E Write: Put in some, any, no or '-'. CAUSE FOR ALARM!

1... -... Children and 2... grown-ups must do their best to keep the world clean,' Mr Fox said to his class. 'Sometimes we see

3... rubbish in the streets and we must pick it up. Sometimes we eat... sweets and we must put the wrappings in the bin. We must all work together so there's5... rubbish in the world. Never throw6... plastic into the sea! There's7... tar (смола) on the beaches. There's... oil in the sea. If we pour9... poison into our rivers,10... fish die. This is called 11... pollution. This weekend, see if you can find 12... examples of pollution and write 13... sentences about it.' Jimmy looked very worried when he went home. On Monday, he handed in his composition. 'Yesterday we had14... sardines for lunch. Mummy opened the tin, but all the fish were dead and the tin was full of oil!'

5.4 'Much', 'many', 'a lot of, '(a) few', '(a) little', 'fewer', 'less'

5.4A Basic uses of 'much', 'many' and 'a lot of [> LEG 5.13-14] The basic uses are:

1 much (+ uncountable,alwayssingular ) and many (+ plural countable) [> 5.1 A]:

- in negative statements: We haven't got much time. There aren't many pandas in China.

- in questions: Is there much milk? Have you had many inquiries? [ɪn'kwaɪ(ə)rɪ] 1) довідка2) питання; запитання; запит to make inquiries — запитувати, довідуватися inquiry office — довідкове бюро

2 a lot of or the informal lots of (+ plural countable or singular uncountable):

- in the affirmative: I've got a lot of time/lots of time. I've got a lot of/lots of books.

Write: Supply much, many or a lof of in these sentences.

1 I know old Mr Higgins has a lot of money. 2 Is there... demand for silk stockings? 3 There isn't... space in this flat. 4 There aren't... portraits of Shakespeare 5 I must say, you have... books. 6 Will there be... guests at your party?

5.4B Other common uses of 'much', 'many' and 'a lot of [> LEG 5.13-14]

1 We can also use much and many in the affirmative (like a lot of/lots of):

- in formal statements: Much money is spent on defence. Many teachers retire early.

- with as... as: Take as much as you like.

- in time references: I've lived here for many years.

2 We can use ‘Not much’ and ‘Not many’ to begin a sentence: Not many know about this. Not much is known about this.

3 We can use not a lot of for emphasis: I haven't got a lot of time for people like him.

Write: Supply much or many in these sentences.

1 … depends on the outcome of the inquiry. 2 Don't be discouraged!... have failed to run the marathon. 3 You can have as... of this material as you like. 4 Take as... of these tiles as you want. 5 He has lived here for... of his life. 6 We have occupied the same house for... years. 7 Not... happens around here when the tourists leave. 8 Not... doctors are prepared to visit patients in their own homes.

5.4C 'Few', 'a few', 'little', 'a little' [> LEG 5.15]

1 We use few and a few with plural countable nouns: few friends, a few friends.

We use little and a little with uncountable nouns: little time, a little time.

2 Few and little are negative (= hardly any=мало, недостатньо): I've got few friends. I've got little time (hardly any). We sometimes use very with few and little: I've got very few friends. I've got very little time. (hardly any at all)

3 A few and a little are positive (= some, деяка кількість, мало, але достатньо): I've got a few friends. I've got a little time, (some) We sometimes use only with a few and a little: I've got only a few friends, (not many) I've got only a little time, (not much).

Write: Supply few, a few, little or a little in these sentences.

1 There are very... scholarships for students in this university. 2 I'm sorry, but I'm going to have to ask you for... more time to pay this bill. 3 If you don't hurry we'll miss our train. There's... time to spare. 4 It's a difficult text. I've had to look up quite... words in the dictionary. 5 I can't spare any of these catalogues. There are only... left. 6 I can't let you use much of this perfume. There's only... in the bottle. 7 There are... who know about this, so keep it to yourself. 8 If what you say is true, there is... we can do about it.

 

5.4D 'Fewer'and 'less' [> LEG 5.16]

1 Fewer is the comparative of few (few, fewer, the fewest). Less is the comparative of little (little, less, the least[> 6.5CJ).

2 Fewer goes with plural countables: Fewer videos have been imported this year than last.

3 Less goes with uncountables: Less oil has been produced this year than last.

4 Informally, we often use less with countables. Some native speakers think it's wrong: Less people are travelling abroad this year. People are buying less newspapers than they used to.

Write: Supply fewer or less in these sentences.

1 The less you pay, the fewer services you get. 2 We've had... complaints this year. 3 I've had... lessons than you. 4 New cars need... servicing than old ones. 5 People have... money to spend this year. 6 Sue's got... homework than Tom.