in the flat. 13. Have you got... work to do tonight? 14.1 have so ...things to do that I don't know which to do first. 15.1 haven't met... of these people. 16. He didn't earn ... money and lived in a small house. 17. How ... of these books have you read? 18. There are too ... things he can't explain. 19. There isn't... time to catch the train. 20. He didn't earn ... money and couldn't rent a big flat. 21. How ... does it cost? 22. The doctor has so ... patients that he has to work at least 12 hours a day. 23. I think there's too ... violence on television. 24. How ... progress has your country made in improving the quality of medical care? 25.1 found ... information in this book.
4.5. INDEFINITE PRONOUNS LITTLE, FEW, A LITTLE, A FEW
4.5.1. Study the use of the pronouns little, few, a little, a few.
I received a few letters yesterday.
There are few job opportunities here.
Very few customers complained about the price.
Ttiere is still a little snow on the roofs of the houses.
There isn 't much food left. There's only a little.
They won't win. There is too little hope.
Note: Few, little are used to emphasize the fact that the quantity is small.
The weather was rainy, so very few people came to
see the match.
There's little time. We must hurry up.
A few, a little are used to state the positive fact that there is some quantity.
I have a little time, so we can sit and talk for a while.
Note: After very, too, so only little and few can be used while after 'only' a little, a few are typical.
She did very little work during the term. I won't be surprised if she fails her exams. There isn't much new information in the article. There's only a little.
4.5.2. Complete the sentences with little, few, a little, a few.
1. There was very ... snow that winter. 2. When she sold her house she only took ... furniture with her and ... personal possessions. 3. Very ... people know about it. 4. John has too much money and too ... sense. 5. I'd like to ask you ... questions. 6. He's got a lot of stamps in his collection but his brother has .... 7. He worked hard but achieved .... 8. He is not sociable. He has ... friends. 9. I enjoy my life here. I have ... friends and we have a lot of fun together. 10.1 saw Tom only ... days ago. 11. There's been a shortage of water because there has been very ... rain recently. 12. Pass me the jug please. There's ... milk in my coffee. 13. She can ski... but she can't skate. 14.1 don't think he can afford it. He earns very .... 15. There's no need to hurry. We still have ... minutes left. 16. It was very cheap. It only cost... pounds. 17. I tried to help but there was ... I could do. 18. He said very ..., practically nothing in fact. 19. He's not well-known.... have heard of him. 20.1 can't decide now. I need ... time to think it over. 21. He expected ... people, but no one came. 22. ... customers have come in and spent ... money, but on the whole trade has been rather dull 23. The group have brought very... luggage, only ... suitcases. but I'll need ... help to carry them up the stairs, because some of them are heavy. 24. He is very successful even though he has very ... education. 25. Jack is usually very helpful but he had ... advice for us this time. 26. If your door squeaks, put... oil on the hinges. 27. We did very ... business during the recession but... customers continued to spend .. money on jewellery. 28. This car isn't expensive to run. It uses ... petrol. 29. This town isn't well-known and there isn't much to see. ... tourists come here. 30. ... people voted for him; he is not popular.
4.6. INDEFINITE PRONOUNS BOTH, EITHER, NEITHER, NONE
4.6.1. Study the following examples showing the use of the pronouns both, either, neither, none, either ... or, neither ... nor.
Both these hotels are verv good. Both of these hotels are very good. Both of us (them) can speak English. Both Ann and Peter are fond of skating. Both the hotels are very good. You can stay at either of them.
I don't know what she does. She is either a secretary or a nurse.
Both the hotels are good. Neither of them is too expensive.
He is neither British nor American. He's Australian. Is he British or American?- Neither. He's Australian. None of the children like milk.
Note: Both, either, neither are used when we are talking about two things. After either, neither the verb is used in the singular form.
Both the girls speak French. Neither of them speaks English.
After none the verb can be used both in the singular and in the plural forms. A plural verb is more usual.
None of my friends are keen on football.
4.6.2. Complete the following sentences with the suitable pronouns.
1. It was a very good football match.... of the teams played very well. 2. Which of the two films do you prefer? The first one or the second one? - Actually I didn't like ... of them. 3. We didn't like the hotel. It was ... clean ... comfortable. 4. He lost... his book and his glasses. 5.... of the two pictures is satisfactory. 6. Do you mind which sandwich I take? -No, take ... . 7. ... of the people I met were English. 8.1 like both jackets. I'll take ... of them. 9. We couldn't go to a restaurant because ... of us had any money. 10. Is it your car or your sister's? - .... It's my father's. 11. He took the open book in ... his hands and came to her side. 12. ... of his opponents spoke at the meeting. 13. I think we are ... a little bit overtired. 14. We took a few photographs but... of them were very good. 15. ... of my family are rich. 16. Have your parents got a car? - No,... of them can drive. 17.... the train and the bus stops at Winsford, so it's best to come ... by car ... by underground. 18. I think they are both very impolite.... Bob ... Jenny replied to my invitation. 19.... you keep quiet... I'll have to ask you to leave. 20. I am looking for opportunities ... in this country ... abroad. 21.1 received two job offers, ... of which I accepted. 22. Jerry is engaged in several business ventures. ... of them is profitable. 23. The couple living in the house next door are ... college professors. 24. I didn't meet ... his sister ... his brother. 25. Most of the students read ... the books but they didn't find anything very useful. 26. Which of these shirts would you prefer?- ... will do. 27. ... of these hotels are good, ... of them would be all right. 28.... my wife and I like French cooking. 29.... of the boys have ever driven a tractor.