Blog about English
Using most, most of, several, various, numerous, enough and similar quantifiers.
English has many quantifiers for expressing large, moderate and small quantities.
The appropriate quantifier depends on noun type, meaning and degree of precision.
Most refers to the majority of a group, while most of is used before specific noun phrases.
Compare Most people agree with Most of the students agreed.
Several refers to a small number that is more than a few but not many.
It is used only with plural countable nouns.
Numerous emphasizes a large number, while various emphasizes diversity.
Both are common in formal writing.
These expressions describe proportions within a group.
They are commonly used in formal, academic and statistical contexts.
A number of means several and takes a plural verb, whereas the number of refers to the total quantity and takes a singular verb.
This distinction is especially important in formal writing.
Expressions such as a great many, a large number of and a great deal of indicate substantial quantities.
The choice depends on whether the noun is countable or uncountable.
Quantifiers may express approximate rather than exact amounts.
Examples include dozens of, hundreds of and scores of.
Conversation often uses informal quantity expressions.
Examples include loads of, tons of, heaps of and plenty of.
Formal English often prefers more precise quantity expressions.
Examples include numerous, substantial, considerable and a significant number of.
The most natural quantifier depends on noun type, register and the level of precision required.
Native speakers often choose different quantifiers depending on context rather than grammar alone.
Choose quantifiers according to noun type, specificity and register.
Common mistakes include confusing most and most of, using several with uncountable nouns and mixing formal and informal quantity expressions inappropriately.