We use a lot of for both countable and uncountable nouns a lot of = much&many We use a lot of for both countable and uncountable nouns

a lot of friends a lot of people a lot of shops a lot of photographs a lot of bananas a lot of food a lot of coffee a lot of milk a lot of sugar a lot of money

a lot(of) is more usual in positive sentences I drink a lot of coffee They haven’t got much money but they have got a lot of friends There aren’t many hotels in the town but there are a lot of restaurants

Note that we say: There is a lot of food /money/coffee There are a lot of trees /shops / people

examples

I like reading .I’ve got a lot of books It costs a lot of money to travel round the world We saw a lot of interesting things in the museum There was a lot of food at the party but I didn’t eat much John eats a lot of hot dogs but Sarah doesn’t eat any.

(a) little +uncountable noun (a) few + countable noun (a) little water (a) little time (a) little money (a) little soup (a) few books (a) few people (a) few questions (a) few days

a little =some but not much She didn’t eat any thing but she drank a little water I speak a little English .=(some English but not much) In summer the weather is not very dry.There is a little rain We must not hurry.We’ve got a little time.

A few =some but not many Last night I wrote a few letters to my family and friends We are going away for a few days. I speak a few words of English When did John go away? A few days ago.

Little =nearly no or nearly noting There was little food in the fridge. It was nearly empty. She is very thin because she eats very little food. In summer the weather is very dry. There is little rain We must hurry. We’ve little time

Few =nearly no There were few people in the park. It was nearly empty. His English is very good. He makes very few mistakes. It is a small restaurant. There are few tables He is not well-known. Few people have heard about him.

Little and A little

A little is a positive idea They have a little money so they are not poor.(=some but not much money) We have got a little money so we can buy two ticket to the concert.(=not much, only enough to buy two ticket)

Little is a negative idea They have little money. They are very poor.(= nearly no money) We have little money so we can not buy two ticket to the concert.(=not enough to buy two ticket.)

Few and A few

A few is a positive idea I have got a few friends ,so I’m not lonely. I’m happy. (=some but not many friends) It is not difficult to find a place to stay in this town. There are a few hotels.

Few is a negative idea: I’m sad and lonely. I’ve got few friends. (=nearly no friends) It’s difficult to find a place to stay in this town. There are few hotels.

Examples:

Answer the questions with a little or a few Have you got any money? ………………… Have you got any stamps? ………………… Do you want any sugar ? ………………… Did he ask any questions? ………………… Have we got any petrol? …………………. Does he speak English? …………………. Do you know many people?.................... Would you like some soup?.....................

Put in little or a little /few or a few There was ………food in the fridge. It was nearly empty. ‘When did you see Sarah?’ ………days ago. He is very lazy. He does ………….work. They’re not rich but they’ve got……money –enough to live. Last night I vent to a restaurant with……… friends. He is not well-known. ……….people have heard about him.

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