Numbers, fractions, and quantity expressions are also used in expressions of measurement to indicate the size, weight, length, and so on, of something. Ways of talking about measurements are explained in paragraphs 2.250 to 2.257. Approximate measurements are explained in paragraphs 2.264 to 2.271. Numbers are also used to say how old someone or something is. This is explained in paragraphs 2.258 to 2.263.
Talking about amounts of things: a lot of ideas, plenty of shops
2.176 When you want to talk about a quantity of things or an amount of something, you can use the pronoun form of some indefinite determiners (such as all or both) followed by of and a noun phrase.
I am sure both of you agree with me.
Most of the population have fled.
All of her children live abroad.
2.177 Here is the list of indefinite determiners that can be used in this way. Of is given after each as a reminder.
all of
another of
any of
both of
each of
either of
enough of
(a) few of
fewer of
less of
(a) little of
lots of
many of
more of
most of
much of
neither of
none of
one of
several of
some of
You can also use a phrase such as a lot of or a number of to talk about quantity in the same way.
…a house with lots of windows.
I make a lot of mistakes.
In Tunis there are a number of art galleries.
I never found the rest of my relatives.
2.178 Here is a list of phrases that can be used to talk about quantity.
an amount of
a bit of
a little bit of
a couple of
a good deal of
a great deal of
a lot of
a good many of
a great many of
a number of
plenty of
a quantity of
~
a majority of
the majority of
a minority of
~
part of
the remainder of
the rest of
the whole of
~
gobs of (American)
heaps of
loads of
masses of
tons of
Note that the words in the last group in this list are used in informal speech only.
only with definite determiners
2.179 Some of these quantity expressions are linked by of only to noun phrases that begin with a definite determiner such as the, these, or my. A pronoun such as us, them, or these can also be used after of.
Nearly all of the increase has been caused by inflation.
Part of the farm lay close to the river bank.
Only a few of them were armed.
Here is a list of quantity expressions with of that are usually or always followed by noun phrases beginning with definite determiners:
all of
another of
any of
both of
certain of
each of
either of
enough of
few of
fewer of
less of
little of
many of
more of
most of
much of
neither of
none of
one of
part of
several of
some of
various of
~
a few of
a little of
a good many of
a great many of
~
the remainder of
the rest of
the whole of
with place names
2.180 Some of these quantity expressions can also be used with place names.
Much of America will be shocked by what happened.
…involving most of Africa and a lot of South America.
Here is a list of quantity expressions used with place names:
all of
less of
more of
most of
much of
none of
part of
some of
~
a bit of
a little bit of
a good deal of
a great deal of
a lot of
~
the rest of
the whole of
verb agreement
2.181 When you use a quantity expression as the subject of a verb, the verb is singular or plural depending on whether the quantity expression refers to one thing or to more than one thing.
Some of the information has already been analysed.
Some of my best friends are policemen.
with plural nouns
2.182 Many quantity expressions can only be used in front of plural noun phrases.
I am sure both of you agree with me.
Start by looking through their papers for either of the two documents mentioned below.
Few of these organizations survive for long.
Several of his best books are about space flight.
I would like to ask you a couple of questions.
The report contained large numbers of inaccuracies.
Here is a list of quantity expressions that are only used with plural noun phrases:
another of
both of
certain of
each of
either of
few of
fewer of
many of
neither of
numbers of
one of
several of
various of
~
a couple of
a few of
a good many of
a great many of
a number of
For more information about each of see paragraphs 2.186 to 2.187, about fewer of see paragraph 2.189, and about a number of see paragraphs 2.191 to 2.192.
Note that neither of is used in a similar way to either of when you are talking about two things in negative clauses. This is explained in paragraph 5.79.
with uncountable nouns and singular nouns
2.183 A few quantity expressions are only used with uncountable nouns and singular noun phrases.
Much of the day was taken up with classes.
This is a bit of a change.
There was a good deal of smoke.
If you use rich milk, pour off a little of the cream.
I spent the whole of last year working there.
Here is a list of quantity expressions only used with uncountable nouns and singular noun phrases:
less of
little of
much of
part of
~
a bit of
a little bit of
a good deal of
a great deal of
a little of
~
the whole of
For more information about less of see paragraph 2.189.
with plural nouns and uncountable nouns
2.184 A very few quantity expressions are used only with plural noun phrases and uncountable nouns.