DIFFERENCE IN USES OF DIFFERENT WORDS

DIFFERENCE IN USES OF DIFFERENT WORDS

FEW (almost none): It has negative force.  It is used with countable noun.

FEW+ PLURAL NOUN + PLURAL VERB

Few boys are present in the class. Very few members agreed at the proposal.Few friends are ready to help the boy. I have few relatives. He has few rivals in the class.

A FEW (some): It has positive force.

A few boys are present in the class today. A few girls have brought flowers with them.

THE FEW (not many but all): The few boys are present in the class, are ready to continue their lessons. The few mangoes which I bought were very sweet.

LITTLE (almost nothing): It has negative force. It is used with uncountable noun.

LITTLE +SINGULAR NOUN + SINGULAR VERB

 There is little water in the pond. I have little time to waste.

A LITTLE (small quantity): A little effort will help you score good marks. There is a little room in the bus.

THE LITTLE (not much but all): The little water in the glass will fill my thirsty. The little rice I have for lunch, Will be shared.

A LOT OF/ LOTS OF + singular subject + singular verbs.

A lot of time has been spent to settle the problem. A lot of / lots of money has been spent for his treatment.

A LOT OF/ LOTS OF + plural subject + plural verb.

Ex: A lot of people / lots of people are coming to attend the meeting.

There are a lot of books / lots of books in the library. He makes mistakes lots of times (occasion).

SOMETIME ( formerly): He had been sometime a manager in the farm.

SOME TIME (period of time):  I have been waiting here for some time. Rest for some time. Keep quiet for some time.

SOMETIMES (occasionally): He is sometimes very rude. Sometimes I visit our relatives.

MUCH: It denotes quantity. He gave me much trouble. I am much surprised. MUCH money has been lost.

MANY: It denotes number.

MANY + PLURAL NOUN + PLURAL VERB.

Many books are lying scattered on the floor. There are many people who do not believe in ghosts.

TOO( excess): It refers to beyond limits. It is used with infinitive.

I am too weak to walk any longer. The boy is too old to reach the branch of the tree.

ENOUGH: It refers to exact/ necessary limit.

Ex: He is qualified enough to perform the duties. The man is brave enough to tell the truth.

A MANY: A + great + many + plural noun + plural verb.

Ex: A great many houses were destroyed in the flood.

MANY A: MANY A + SINGULAR NOUN + SINGULAR VERB.

Many a flower blooms unseen. Many a man has accepted the truth.

Many an actor fails to express their feelings.

EACH (one f two or more):

EACH + SINGULAR NOUN + SINGULAR VERB

Ex: Each boy was given a pen. Each of the two sons is very intelligent. Each boy and each girl is willing to participate in the program.

EVERY (more than two): Every student out of five has scored well. Everybody is very interested in music. Everybody must do his duty.

ANYONE: It is singular in form. It takes a singular verb.

Anyone is allowed here. Anyone who wants to be happy must work hard. Will anyone give his copy to me?

ANY ONE: It refers to things or one in number.

Any one of the two boys is allowed to go out. Any one of the bats will help me.

ANY: It is used in negative and Interrogative sentences.

Ex: Do you have any problem if I call you at night?  I don't have any problem. Do you love any letter? I love, but I don't have any.

SOME: It is used in affirmative sentence and Interrogative sentence expressing command.

Ex: Mother gave me some chocolates to share with my friends. I bought some story books from the fair. Could you lend me some money? (Please lend me some money).