The Grammaring Guide to English Grammar with Exercises

Determiners with countable and uncountable nouns (SOME, ANY, NO, MANY, MUCH, FEW, LITTLE etc.)

Determiners precede and modify nouns. Some determiners can only be used with countable or uncountable nouns, while others can be used with both. Countable nouns take a singular or plural form depending on the determiner which precedes them.

A, AN

with singular countable nouns: A man and a woman came in.

I heard an interesting story at the office yesterday.

THE

with singular or plural countable nouns: He showed me around the house.

The apples were peeled and quartered.

with singular uncountable nouns: She jumped into the water.

the zero article

with singular or plural countable nouns: I'm going to bed early.

Mondays are always busy here.

with singular uncountable nouns: A magnet attracts iron.

THIS, THAT

with singular countable nouns: This film was good.

I like that shirt.

with singular uncountable nouns: Where did you buy this wine?

That cheese smells delicious.

THESE, THOSE

with plural countable nouns: Can I try on these jeans?

How do you like those cherries?

SOME, ANY, NO

with singular countable nouns: I was just talking to some guy from school.

Any sensible person would have done the same.

I am no scientist.

with plural countable nouns: I have some problems.

I don't have any problems.

I have no problems.

with singular uncountable nouns: I have some time.

I don't have any time.

I have no time.

EVERY

with singular countable nouns: Every cloud has a silver lining.

FEW, A FEW, FEWER, THE FEWEST

with plural countable nouns: There were few people at the concert. (not many)

There were a few people at the concert. (some)

We had fewer computers a year ago.

This medicine has the fewest side effects.

LITTLE, A LITTLE, LESS, THE LEAST

with singular uncountable nouns: There is little hope that he will survive. (not much)

There is a little hope that he will survive. (some)

Tim should spend less time on the computer.

This medicine does the least harm.

MANY, MORE, (THE) MOST, MOST OF THE

with plural countable nouns: There were not many people at the concert. (few)

More people came to the concert than expected.

Most mammals live on land.

Tom got the most votes.

Most of the visitors were art students.

MUCH, MORE, (THE) MOST, MOST OF THE

with singular uncountable nouns: There is not much hope that he will survive. (little)

There is more hope that he will survive.

Most furniture is made of wood.

Which candy bar has the most sugar in it?

Most of the time I'm not at home.

A LOT OF, LOTS OF, PLENTY OF

with plural countable nouns: There are a lot of tables and chairs in the room.

There are lots of tables and chairs in the room.

There are plenty of tables and chairs in the room.

with singular uncountable nouns: We have a lot of space in the car.

We have lots of space in the car.

We have plenty of space in the car.

A NUMBER OF

with plural countable nouns: A number of questions arose at the meeting.

AN AMOUNT OF

with singular uncountable nouns: The word budget means an amount of money we have available to spend.

ANOTHER

with singular countable nouns: Can you think of another example?

OTHER

with plural countable nouns: Other boys would have done the same.

with singular uncountable nouns: Is there other software available?

THE OTHER

with singular or plural countable nouns: I'd prefer the other car.

The other students went home.

with singular uncountable nouns: The other news is that they are getting married in June.

ENOUGH

with plural countable nouns: Do you have enough pens for everyone?

with singular uncountable nouns: Is there enough milk in the fridge?

ALL, ALL THE

with plural countable nouns: All students must take a placement test at the beginning of the course.

I couldn't answer all the questions.

with singular uncountable nouns: Not all coffee is bitter.

The robber took all the money.

BOTH

with plural countable nouns: Both sides wanted peace.

EITHER, NEITHER

with singular countable nouns: You can choose either way.

Neither player has won the game.

NONE OF THE

with plural countable nouns: Luckily, none of the soldiers were killed.

with singular uncountable nouns: None of the music they played attracted me.

EACH

with singular countable nouns: Each question carries one mark.

Quotes:

Some people are always grumbling because roses have thorns; I am thankful that thorns have roses. - Alphonse Karr

If you don't think every day is a good day, just try missing one. - Cavett Robert

Some days there won't be a song in your heart. Sing anyway. - Emory Austin

Live every day as if it were going to be your last; for one day you're sure to be right. - Harry "Breaker" Harbord Morant

Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up. - Pablo Picasso

Some things have to be believed to be seen. - Ralph Hodgson

Every English poet should master the rules of grammar before he attempts to bend or break them. - Robert Graves

A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty. - Winston Churchill

Knowledge is learning something every day. Wisdom is letting go of something every day. - Zen saying