| 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)
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| B |
all some any most much/many little/few half none
You can use these words with of (some of / most of etc.).
We use [some of, most of, none of ect.] + [the ..., this..., those ..., my ..., these ..., those ... 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)
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| 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)
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| 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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