GRAMMAR FILE UNIT 1

REFERENCE some, any, (how) much, (how)

many, all, a little, a few, a lot of
articles
some, any
a/an We use some and any to talk about quantity when we don’t know
We use a and an before singular nouns. We use: the number or amount.
• a with singular nouns that start with a consonant (b, c, d, etc.). We usually use some in positive sentences with plural countable
nouns and uncountable nouns.
I’m a student.
There are some great places to hang out.
• an with singular nouns that start with a, e, i, o, u.
I need some advice.
Are you an only child?
We usually use any in negative sentences and questions with
BUT
plural countable nouns and uncountable nouns.
• a before u when we pronounce it /juː/.
I haven’t got any brothers and sisters.
He’s at a university in Scotland.
Are there any cafés near here?
• an before h when it is silent.
We don’t have any homework tonight.
The lesson lasts an hour.
Have you got any money?
Note: Remember to use a/an with jobs.
I want to be a journalist. (how) much, (how) many, all
Would you like to be an actor? We usually use much in negative sentences with uncountable
nouns.
the The poster doesn’t give much information.
We use the: We use How much … ? in questions.
• when there is only one of something. How much time do you spend online?
I’d like to travel round the world. We use many in negative sentences with plural countable nouns.
• when it is clear which person or thing we are talking about. There aren’t many good players in the team.
Are you going to the youth club later? (the club we both know) We use How many … ? in questions.
Note: Remember to use the with musical instruments. How many students are there at your school?
I’m learning to play the guitar. We use all with plural countable nouns and uncountable nouns.
All my friends love basketball.
a/an ➙ the
All the food was cold.
We use a/an the first time we talk about something and the
after that. We don’t use the after all when talking in general.
I read an interesting interview. In the interview, my favourite All children love chocolate.
actor talked about his life.
a little, a few, a lot of
no article We use a little with uncountable nouns.
We don’t use an article: Can I give you a little advice?
• with plural countable nouns when talking in general. We use a few with plural countable nouns.
Dutch people love cycling. I invited a few friends to my house after school.
• with uncountable nouns when talking in general. We usually use a lot of (not much/many) in positive sentences
We don’t have homework every night. with:
• with languages. • plural countable nouns.
How do you say ‘hi’ in French? I’ve got a lot of posters on my wall.
• with most countries. • uncountable nouns.
I live in Spain. There was a lot of traffic on the roads.
BUT
They’re from the USA.
I live in a small town in the UK.

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PRACTICE some, any, (how) much, (how)
many, all, a little, a few, a lot of
articles 3 Choose the correct words to complete the sentences.
1 Choose the correct answers to complete the sentences. 1 I’m bored because there aren’t some / any good places to go.
1 Would you like to be ? 2 I’m going to need a few / little help with my school project.
A dentist B a dentist 3 There isn’t much / many time before the film starts.
2 Do you enjoy listening to ? 4 All / A lot my friends like the same music as me.
A music B the music 5 How much / many luggage can we take on the plane?
3 We read a poem and a story. story was better. 6 There are any / some birthday cards for you on the table.
A The B A
4 Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar
4 My dad’s got . meaning to the first sentence. Use the words in brackets.
A the brown hair B brown hair 1 Can I give you a hand with your bags? (some)
5 People say that doesn’t make you happy. Would you like with your bags?
A the money B money 2 Everyone in the class went on the trip. (students)
6 Who can I go to for ? went on the trip.
A advice B an advice 3 There aren’t many good shops near here. (a few)
7 You shouldn’t stay in sun for too long. There good shops near here.
A a B the 4 There were no tickets left for the concert. (any)
8 Dave and Lisa are from . There left for the concert.
A UK B the UK 5 There were only a few cars on the road. (a little)
2 Complete the article with ‘a’, ‘an’, ‘the’ or no article (–). There traffic on the road.
Then match the answers (1–8) with the rules (A–F).
5 Complete the news story with these words/phrases. You do
not need three of the words/phrases.

Children’s Day a few a little a lot of all every

how many how much much some
Children’s Day is 1 celebration of
young people. Countries all over 2 world
plan activities to promote children’s health and happiness.
It became 3 international event in 1954 and Welcome to my
JUMBO HOME!
4
official date in most countries is 20 November.
However, one of the first countries to create a special day
for children was 5 Turkey, in 1929. Now on
23 April in cities from Izmir to Ankara, Turkish people celebrate
Nearly 1 of us have travelled by plane but
6
day as a national holiday. Turkish television 2
people can say they actually live in one?
invites 7 children from fourteen countries to join
Bruce Campbell, an engineer from Oregon in the USA, can.
in the celebrations. These young people stay with local families
Bruce bought the Boeing 727 in 1999 and he’s worked hard
and find out about 8 Turkish life.
to make it into a home. But why choose a plane when it has
only 3 space to live in? Bruce thinks jets have
A a + consonant a brilliant design and that we should reuse them. He’s taken
B an + vowel out the seats of his Boeing to create a practical living area.
And his home now has 4 the things you would
C the when there’s only one ,
find in any house: a shower, a sofa bed, a microwave and
D the when talking about something for second time
a toaster.
E no article when talking in general ,
F no article with most countries So 5 does it cost to live in a jumbo jet? Up to
now, Bruce has spent about $220,000. But for him it isn’t
about the money. He just wants to have 6 fun
with the idea of a home.

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