Quantifiers

Quantifiers

We use quantifiers when we want to give someone information about the number of something: how much or how many.

Sometimes we use a quantifier in the place of a determiner:

Most children start school at the age of five.
We ate some bread and butter.
We saw lots of birds.

We use these quantifiers with both count and uncount nouns:

all	any	enough	less	a lot of	lots of
more	most	no	none of	some

and some more colloquial forms:

plenty of

heaps of

a load of

loads of

tons of

etc.

Some quantifiers can be used only with count nouns:

both

each

either

(a) few

fewer

neither

several

and some more colloquial forms:

a couple of

hundreds of

thousands of

etc.

Some quantifiers can be used only with uncount nouns:

a little

(not) much

a bit of

And, particularly with abstract nouns such as time, money, trouble, etc:, we often use:

a great deal of

a good deal of

Members of groups

You can put a noun after a quantifier when you are talking about members of a group in general…

Few snakes are dangerous.
Both brothers work with their father.
I never have enough money.

…but if you are talking about a specific group of people or things, use of the … as well

Few of the snakes are dangerous.
All of the children live at home.
He has spent all of his money.

Note that, if we are talking about two people or things we use the quantifiers both, either andneither:

One supermarket	Two supermarkets*	More than two supermarkets
The supermarket was closed The supermarket wasn't open I don’t think the supermarket was open.	Both the supermarkets were closed. Neither of the supermarkets was open. I don’t think either of the supermarkets was open.	All the supermarkets were closed None of the supermarkets were open I don't think any of the supermarkets were open

*Nouns with either and neither have a singular verb.

Singular quantifiers:

We use every or each with a singular noun to mean all:

There was a party in every street.	=	There were parties in all the streets.
Every shop was decorated with flowers.	=	All the shops were decorated with flowers.
Each child was given a prize.	=	All the children were given a prize.
There was a prize in each competition.	=	There were prizes in all the competitions.

We often use every to talk about times like days, weeks and years:

When we were children we had holidays at our grandmother’s every year.
When we stayed at my grandmother’s house we went to the beach every day.
We visit our daughter every Christmas.

BUT: We do not use a determiner with every and each. We do not say:

The every shop was decorated with flowers.
The each child was given a prize.

Transitions

Transitions


Examples of Transitions:
Illustration 

Thus, for example, for instance, namely, to illustrate, in other words, in particular, specifically, such as.

Contrast

On the contrary, contrarily, notwithstanding, but, however, nevertheless, in spite of, in contrast, yet, on one hand, on the other hand, rather, or, nor, conversely, at the same time, while this may be true.

Addition

And, in addition to, furthermore, moreover, besides, than, too, also, both-and, another, equally important, first, second, etc., again, further, last, finally, not only-but also, as well as, in the second place, next, likewise, similarly, in fact, as a result, consequently, in the same way, for example, for instance, however, thus, therefore, otherwise.

Time

After, afterward, before, then, once, next, last, at last, at length, first, second, etc., at first, formerly, rarely, usually, another, finally, soon, meanwhile, at the same time, for a minute, hour, day, etc., during the morning, day, week, etc., most important, later, ordinarily, to begin with, afterwards, generally, in order to, subsequently, previously, in the meantime, immediately, eventually, concurrently, simultaneously.

Space

At the left, at the right, in the center, on the side, along the edge, on top, below, beneath, under, around, above, over, straight ahead, at the top, at the bottom, surrounding, opposite, at the rear, at the front, in front of, beside, behind, next to, nearby, in the distance, beyond, in the forefront, in the foreground, within sight, out of sight, across, under, nearer, adjacent, in the background.

Concession

Although, at any rate, at least, still, thought, even though, granted that, while it may be true, in spite of, of course.

Similarity or Comparison

Similarly, likewise, in like fashion, in like manner, analogous to.

Emphasis

Above all, indeed, truly, of course, certainly, surely, in fact, really, in truth, again, besides, also, furthermore, in addition.

Details

Specifically, especially, in particular, to explain, to list, to enumerate, in detail, namely, including.

Examples

For example, for instance, to illustrate, thus, in other words, as an illustration, in particular.

Consequence or Result

So that, with the result that, thus, consequently, hence, accordingly, for this reason, therefore, so, because, since, due to, as a result, in other words, then.

Summary

Therefore, finally, consequently, thus, in short, in conclusion, in brief, as a result, accordingly.

Suggestion

For this purpose, to this end, with this in mind, with this purpose in mind, therefore.

Vocabulary for debates and discussions

Vocabulary for debates and discussions

When you want to state an opinion: INFORMAL In my opinion____ I think that_____ I feel that______ I believe that______ It seems to me that________ If you ask me_____ I'd say that_______ The point is________ As I see it_______ I'd say that______ The point is______

FORMAL You know what I think... I think that____ Wouldn't you say that_______? Don't you agree that_______? I'd just like to say that______ I'd like to point out that_______

When you want someone to repeat or explain: I don't understand what you mean Would you explain that, please? I'm sorry, but I didn't understand your point. Could you give an example? What do you mean by_____?

When you want to agree with someone (in ascending order of formality): You're right I think so, too I agree with you You could be right I couldn't agree more That's a good point I couldn't agree more I see what you mean That's just what I was thinking I agree entirely You know, that's exactly what I think

When you want to disagree with someone (in ascending order of formality): Yes, but_____ I disagree That's not the point No, I think you're wrong Up to a point, but________ Yes, that's quite true, but_____ I'm not sure I quite agree Well, you have a point there, but_____ Perhaps, but don't you think that_____ I see what you mean, but________ I tend to disagree with you there

Informal disagreement (between people you know very well) I can't agree with you there You can't be serious!! Come off it! Don't be silly!

When you want to persuade someone: You must admit that___ Do you really believe that_____? Don't you think that______? Don't you agree that____?

English verb conjugator

English Verb Conjugator

The modification of a verb to show different aspects or conditions of the action is called verb conjugation. Learning how to conjugate verbs is essential for learning English. Here you will find an endless list of English verbs where you can choose to see how they conjugate.

Just click on the link and choose your verb from the list to see all the different forms

http://www.englishlanguageguide.com/languagetools/verbs.asp

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Making suggestions

How to...

Making suggestions

Language for making suggestions
Question opener	+ subject	+ infinitive without 'to'
Why don't	I you we they	buy...? go...? meet...?
Why doesn't	he/she
Shall	I we
Question opener		+ infinitive without 'to'
I, you, he, she, we	should could	say... arrange... talk... eat... get...
Let's Why not
NotePerhaps and maybe can both be used before 'could' and 'should' if you want to sound more polite. Examples: Perhaps we could phone them. Maybe we should have a big party.

Making a point

Language for making a point
Expressing opinion		Examples
I think (that)...		I think you should go now.
My view is (that)...		My view is that the project will fail.
In my opinion, ...		In my opinion, the firm can succeed.
Persuading
I can assure you (that)...		I can assure you that we've done everything we can.
Making a statement
The fact is (that)...		The fact is, he's a great performer.
The point is (that)...		The point is, we don't know if they're being honest.
Other expressions
You're missing the point (can sound a bit rude)		You're missing the point - why do you never listen properly to what I'm saying?
Look, ... (can sound quite aggressive)		Look, everyone thinks it's a bad idea.