A few, few, a little, little, a lot of/lots of, much, many, plenty of... (English Smart Note) with Grade 12 University Entrance Exam Questions (Quantifiers: Smart Note-1)

Quantifiers: Smart Note-1: A few, few, a little, little, a lot of, lots of, many, much....

By Million Abebe (Masters in English and B. Ed. Degree in Pedagogy)

General Overview: 3 key issues must be read!

Dear students/anyone reading this material, before directly starting 'Smart Note-1', read the next 3 key general issues!

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1. A few, few, a little and little

This section contains 2 sub-sections with various key points; see the next smart overview so that you will be able to get general picture about the section!

1.1. A few, few, a little and little: uses, forms...

A. Uses:

'A few' and 'a little' are used for positive ideas to say 'small number/amount but enough'.

This means, the things we are talking about 'enable to do what we want to do'!

'Few' and 'little' are used for negative idea to mean 'hardly any or not enough or 'small number/amount'.

This means, the things we are talking about 'do not enable to do what we want to do'!

Note: Here, many students have misunderstanding concerning positive and negative ideas (to get clear understanding, special attention-1, below)!

B. Forms:

A few and few are used with countable nouns: they are followed by countable plural nouns.
A little and little are used with uncountable nouns: they are followed by uncountable nouns.
Common Forms:

A few/few + countable plural noun
A little/ little + uncountable noun

Examples:

I borrowed money from George Floyd last week to buy the mobile as I had few dollars on my bank account.
I did not borrow money from George Floyd last week to buy the mobile as I had a few dollars on my bank account.
I didn't buy the mobile as I had few dollars on my bank account.

I borrowed money from George Floyd last week to buy the mobile as I had little money on my bank account.
I did not borrow money from George Floyd last week to buy the mobile as I had a little money on my bank account.
I didn't buy the mobile as I had little money on my bank account.

1.2. Special Attention Areas

Dear students, while talking about uses of 'a few, few, a little and little', you have to be very careful: give special attention to the next 3 confusing areas:

A. 'Negative idea' and 'positive idea'!

Some students think that when say 'few and little are used for negative ideas', the given sentence/ clause should be expressed by negative words! But that is completely wrong; the given sentence/ clause could be either negative or positive!

'Negative idea' means, it doesn't enable to do expected thing!

If the quantities/numbers do not enable to do something, it is negative. It does not matter whether the sentence is positive or negative: it could be positive or negative.
Below expectation: If the quantities/numbers are below the expectation (less than the expected), it is negative. It does not matter whether the sentence is positive or negative: it could be positive or negative.

'Positive idea' means, it enables to do expected thing!

Enabling: If the quantities/numbers enable to do something, it is positive!
It does not matter whether the sentence is positive or negative: it could be positive or negative.

Examples:

I did not borrow money from Obama last week to buy the mobile as I had a few dollars on my bank account. (negative sentence but positive meaning: The money I had in bank enabled me to buy food.
I borrowed money from Obama last week to buy the mobile as I had few dollars on my bank account. (positive sentence but negative meaning: The money I had in bank doesn't enable me to buy food.

B. Countable vs Uncountable Nouns: Time/Money

Dear students, be careful when the given nouns refer to time/money!

Time vs hours...:

'Time' is uncountable noun but measurements of time such as 'hour/ minute/day/week/month...' are countable nouns.

Money vs Dollars, Birr...:

Money is uncountable noun but currency of different countries, for example, 'birr/dollar...' are countable nouns.

Examples:

I did not borrow money from Obama last week to buy the mobile as I had a little money on my bank account. (money)
I did not borrow money from Obama last week to buy the mobile as I had a few dollars on my bank account. (dollars)

C. Some Terms to be used wit a few...
Dear students, sometimes, there are some common terms/words to be used with 'a few, few, a little and little'; look the next forms:

Quite + a few/a little: used for positive idea.
Only + a few/a little: used for negative idea.
Hardly any, not many/not much: used negative idea, without few/little/a few/a little.
Very/so/too/extremely/relatively.. ..+ little/few: used negative idea, with few/little.

Examples:

I've got quite a little money. I'm going to the cinema. [some/enough]
I've got quite a few friends. We meet every day. [some/enough]
I've got (very) little money. I need to borrow some. [hardly any/not enough]
I've got (very) few friends. I need to make new friends.
Hurry up; there's little time left!

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2. A lot of, lots of, many, much...

Previous section (section-1) quantifiers (a few, few, a little and little) that are used for small quantities. This section (section-2) deals with quantifiers that are used for large quantities!

The section has the next 3 sub-sections.

2.1. A lot of, lots of, many, much...

A. Uses:

'A lot of' and 'lots of' are, mostly, used for positive idea: with statement (Statement is sentence ended with full stop.) or exclamation sentence.
Both 'a lot of' and 'lots of' could be used interchangeably but 'a lot of ' is more formal (if you are asked to choose one of them)!
'Many' and 'much' are used for negative ideas, positive ideas and also for questions (with 'how')!
'A lot of' and 'lots of' are more formal than 'many' and 'much' to express positive ideas!

B. Forms:

'A lot of' and 'lots of' could be followed by plural countable noun or uncountable noun: they are used with both CN (plural) and UCN.
'Many' could be followed by plural countable noun.
'Much' could be followed by uncountable noun.
Common Forms:

a lot of/lots of + plural countable noun
a lot of/lots of + uncountable noun
many + plural countable noun
much + uncountable noun

Examples:

A lot of/lots of people are affected by coronavirus.
We have got a lot of/lots of information about how to protect ourselves from coronavirus.
Many countries don't allow flights because of coronavirus pandemic.
How many people have died due to coronavirus in Ethiopia?
Why many students don't like assignment?
Why many students like grammar?
We didn't get much information about coronavirus causes.
How much do you pay me?

2.2. Special Attention Areas: 3 Key Points
Please, special attention to the next 3 issues:

A. Some Terms with a lot of/lots of, many...

Sometimes, there are some terms that are used with the above quantifiers (a lot of/lots of, many, much).

Forms:

quite/rather + a lot of/lots of
very/so/too/as/how + many & much

Examples:

Thank you I have got quite a lot of/lots of information.
I have so many questions about Israel and Gaza in my head.

B. A lot (without 'of' and 'noun')
Sometimes, 'a lot' could be used without 'of' and 'noun'!

Examples:

Thanks to technologies! Now, we know a lot about coronavirus. (as object)
A lot has been said about coronavirus protection on media but no changes on most people. (as subject)

C. Many' and 'much' with positive idea
As a rule, mostly, 'many' and 'much' are used for negative ideas and questions but it is common to them for positive ideas; modern English also supports this usage!

Examples:

Although much has been said, still I have many questions concerning coronavirus.
Many books have been written Abay River.

2.3. Other Expressions

In addition to the above mentioned quantifiers, there are many more expressions that could be used to express large quantities.

a number of
most (most + noun/most of + plural countable noun/uncountable noun, most + verb)
majority
half
almost all...
a large number of
a great deal of
large/huge/tremendous amount of

Examples:

A number of students are coming to class.
Most students have lack of exam techniques.
Most of the students in this school are working hard.
You missed almost all the questions.

3. Special Section

Dear students, here, I am going to give you some special information so that you will be able to get deep understanding and also answer any question about the above topics!

Read and use the information under the next 4 sub-sections!

Smart Summaries
Exam Tips: Questions and Exam Techniques (Samples)
Study Tips: 5 Smart Study Techniques
Links: All Related Links in One Place

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3.1. Smart Summaries

Under this sub-section, the above discussed topics (in sections 1&2) are briefly summarized for you: read them and use them!

A. Smart Summary-1: A few, few...

B. Smart Summary-2: A lot of, lots of, many...

Note: Reflection:

Dear students, always before closing your study, first, you have to make reflection: close your eyes and your mobile; then, quickly revise/summarize most of the key points!

For examples:

Reflection-1: More than 15 Key Points

Reflection-2: More than 10 Key Points

3.2. Exam Tips: Questions and Exam Techniques

Previously, in this smart note (smart note-1: quantifiers), more than 15 different quantifiers with more than 25 key points have been covered (see Smart Summaries 1 and 2, above)!

Dear students, here (exam tips), you will be shown 3 things:

Exam Technique: How you could answer these type of questions
Sample Questions: How you could be asked questions related to the above topics taking sample questions from Grade 12 Entrance Exams (English)
Sample Explanations: Explanations for Entrance

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A. Exam Techniques: Context + Elimination Techniques

Any question related to quantifiers could be answered using 'Context + Elimination Techniques'! To use the techniques, follow two 2 simple steps: understanding context and eliminating.

Understanding context: look meaning and Nature of noun:

Meaning: negative or positive?
Nature of noun: countable (singular or plural) or uncountable noun?

Eliminating: based on these, eliminate unrelated choices!
See sample explanations, below!

B. Sample Questions (Grade 12 Entrance Questions)

1. I like ______ sugar in my tea. Do have some, please? (G-12: Entrance: 2014 N)

A. a little

B. any

C. many

D. a few

2. Take as _____ sugar as possible with your tea; it is not good for your health. (G-12: Entrance: 1995)

A. little
B. a few
C. least
D. much

3. There are many occasions when seat-belts save life, yet only______ drivers often wear them. (G-12: Entrance: 2010)

A. many
B. few
C. a lot of
D. a few

4. Tom spends _____ of his time playing computer games and listening to music. That is why he scores low grades. (G-12: Entrance: 2003)

A. much
B. some
C. enough
D. little

5. ____ students have ever obtained full marks in College Entrance English Examination. (G-12: Entrance: 2004)

A. Few
B. A few
C. Many
D. Several

C. Sample Explanations

Q. I like ______ sugar in my tea. Do have some, please? (G-12: Entrance: 2014 N)

A. a little
B. any
C. many
D. a few

Explanation-1

The above question is positive (clue: the speaker is asking for sugar.). The given noun 'sugar' is uncountable noun.

Based on these, choices B, C & D are wrong; must be eliminated.
Choices C & D are wrong: many and a few are used with countable noun, not with uncountable noun!

Choice B is wrong: any is used for negative and question, not for positive.
Note: 'Any' is used for positive to say 'it doesn't matter'!
Choices B, C & D are wrong means, 100% sure choices choice A is correct answer!

Ans. A

Q. There are many occasions when seat-belts save life, yet only______ drivers often wear them. (G-12: Entrance: 2010)

A. many
B. few
C. a lot of
D. a few

Explanation-2

This question is negative (clue: 'yet' is used for contrasting ideas.).

In this question, 'yet' is used for contrasting ideas that means, the idea before 'yet' is positive ('seat-belts could save life') but the idea after 'yet' must be contrasting to this or negative: small number of drivers use seat-belts.
Again look the given choices; 'many' and 'a lot of' are used with large number/amount.
Using this as a clue, choice A and C must be eliminated.
In addition, the given noun (drivers) is countable noun. As a rule, 'few' is used for negative idea with countable noun.
But look the given blank space; it is preceded by 'only'.
'Only' is used before 'a few/a little' to make the given idea negative.

Ans. D

3.3. Study Tips: 5 Smart Study Techniques

Dear students, read these pieces of advice and use them!

Subject matter knowledge is the primary thing to be successful on any exam: the other things support this!

You have to have deep understanding on each topic to be covered on exam!
Use the next 5 smart study techniques to get deep understanding:

The choice is yours!

If you use these and study techniques, I am sure, you will be more successful than ever!
You could use them or lose them; the choice is yours!
Tooftaalee kanneen yoo fayyadamtan, wanta qo'attan tokko karaa salphatti sammuutti qabattanii, akka oduu duritti afaaniin namaaf ibsuu ni dandeessan! Itti fayyadamaa!
እነዚህን ቴክኒኮች ብትጠቀሙ፣ አንድ ያጠናችሁትን ርዕስ በቀላሉ በአእምሯችሁ ይዛችሁት፣ እንደ ተረት ተረት በአፋችሁ ለሰው ማውራት ትችላላችሁ! ተጠቀሟቸው!

3.4. Links: All Related Links in One Place

Only about Quantifiers

Smart Notes

1. Smart Note-1: A few, few, a little, little, a lot of/lots of, much, many, plenty of...
2. Smart Note-2): Each, every, no, none, any, both ... and also, not only ... but also, neither/neither... nor, either/either... or
3. Smart Note-3: Some, any, everyone, everything, anything...

Exam Techniques

Smart Exam Techniques: How to Answer Quantifiers Questions: with Detail Explanations for Grade 12 Entrance Exam Questions (Ethiopia

Grade 12 Entrance Exam Questions
1. [English: Quantifiers] Grade 12 University Entrance Exam Questions about Quantifiers (English: Ethiopia) with Answers and Explanations (with Exam Techniques and Smart Notes (Part-1)
2. [English: Quantifiers] Grade 12 University Entrance Exam Questions about Quantifiers (English: Ethiopia) with Answers and Explanations (with Exam Techniques and Smart Notes (Part-2)
3. [English: Quantifiers] Grade 12 University Entrance Exam Questions about Quantifiers (English: Ethiopia) with Answers and Explanations (with Exam Techniques and Smart Notes (Part-3)