Ch 16
Quantifiers (advanced)
vast majority · few/a few · both/either/neither/none
At C1 you handle quantifiers that express precise proportion, formality, and rhetorical emphasis.
the vast majority of
The vast majority of students passed.
a fraction of / a small proportion
Only a fraction of the money was recovered.
a handful of
A handful of people attended.
a great deal of
A great deal of effort was required.
the bulk of
The bulk of the work has been completed.
a significant proportion of
A significant proportion of respondents agreed.
a minority / the minority of
A minority of voters opposed the proposal.
few (negative) vs a few (positive)
Few understand it. (negative) vs A few understand it. (positive)
little vs a little (uncountable)
Little can be done. vs A little help is needed.
both (positive, two)
Both options are good. / I like both of them.
either (one or the other)
Either option works. / I don't like either.
neither (not one nor the other)
Neither option is acceptable.
none (zero, 3+)
None of the candidates qualified.
both = 2 positives · either/neither = 2 (or/not) · none = 3+ zero. After "none of" + plural noun, verb can be singular (formal) or plural (informal).
plenty of
There's plenty of time. (neutral, plenty = enough+)
loads of / heaps of (informal)
She has loads of friends.
a wealth of (formal)
The library offers a wealth of resources.
an abundance of
There is an abundance of evidence.
a scarcity / shortage of
There is a scarcity of housing in the city.
all of + plural → plural verb
All of the students were present.
all of + uncountable → singular
All of the water has gone.
most of + noun → matches noun
Most of the work is done. / Most of the books are mine.
neither of + plural → singular (formal)
Neither of the candidates is suitable. (formal) / are (informal)
each / every + singular noun → singular
Each student has a copy.
Both of the options is good.
→
Both of the options are good.
both = plural → plural verb
A few people don't understand.
→
Few people understand. (if "almost nobody")
few = negative · a few = positive
Most of houses have gardens.
→
Most houses have gardens. (no article needed)
most + plural (general) OR most of the + plural (specific)
Recap
Formal proportion
vast majority · the bulk · a significant proportion
academic register
few vs a few
few = negative · a few = positive
few understand / a few help
both/either/neither/none
2 pos · 2 (or/not) · 3+ zero
both / neither / none
Agreement
verb matches the noun after "of"
all of water = singular / all of books = plural