ENGLISH LANGUAGE
18 September, 2021
SUBJECT: ENGLISH LANGUAGE
TOPIC: STRUCTURE
SUB-TOPIC: QUANTIFIERS
LESSON #2: The use of ‘a lot of’, ‘lots of’
and ‘a lot’
TEACHER: Anthony Simukonde
Recap: A quantifier is a word or indeed a phrase which is used before a noun to indicate the amount or quantity:
‘Some’, ‘many’, ‘a lot of’, ‘lots of, ‘a lot, ‘a few’, ‘few’, ‘ a little’, ‘little’ are examples of quantifiers. Note: Quantifiers can be used with both countable and uncountable nouns.
Examples of quantifiers in sentences:
a. There are some books on the desk. b. Sechelani has got only a few K1.00 coins. c. How much money have you got? d. There is a large quantity of fish in this river. e. Muwelanji has more friends than his sister. Examples of quantifiers with Countable Nouns
Many, a few, few, very few, a number (of), several, a large number of, a great number of, a majority of
Examples of quantifiers with Uncountable Nouns
Much, a little, little, very little, a bit (of), a great deal of, a large amount of, a large quantity of
Examples of quantifiers with both Countable and Uncountable Nouns All, enough, more/most, less/least, no/none, not any, some, any, a lot of, lots of, plenty of The use of ‘a lot of’ /’lots of’ and ‘a lot’
Here you can find out the difference in meaning between them and how they should be used.
‘a lot of’ /
‘lots of’
‘a lot of’ and ‘lots of’ have the same meaning: they both mean a large amount or number of people or things. They are both used before countable nouns and uncountable nouns: Examples with countable nouns:
(a) A lot of children went to the camp. (b) Lots of children went to the camp.
Examples with uncountable nouns:
(a) Sechelani has poured a lot of water on the floor.
(b) Lots of water has been poured on the floor by Sechelani.
The use of ‘a lot’
‘a lot’ means very often or very much. It is used as an adverb. It often comes at the end of a sentence and never before a noun.
(a) Sechelani likes football a lot.
(b) Sechelani is a lot happier now than he was.
EXERCISE
Complete the following sentences appropriately by using the choices given for each sentence.
1. Nambela looks ___ older than Muwelanji. (a) a lot (b) lots (c) lots
2. _________ vehicles pass down this road to Matero.
(a) Lots
(b) A lot
(c) A lot of
3. We have __________ time left before the final examination.
(a) a lot
(b) lots
(c) lots of
4. Muwelanji doesn’t eat apples _________. (a) lots
(b) a lot
(c) a lot of
5. There are ________ English grammar books out there to read.
(a) lots
(b) lots of
(c) a lot
6. We have spent _______ money to complete this building.
(a) a lot of
(b) lots
(c) a lot
7. Mr. Sinkala is __________ serious on matters of English lesson presentations.
(a) lots
(b) a lot
(c) a lot of
8. There are ________ grammatical errors in your composition.
(a) lots
(b) a lot of (c) a lot
9. She has ______ issues to deal with. (a) lots
(b) a lot
(c) a lot of
10. Non-examination grade children miss school ________.
(a) lots
(b) a lot
(c) lots of
Answers to Lesson #50 – Daily Nation Complete the following sentences by choosing ‘a little’, ‘little’, ‘a few’ or ‘few’.
1. He has little education. He can’t read or write, and he can hardly count.
2. There are few people he really trusts. It’s sad.
3. We got a little time at the weekend. Would you come?
4. Sechelani gave us a few apples from his garden. Let’s share.
5. Muwelanji has little self-confidence. She has trouble talking to new people.
6. I’ve got a few pairs of shoes to give away. Would you like to pick one?
7. Few children go to university from Shibuyunji, unfortunately.
8. He has little free time. He hardly calls nor visits his mother.
9. Unfortunately, I have few problems at the moment.
10. There are few women politicians in Zambia. Many people feel there should be more.