A   

   all    some    any    most    much/many    Little/few    no   

 

You can use the words in the box with a noun (some food / few books etc.):

  • All cars have wheels.
  • Some cars can go faster than others.
  • (on a notice)  NO CARS. (= no cars allowed)
  • Many people drive too fast.
  • I don't go out very often. I'm at home most days.

 

You cannot say 'all of cars', 'some of people' etc. (see also Section B):

  • Some people learn languages more easily than others. (not Some of people)

 

Note that we say most (not the most):

  • Most tourists don't visit this part of the town. (not The most tourists)

 

 

   B   

   all    some    any    most    much/many    little/few    half    none   

 

You can use these words with of (some of / most of etc.).

 

 

So you can say:
      some of the people, some of those people (but not some of people)
      most of my time, most of the time (but not most of time)

  • Some of the people I work with are not very friendly.
  • None of this money is mine.
  • Have you read any of these books?
  • I was sick yesterday. I spent most of the day in bed.

 

You don't need of after all or half. So you can say:

  • All my friends live in Los Angeles. or All of my friends ...
  • Half this money is mine. or Half of this money ...

 

Compare:

  • All flowers are beautiful. (= all flowers in general)
    All (of) the flowers in this garden are beautiful. (= a specific group of flowers)
  • Most problems have a solution. (= most problems in general)
    We were able to solve most of the problems we had. (= a specific group of problems)

 

 

   C   

You can use all of / some of / none of etc.it/us/you/them:

  • 'How many of these people do you know?' 'None of them. / A few of them.'
  • Do any of you want to come to a party tonight?
  • 'Do you like this music?'  'Some of it. Not all of it.'

 

We say: all of us / all of you / half of it / half of them etc. You need of before it/us/you/them:

  • All of us were late. (not all us)
  • I haven't finished the book yet. I've only read half of it. (not half it)

 

 

   D   

You can also use some/most etc. alone, without a noun:

  • Some cars have four doors and some have two.
  • A few of the shops were open, but most (of them) were closed.
  • Half this money is mine, and half (of it) is yours. (not the half)

 

 

 

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