Grammar Tips-Part 1

The following information is used for educational purposes only.






Most / Most of the
Referring to a quantity of an unspecific or specific group

MOST STUDENTS/PEOPLE… MOST OF THE STUDENTS/PEOPLE…
Use most to refer to a quantity of an unspecific group. We use most when we are speaking in general and do not have a specific group of people or things in mind. Use most of the X to refer to a quantity of a specific group. Note the expression includes a phrase defining the number to a specific group.

Most students ask questions. Most of the students in my English class ask questions.

(most - specific to those who are in my English class)

All students want A's. All of the students in my class want A's.
(all - specific to those who are in my class)

Many students want less homework. Many of the students in my school want less homework.

(many - specific to those who are in my school)

A few of the students had to stay for a review session. (some) A few of the students who have low grades had to stay for a review session.
(a few - specific to those who have low grades)

Few of the students had to stay for a review session. (not many) Few of the students who have low grades had to stay for a review session.
(few - specific to those who have low grades)


Number of
Several vs. Amount


A number of vs. The number of
A NUMBER OF THE NUMBER OF

A number of means several. When a verb follows this phrase, it is plural. The number of states a quantity, an exact or inexact amount. When a verb follows this phrase, it is singular: is (equals, has risen, has decreased, has increased)
A number of students study engineering. (unspecific group) The number of students is forty. (an unspecific group, an exact quantity – forty.)
A number of the students in my class were unregistered. (specific) The number of the students in my class is thirty / low / high.
(a specific group, an exact – thirty – or an inexact quantity – low, high)
A number of the students there received scholarships. (specific) The number of the students in my class is unexpected.
(a specific group, an inexact quantity)
We couldn't count a number of students because they were unregistered. (unspecific group, unknown quantity) We couldn't count the number of students in my class because many were unregistered. (a specific group, an inexact quantity – many.)



Quantity Phrases

Indicating how much or how many
Quantifier vs. Phrase Agreement

QUANTIFIER AGREEMENT PHRASE AGREEMENT
With some quantifier phrases, the quantifier agrees with the verb. With other quantifier phrases, the closest noun in the "of phrase" agrees with the verb.
VERB AGREES WITH QUANTIFIER OF PHRASE
Each kid knows the answer. (always singular)

VERB AGREES WITH PHRASE NOUN
Most of the kids know the answer. (plural)


Each of the kids knows the answer. (always singular)

Most of the class knows the answer. (singular)


quantity (n.) – an amount of something that can be counted or measured
quantify (v.) – to determine, indicate, or express the quantity of


Pattern 1a: Singular Quantifier Agreement

SINGULAR QUANTIFIER QUANTIFIER PHRASE SINGULAR VERB FORM
INDEFINITE GROUP
ANY Any child (ex. Do any children need love?) needs love.
EVERY Every child needs love.
DEFINITE GROUP
EACH/ EACH OF Each child / Each of the children needs love.
ONE / ONE OF *One child / One of my children needs help.
MORE THAN ONE OF More than one of the kids needs help.
NO + ONE — NONE/ NONE OF / NOT ONE OF **None / None of my children needs help.
NEITHER / NEITHER OF (not one or the other)
EITHER / EITHER OF (one or the other – not sure which one) Neither child / Neither of my children wants help.
MUCH OF / LITTLE OF Much of the class wants help.
*One ("a") child needs a cookie. NOT: We want one (1–quantity) child.
**none / none of – Formal usage agrees with the quantifier; informal usage agrees with the noun.



Pattern 1b: Plural Quantifier Agreement

QUANTIFIER QUANTIFIER PHRASE PLURAL VERB FORM
INDEFINITE GROUP
ALL All children (*All child) need love.
MOST Most children (*Most child) need love.
SOME Some children (*Some child) need love.
MANY / SEVERAL / FEW Many children (*Many/*Few child) need love.
MOST Most children need love.

DEFINITE GROUP

BOTH Both children / Both of the children / Both of my children need love.
A COUPLE OF / A GROUP OF / A NUMBER OF / SEVERAL OF/ MANY OF / A FEW OF A couple of the children
( *A number children, *plenty children, but a couple children, a dozen children – no "of".) are absent. (plural)
*Not used. (A plural marker is not used with a singular noun).
**Some child is knocking on the door. (an unknown person)



Pattern 2: Phrase Noun Agreement

QUANTIFIER CLOSEST NOUN IN PHRASE CORRESPONDING VERB FORMS
ALL OF All of the class (sing.)
All of the kids
All kids (pl.) knows the answer. (sing.)
know the answer. (pl.)
know answers. (pl.)
MOST OF / MUCH OF Most / Much of the class (sing.)
Most / Many of the kids (pl.)
Most kids (pl.)
Many kids (pl.) likes mathematics. (sing.)
like mathematics. (pl.)


A LOT OF /A GREAT DEAL OF/ A HALF OF / A MAJORITY OF / PLENTY OF A lot of the work (sing.)
A lot of the assignments (pl.)
Lots of the work (sing.)
Lots of the assignments (pl.) is hard. (sing.)
are hard. (pl.)


SOME OF Some of the garden (sing.)
Some of the plants (pl.)
Some plants (pl.) needs water. (sing.)
need water. (pl.)

HALF OF Half of the book (sing.)
Half of the books (pl.)
*Half books is about China. (sing.)
are about China. (pl.)

TEN PERCENT OF Ten percent of the cost (sing.)
Ten percent of the fees (pl.)
*Ten percent cost is tax. (sing.)
are tax.(pl.)

**NONE OF / NOT ANY OF None of the class (sing.)
None of the children (pl.)
*None children / *None child needs (sing.)
needs (sing.) (formal) / need help. (pl.) (informal)
*Notused
**none / none of – Formal usage agrees with the quantifier; informal usage agrees with the noun.

Negative Addition


Neither…nor
Neither…nor (but not either…or)
NEITHER…NOR EITHER …OR (PREFERENCE!)

Use neither…nor for negative addition: Not X AND not Y. When neither… nor begins a sentence and joins two verbs, the auxillary verb precedes the subject. The expression either…or is not related to neither nor. In contrast, it indicates "no preference", one or the other, or a condition

NOUNS

Neither the movie nor the play was good. (singlar verb form) NOUNS
Either the movie or the play was good. I can't remember.
I liked neither the movie nor the play. I didn't like either the movie or the play. They were both bad.

MODIFIERS

The plot was neither believable nor engaging. MODIFIERS
The plot was either believable or unbelievable depending on the viewer's perspective.
The director spoke neither specifically nor excessively about the project. The director spoke either briefly or excessively about his project depending on how much free time he had. (one or the other)

INFINITIVES & GERUNDS

The actors tried neither to overplay nor to underplay their roles. INFINITIVES & GERUNDS
The actors tried either to overplay or to underplay their roles. (I don't know what they did, but it wasn't effective in the movie.) (one or the other)
They objected to the movie neither following the book nor keeping the central theme.They objected to either following the book or keeping the central theme. (one or the other)

VERBS
I neither liked nor would recommend the movie. VERBS
Either I like a movie or I hate it. There is nothing in-between. (one or the other)
Neither did I like nor would recommend the movie.
Move the auxiliary verb in front of the subject.


Neither…nor Verb Agreement

FORMAL INFORMAL

Neither..nor is used to indicate "not one or the other. The verb agreement is singular. The same word form is used for each item being compared (noun, gerund, infinitive, or phrase.) Informal use of neither..nor is becoming more common and includes using plural nouns "not one or others" or "not some or others". A plural verb is used. In a way, it is like the comparison of "apples and an orange" or visa versa.
Neither I nor my son carries a mobile phone. (a singluar noun.) Neither I nor my sons carry mobile phones. (singular + plural noun)
Neither baggage nor equipment was removed from the building. (a mass noun + a mass noun) Neither my sons nor I carry mobile phones. (plural + singular noun)
Neither I nor my son carries a mobile phone. (singular subject – singular object) Neither the girls nor the boys carry mobile phones. (plural + plural noun)
Neither smoking nor drinking is permitted in his house. (a gerund) Neither smokers nor drinkers are permitted in his house.
Neither before work nor after work is a good time to meet. (an adverb phrase) Neither before work nor after work are good times to meet.


No Preference / Condition

EITHER . . . OR (paired-conjunction) EITHER . . . OR ELSE (conditional clause)
Either you ate the pie or I ate it. I can't remember who did. (one or the other) Either you eat the pie, or (else) I will. (informal Eng. with "either")
You eat the pie, or else I will. (condition, semi-threat)
Either you can eat the pie or I'll eat it. I don't really care who eats it. (no preference) You eat the pie. Otherwise, I will. (condition, alternative)


Common Mistakes

INCORRECT FIXES

*Not only the Grand Canyon is deep but also is wide. Not only is the Grand Canyon deep but also wide. (adjective + adjective)
Not only is the Grand Canyon deep [is], but also it is wide. (clause + clause)
Move the auxiliary verb in front of the subject.
When Not only...but also begins a sentence and joins two verbs, the auxillary verb precedes the subject.
*Not only the jokes but also the dialog were good. Not only the jokes but also the dialog was good. (The verb agrees with closest noun.)
*Neither I took vacation nor I asked for sick leave. Neither did I take vacation, nor did I ask for sick leave.
Move the auxiliary verb in front of the subject.

When Neither...nor begins a sentence and joins two verbs, the auxillary verb precedes the subject.
*Neither I nor my sons carries a mobile phone. (Must compare two singlular item.s) Neither I nor my son carries a mobile phone.
*Yellow highlighted words are examples of incorrect usage.


Little / Few

Indicating insufficient quantity for count and noncount nouns
Little/Few vs. A Little/A few

LITTLE / FEW A LITTLE / A FEW

Use little or few when you are dissatisfied with the amount – it is insufficient. Use a little or a few when you are satisfied with the amount – it is sufficient.
DISSATISFIED

I have little water. (noncount noun)
Little water is left in my glass. (I want more.)
I have few friends. (count noun)
Few people ever call me. (Poor me.) SATISFIED

I have a little water. (noncount noun)
A little water is all I need.
I have a few friends. (count noun)
A few friends are coming over!
insufficient (adj) – not enough; less than desired
Little vs. Few

LITTLE FEW

Use little with a noncount noun in a positive sentence to indicate a small insufficient quantity. Use few with a plural count noun in a positive sentence to indicate a small insufficient number.

A POSITIVE SENTENCE
Little food is in the refrigerator. (singular verb)
There is little food in the refrigerator.
A POSITIVE SENTENCE
Few snacks are in the refrigerator. (plural verb)
There are few snacks in the refrigerator.
A NEGATIVE SENTENCE / A QUESTION
* Little food isn't in the refrigerator. (incorrect – a double negative)
*Is there little food in the refrigerator. (Incorrect – use a little or any.) A NEGATIVE SENTENCE / A QUESTION
*Few snacks aren't in the refrigerator. (incorrect – a double negative)
*Are there few snacks in the refrigerator. (Incorrect – use a few or some.)
*Yellow highlighted words are examples of incorrect usage.

A LITTLE A FEW

Use a little with a noncount noun – in a question, a positive, or a negative sentence – to indicate a small, sufficient quantity. Use a few with a plural count noun – in a question, a positive, or a negative sentence – to indicate a small, sufficient quantity.

A POSITIVE SENTENCE

A little milk is in my glass. (singular verb)
There is a little milk in my glass. A POSITIVE SENTENCE
A few cookies are on my plate. (plural verb)
There are a few cookies on my plate.

A NEGATIVE SENTENCE / A QUESTION

A little milk isn't in my glass. (Somebody drank some.)
Is a little milk missing? A NEGATIVE SENTENCE / A QUESTION
A few cookies are not on my plate. (Somebody ate them.)
Are a few cookies missing?

Little / Few

Sufficient vs. Insufficient
A Few vs. Few

FEW – INSUFFICIENT A FEW – SUFFICIENT
Use few to mean "not many, not enough" (insufficient). Use a few to mean "not many but enough" (sufficient).
Few people are able to give to food programs this year. (not many)
The Bank received few donations.
Fortunately, few families will without a holiday meal.
A few people will help collect food for the Food Bank. (enough)
The Food Bank received a few very large checks.
Unfortunately, a few families will go without a holiday meal.
a food bank – a program in several community that collects food from grocery stores, restaurants and neighbors and gives it to people who need food.



Little vs. A Little

LITTLE– INSUFFICIENT A LITTLE – SUFFICIENT
Use little to mean "not much, not enough". The speaker is unhappy about it. Use a little to mean "not much but enough". The speaker is OK with it.
Little help is being received this year. (not much)
The usual donors are able to give little food.
People will have to get by with little assistance.
A little help will come from corporate donations.
Restaurants and grocery stores will give a little food.
People will have to get by with a little assistance. (enough)
get by (expression) – have less; have barely enough; survive




Much / Many

Indicating quantity for count and noncount nouns
Much / Many in Questions & Negative statements

MUCH MANY
Use much with a noncount noun to indicate a large quantity. Use much in a negative sentence or a question. Use many with a plural count noun to indicate a large number. Use many in a negative sentence or question.

A NEGATIVE SENTENCE / A QUESTION

Not much food is in the refrigerator.
Is there much food in the refrigerator? A NEGATIVE SENTENCE / A QUESTION
Not many snacks are in the refrigerator.
Are there many snacks in the refrigerator?


Much / Many in Positive Statements
MUCH MANY
Much is uncommonly used in a positive sentence except for scholarly contexts such as medical journals or reference books. Reword the sentence using some or a lot of. Many is uncommonly used in a positive sentence except for scholarly contexts such as medical journals or reference books. Reword the sentence using several or a lot of.

A POSITIVE SENTENCE

* Much food is in the refrigerator. (Incorrect – use some or a lot of)
Some food is in the refrigerator.
A lot of food is in the refrigerator.
Much food can be preserved in a refrigerator. (Use in a scholarly context only.)
A POSITIVE SENTENCE
*Many snacks are in the refrigerator. (Use a lot of , several)
Several snacks are in the refrigerator.
A lot of snacks are in the refrigerator.
Many snacks have high amounts of sodium. (scholarly context)
*Yellow highlighted words are examples of incorrect usage.

Much / Many

Phrases
Much of / Many of
MUCH OF MANY OF
Use much of before a, an, or the + a singular count or noncount noun to indicate a portion of something. Use singular verb agreement. Use many of before the + plural count noun to indicate a quantity of items in the group. Use plural verb agreement.
Much of the food is fresh. (positive sentence)
Much of the food isn't fresh. (negative sentence)
Is much of the food fresh? (question)
How much of a watermelon can you eat? Many of the snacks are fresh. (positive)
Many of the snacks aren't fresh. (negative)
Are many of the snacks fresh? (question)
— "How many of some…" is not used.


So Much / So Many

SO MUCH – SINGULAR SO MANY – PLURAL
Use so much with a noncount noun and a singular verb. So much emphasizes quantity. Use so many with a count noun and a plural verb. . So many emphasizes quantity.
So much chicken is left over from las night.
We ate so much chicken last night.
Not so much chicken was eaten / We didn't eat so much chicken. So many french fries are fattening.
We ate so many french fries last night.
Not so many fries were eaten. We didn't eat so many fries.

Much more / Many more
MUCH MORE MANY MORE
Use much more with a noncount noun to emphasize the quantity or make a comparison. Use a singular verb. Use many more with a plural count noun to emphasize quantity or make a comparison. Use a plural verb.
Much more food is in our refrigerator. (emphasis on how much)
You eat much more food than I do. (comparison of how much) Many more eggs are needed for this recipe.
You eat many more eggs than I do each week.


So Much / Such
SO MUCH … THAT SUCH … THAT
Use so much to emphasize the quantity of a noncount noun. (singular verb) Use such … that to emphasize quality of a count or noncount verb. (The verb agrees with the noun of the such-phrase.)
So much delicious food is sold there that we can buy a lot of it. Such delicious food is sold there that we enjoy every mouthful.
So much fresh seafood is sold there that we can buy a lot of it. Such fresh seafood is sold there that it tastes as if it was just caught.
Such sweet cherries are sold there that we buy a lot of them.




Conditionals (Hypotheticals)


Real or True Conditions

Present & Future Real Conditionals: stating facts and predictions under specific conditions
• Present & Future – Real
• Commas
• Other Wording
• Should / Happen
• Request-If you will
• Refusal-If you won't
• Common Mistakes
• Shortened Clauses
• Am going to / Am to
• If necessary…
• Practice 1 – multiple choice
• Practice 2 – multiple choice

If there are no bees, flowers will not be pollinated. (future - cause effect prediction)
If I am going to help, you need to give me your full attention. (intent)
If I am to help, you need to give me your full attention.
If you will step this way please. (request)
If you will only try a little harder, you will succeed. (indirect request)
If you won't work harder, then you will continue to fail.
If you are unwilling to work harder, then you will continue to fail.


Present & Past Real Conditionals: stating habits and customs under specific conditons
• If / Whenever – Real
• Present & Past – Real
• Commas – Clause Position
• Would – meanings
• Practice – multiple choice



If I go shopping, I take a cloth bag.
If we went shopping, the store gave us a bag.
Whenever, we go shopping, we walk.


Unreal / Hypothetical Conditions
Present Unreal Conditionals: stating strategy with hypothetical statements
• Present Unreal
• Were & Would – Clauses
• Mixed Time Frames
• If it hadn't been for
• If I were to
• Practice – multiple choice




If I moved my pawn forward, then I could take his bishop.
Past Unreal Conditionals 1: analyzing with hypothetical statements
• Analysis / Hypotheticals
• Commas
• Common Mistakes
• If/ Even if/ Only if/ Otherwise
• Clause Order & Wording
• Practice – multiple choice

If the second engine hadn't caught fire, the plane could have made an emergency landing.


Conditions — Analysis, Options and Advice
Past Unreal Conditionals 2: analyzing an accident
• Hypothetical Statements (analysis activity)
• Sentence Structure
• Clause Order
• Practice – multiple choice


If the night watchmen had had binoculars, they would have been able to spot the iceberg earlier.
The captain could have steered directly into the iceberg causing less damage.
The Titanic should have had more lifeboats.


Should/Could have: late advice
• Options & Advice Not Taken
• Could have
• Could have – 2 Meanings
• Should have
• Practice – multiple choice

Passengers could have taken other smaller transatlantic ships.
The captain could have chosen a more southern transatlantic route.

The owners should have supplied enough lifeboats for everyone .



Mixed Tenses: hypothetical situations in mixed time frames




• WhenPast Affects Present
• General Truth
• Practice 1 – multiple choice
• Practice 2 – multiple choice

If you had fed the dog, she wouldn't be hungry now. (regret)

If I had known (that) your dog was / is aggressive, I wouldn't have offered to feed it. (noun clause – existing truth – The dog was agressive then and still is now.)
If I had known (that) your dog was ill, I would have offered to help it. (noun clause – earlier truth – The dog was ill at that time.)

Implied Conditions: a real or unreal situation?
• Were conditions favorable?
• Practice – multiple choice

Jack will cut the grass if he has time. (present)
(He doesn't know if he has time yet - maybe.)
Jack would cut the grass if he had time. (present)
(He doesn't have time.)


Conditional Wishes


Wishes: expressing wishes and regrets
• Present Wishes
• Past Wishes
• Regret v. Upset
• Lost Opportunity v. Upset
• Wish vs. If only
• Practice – multiple choice

We wish to go with you. (direct request / demand)
I wish I were home in my country. (a private thought; longing)
I wish I could go with you. (an excuse or an expression of regret)
I wish you would let me pay for dinner. (pretend regret, or upset)
I wish you'd turn that TV off! (low expectation request; anger)

Wish Agreement: tense agreement in conditional statements

• Wishes – Past Agreement
• Wishes – Present Agreement
• Wish – Real
• Wish (that) / infinitive
• Common Mistakes
• Practice – multiple choice

My father wished he had gone to college. (I regret he didn't.)
My father wished that I would go to graduate school. (I did.)
I wish father had understood my appreciation.(I regret he didn't.)
I wish my son understood his grandfather's efforts. (He doesn't.)
I wish my son would understand the importance of hard work. (He might one day.)


Conditional Connectors

If/Unless: expressing a specific condition for an outcome
• If / Unless
• Emphasis
• Tense Agreement
• Connectors – Condition v. Outcome
• Only If
• Only If / If Only
• Even if / Whether
• Practice – multiple choice

If you cook your turkey like this, you will have a tender turkey. (if this condition is met)
Only if you cook your turkey like this, will you have a delicious dinner. (under this condition - emphasizes this specific condition) .
Unless you cook your turkey like this, you will have a tough turkey. (if this condition is not met)
Cook your turkey like this. Otherwise, you will have a tough turkey. (if using other methods)




If/Whether: is it a condition or an alternative?
• Condition v. Alternative
• Two Alternative Options
• Whether after Prepositions
• Whether before Infinitives
• I don't know if/whether
• Formal / Informal
• Initial Sent. Position
• Practice – multiple choice

I don't know if my cell phone will work here.

I don't know whether my cell phone will work here.

I don't know whether my cell phone will work if I use it here.


Omitting if: giving advice in hypothetical situations
• Were/ Had/ Should
• Word Order Inversion
• If / Incase
• Practice – multiple choice

If I were/was you, I wouldn't get involved.

Were I you, I wouldn't get involved.

Had I known, I would have said something.

Should you see him again, call me immediately.


If / In Case: stating a conditioned vs. a precautionary action

• Condition v. Precaution
• Tense Agreement
• Commas
• Common Mistakes
• Practice 1 – multiple choice
• Practice 2 – multiple choice

Keep some extra batteries and bottled water In case there is an earthquake.
Get away from falling objects if there is an earthquake.


Related Topics



Would: stating preference, request, habit or excuse

• Past Activity v. Habit
• Excuse v. Past Preference
• Practice 1 – multiple choice
• Practice 2 – multiple choice

Would you like some coffee?
Would you rather have tea or coffee?
On Sundays, we would visit our relatives
I would have stopped smoking, but it was too difficult.
I would rather have found an easy way out, but I didn't.


Will / Would: expressing intent or refusal
• Intent – Pres. / Past
• Refusal – Pres. / Past
• Practice – multiple choice

I will win this singing contest!
I thought that I would win that contest.
The judges won't vote for me. They refuse.
The judges wouldn't vote for me. They refused.



Source: www.grammar-quizzes.com