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kid - hand raisedQuantity of

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 of the kids knows the answer. (always singular)
arrow indicates one and knows agrees

VERB AGREES WITH PHRASE NOUN

Most of the kids know the answer.  (plural)
move overarrow indicates one and knows agrees

 

Most of the class knows the answer. (singular)
move overarrow indicates one and knows agrees

 

 

 

Pattern 1:  Quantifier  Agreement
QUANTIFIER   QUANTIFIER PHRASE   SINGULAR VERB FORM  

EVERY / EACH / ANY

Every child

needs love.

ONE OF / EACH OF / EVERY ONE OF / NONE OF / NOT ONE OF 

One of my children

needs help.

NEITHER OF   

Neither of my children 

wants help.

MORE THAN ONE OF  
 

More than one of the kids

needs help.

Also see: (neither...nor)    

 

 

Pattern 2: Phrase Noun Agreement
QUANTIFIER   CLOSEST NOUN IN PHRASE   CORRESPONDING VERB FORMS  

ALL OF 

All of the class 
All of the kids 

knows the answer.   (singular)
know the answer.    (plural)

MOST OF /   MANY OF /

Most of the class 
Most of the kids 

likes mathematics.   (singular)
like mathematics.    (plural)

SEVERAL    

A number of children 
 

are absent.  (plural)  

SOME OF 

Some of the garden
Some of the plants 

needs water.(singular)
need water.  (plural)

HALF OF  

Half of the book 
Half of the books 

is about China. (singular)
need repairing.  (plural)

TEN PERCENT OF

Ten percent of the cost
Ten percent of the fees

is tax. (singular)
are tax. (plural)

A COUPLE OF / A GROUP OF / A LOT OF / A HALF OF / A MAJORITY OF / A NUMBER OF / A GREAT DEAL OF


A couple of the students


are
absent. (plural)

*NONE OF / NOT ANY OF

None of the children 

needs help. (singular) (formal)
need help.    (plural)  (informal) 

A NUMBER OF / A LOT OF / SEVERAL OF/ PLENTY OF

A number of children 
 

are absent.  (plural)  

none – Formal usage is singular; informal usage is plural.

Also see Much / Many, Little / Few and Most /Most of the     

 

 

 

 

Quantity of

Negative

 

 

NOT QUANTITY OF THE NOT A UNIT OF (THE)

Use a negative word before a quantity of expression to indicate little or none.

Use not a before a unit amount to indicate few or none.  Optionally, use the before the noun.

There's not much of the toilet paper left. / Little of the toilet paper is left. (some)

There's not a lot of toilet paper left.  (some)

Not any of the toilet paper is left.  (no amount)

Not a sheet of toilet paper is left.  (0 pieces)

None of the toilet paper is left.

Not a one/ a bit/ a piece is left.  one (pronoun) – refers to sheet

Also see Quantifier Unit –negative 

 

 

 

runnersCompare

Similar but different

 

 

 

Each / Each of
EACH EACH OF

Each is followed by a singular noun and singular verb. Each takes the place of a determiner (the, his, her, their, your)

Each of is followed by a plural noun but a singular verbEach of is followed by a determiner or possessive pronoun (the, his, her, their, your)

Each runner is taking his place at the start line of the race.

Each of the runners is taking his place at the start line of the race.

Each person wants to succeed.
 

Each of the persons / the people wants to succeed.

 

hula hoop

 

 

 

A number of / 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 hula hoops are pink. 

The number of hula hoops is fifteen.  

We saw a number of hula hoops.  (several) 

We saw the number of  hula hoops. (Use a BE verb.)
We saw that the number of hula hoops was rather small. /We noticed the number of hula hoops. (the overall amount)

A number of hula hoops have disappeared. (are missing)

The number of hula hoops has increased

Also see:  A number of / The number of  (articles)   

 

 

 

 

 Practice 1

 

 

 

Choose the answer that best completes the sentence. * indicates an incorrect answer. 

 

# IMAGE FEEDBACK YOUR RESPONSE

1.

calendar  

2.

 
3. guy in hammock
   

4.

 

5.

flipping calendar

6.

cell phone

7.

watering can
8. man eating plant  
 

9.

 

10.

book with pages flipping           

 

 

 

 

 

thinkPractice 2

Quantifiers with Count Nouns

 

 

 

Some of the sentences below are correct, some are not.  Which quantifier can be used with each count-noun?

  1. Click the check the box to the right of the sentence IF the quantifier can be used with the noun.
  2. Check your answer:  * indicates an incorrect selection.
# SENTENCE CHECK BOX IF SENTENCE IS CORRECT FEEDBACK
1. Martha has two suggestions.
2. Martha has several dreams.  
3. Martha has some thoughts.
4. Martha has a lot of beliefs.
5. Martha has too much plansw.
6. Martha has too many opinions.
7. Martha has few opportunities.
8. Martha has a little impressions.
9. Martha has a number of concepts.
10. Martha has a great deal of ideas.
11. Martha has hardly any reactions.
12. Martha has no feelings.
13. Martha has plenty of objections.
   

 

 

 

 

 

 

BillPractice 3

Quantifiers with Noncount Nouns

 

 

 

 

Which quantifiers can be used with these noncount-nouns?

  1. Click the check the box to the right of the sentence IF the quantifier can be used with the noun. Some of the sentences below are correct, some are not.
  2. Check your answer:  * indicates an incorrect selection.
# SENTENCE CHECK BOX IF SENTENCE IS CORRECT FEEDBACK
1. Bill has two advice.
2. Bill has several happiness.
3. Bill has some fun.
4. Bill has a lot of honesty.
5. Bill has too much help.
6. Bill has too many luck.
7. Bill has a few knowledge.
8. Bill has a little time.
9. Bill has a number of difficulty.
10. Bill has a great deal of intelligence.
11. Bill has hardly any space.
12. Bill has no progress.
13. Bill has plenty of energy.