Subject/Object Questions

If what, which or who are the subject of the question, the word order is the same as in statements (subject questions). If they are the object of the question, the verb is in question form (object questions).

subject object subject object

Ian met Sally. Sally met David.

Who met Sally? Who did Sally meet?

(not: Who did meet Sally?)

Exercise 87. Write questions for the sentences below.

1. James arrived late. 2. Tina cooked the food. 3. She likes ice skating. 4. My father drove me to school. 5. It was Ann’s fault. 6. He bought a new tie. 7. Shakespeare wrote that play. 8. Daniel shouted at Sarah. 9. Sheila didn’t talk to Diane. 10. Henry arrived at ten o’clock. 11. My sister had a baby. 12. Paul gave the parcel to Mary. 13. Anita opened the window. 14. The car belongs to Barbara. 15. I have five brothers. 16. The ticket cost $5. 17. Nick lives in London. 18. My favourite food is pizza. 19. Simon likes Julie. 20. Dennis was born in 1970. 21. My favourite pet is the cat. 22. Tom’s getting married to Lisa. 23. Ned gave a pen to Sally. 24. The film lasted three hours.

Quantifiers

Quantifiers are words or phrases like few, little, much, many, plenty of etc.

1. Quantifiers combining with countable nouns answer How many? How many apples are there in the box? – There are a few (few).

2. Quantifiers combining with uncountable nouns answer How much? How much juice is there in the glass? – There is a little (little).

3. Quantifiers combining with uncountable or with countable nouns answer How many or How much? How many apples are there in the box? – There are plenty. How much juice is there in the glass? – There is plenty.

4. Much and many are usually replaced by the expressions a lot of, plenty of, a great deal of in simple affirmative sentences. Remember that a great deal of can be used to replace much only.

5. Much and many are used in questions and negative sentences, also in affirmative sentences when preceded by very, too, so. He has too much work.

6. Instead of little and few we usually use a negative verb + much and a negative verb + many. I haven’t much time (instead of: I have little time). I haven’t many English books (instead of: I have few English books).

7. After too, very, so only little and few can be used, after ‘only’ a little, a few are typical. She did very little work. There is only a little sugar left.

Exercise 88. Choose the alternative that best completes the sentence.

1. How much/many cheese should I buy? 2. How much/many countries have you visited? 3. How much/many did your car cost? 4. How much/many people are coming to the party? 5. How much/many sugar do I need to make jam of three kilograms of raspberry? 6. We didn’t take much/many food with us. We hoped to buy some on the way. 7. I didn’t see much/many beauty in the film “American Beauty.” 8. I can’t give you much/many advice. I’m quite ignorant of the situation.

Exercise 89. Choose the word or phrase that best completes the sentence.

1. Do we have some/any food left from yesterday’s party? I’m terribly hungry. 2. I’d like a little/any brandy with my coffee. 3. There wasn’t some/any bread at the backer’s. 4. We’ve got too a little/little petrol. We must have the car filled at the nearest service station. 5. I’ve bought many/some rolls for breakfast. 6. Do you have some/much work to do today? 7. Would you like some/any wine, sir? 8. We need to buy many/some drinks for tomorrow. My colleges are coming round. 9. “Is there enough flour for the pie?” – “No, there’s very a little/little, I’m afraid.” 10. There was so a lot of/much snow last winter!

Exercise 90. Choose the word or phrase that best completes the sentence.

1. There were a lot of/many people at our wedding ceremony. 2. When the robbers rushed into the bank there were a little/a few people there. 3. “Are there enough eggs for the cake?” – “No, I’m afraid there are a few/few. We need some more.” 4. “Do you take sugar with your tea?” – “Yes, just a little/a few.” 5. We didn’t find some/any food in the kitchen. 6. “Would you like some more biscuits?” – “No, thanks! I’ve eaten a lot/many already. They are so delicious!” 7. We don’t have a lot of/much time at our disposal. The project should be finished by the first of June. 8. I found a little/a few kittens near my house. They were sitting in the box. I took them home. 9. There were so a lot of/many apples on this apple-tree last year. 10. How much/little does she earn at her new job?

Exercise 91. Choose the word or phrase that best completes the sentence.

1. “Would you like some more cake?” – “Yes, just a few/a bit, please.” 2. We’ve got many/a great deal of work to do by the end of the week. 3. There weren’t many/a lot of people in the street when the accident happened. 4. The sitting of the Committee was postponed because a few/few people arrived. 5. “Can I have an apple from this basket?” – “Yes, of course. Take you some/any like.” 6. Would you like some/any beer, sir? 7. We’ve got nothing in the fridge. I must go and get some/any food. 8. I wondered how much/many Alice told him. 9. In conclusion I’d like to say few/a few words about our plans.

Exercise 92. Translate into English using not ... much and not ... many.

1. У меня мало денег. 2. У вас мало времени. 3. Мы пригласили мало народу на вечер. 4. У них мало друзей. 5. В чайнике мало чаю. 6. В вашем саду мало деревьев. 7. У нее мало родственников. 8. У него мало работы. 9. Во дворе мало снегу. 10. В этой аудитории мало столов. 11. На столе мало хлеба. 12. На полке мало книг. 13. Ребёнок ещё маленький, у него мало зубов. 14. У неё мало терпения, она очень вспыльчивая. 15. Мы собрали мало грибов вчера. 16. У неё мало возможностей попасть туда. 17. У вас мало шансов увидеть его в городе – он редко выезжает с ранчо. 18. У нас мало бумаги, сходи и купи немного. 19. На их ферме мало животных. 20. В деревне мало жителей. 21. В корзине мало яблок. 22. У неё в голове мало мозгов. 23. В альбоме мало фотографий. 24. В коробке мало печенья. 25. В городе мало школ.

Exercise 93. Fill in: a lot of, plenty of, a great deal of.

1. They’ve got ... equipment in the laboratory. 2. Mr. Smith’s wife has ... flowers in her garden. 3. She has ... trouble with her boyfriend Tom. 4. The dentist has ... patients. 5. A housewife has ... work to do. 6. She has got ... English books in his library. 7. I have got ... spare time today. 8. Their family is large. They have ... children. 9. I always spend ... money on books. 10. She buys ... milk for her grandchildren. 11. I have ... questions to ask. 12. He knows ... interesting stories.

Exercise 94. Make up some sentences following the models given below.

1. Have you got many (a lot of) lessons today?

Yes, we have a lot of lessons today.

No, we haven’t got many lessons today.

She has too many mistakes in her test.

2. Have you got much work today?

Yes, I have a lot of work today.

No, I haven’t much work today.

She eats so much bread. It isn’t good.

Exercise 95. Complete the sentences with much, many, a lot of:

1. The two sisters were very … alike. 2. There aren’t … hotels in our town. 3. The room is big; there is … room in it. 4. There were … people in the street and the car was unable to pass. 5. I say, you have quite … books in your library. 6. I know the man has … money. 7. How … cases do you have? 8. Do you eat … bread? 9. Do you have … tourists in winter? 10. Try to do as … as possible. 11. Philip made so … noise that I couldn’t work. 12. We have lived in the same house for … years. 13. You will have to hurry. You haven’t … time. 14. There are … tourists in London. 15. One day was very … alike there.

Exercise 96. Insert much, many, little, few, a little or a few.

1. Boris doesn’t have … money. 2. I would like … salt on my salad. 3. There are … children in this room, and there are … children in that one. 4. I tried to do this only … times. 5. She wanted to serve some tea to her friends, but she didn’t have … sugar. 6. Can you bring us … sweets, please. 7. Would you like more coffee? – Just … . 8. The test was very difficult and only … pupils did it. 9. Why do you eat so …? Try … of everything. 10. Open the window. There is so … air in the room. 11. I don’t speak … Greek. Only … words. 12. There is … fun to stay in bed with a headache in such a nice day. 13. There is … snow but … rain in England in winter. 14. … more work won’t hurt you, Mike. 15. I think they will come in … minutes.

Exercise 97. Choose the word or phrase that best completes the sentence.

1. I’d like some/few mineral water. I’m terribly thirsty. 2. This car costs many/a lot. 3. There are many/a lot of apples left. We don’t need any more. 4. There were much/some people at the party that I didn’t know. 5. Would you like some/any cream? 6. Put some/any salt in the soup. It’s tasteless. 7. There were many/a lot of people on the beach. 8. Shall we have any/some fruit for the desert? 9. I don’t want some/any help! I’ll do everything by myself. 10. Put some/any cheese in the omelette. It’s very tasty.

Exercise 98. Insert much, many, little, few, a little, or a few.

1. I have … questions to ask. 2. Is there … furniture in your cottage? 3. Is there … fruit in the vase? 4. Is there … coffee in the pot? 5. Has he … or … free time? 6. There were so … people in the room that we couldn’t move. 7. She is a quiet person. She doesn’t say … . 8. I put … salt in my soup, perhaps, too … . 9. I don’t think Pat would be a good teacher. She’s got … patience with children. 10. There were … new books in the library. 11. James has got … work today. 12. Don’t put … milk into his coffee. 13. Is there … space in your room? – No, not very … . 14. This town isn’t very well-known and there isn’t … to see, so … tourists come here. 15. It cost me … money to furnish the room. 16. Is there … or … to learn by heart? 17. She has … beautiful dresses. 18. I know … English traditions. 19. Do you know … or … about the Celts? 20. She is so lonely. She has … friends. 21. She drinks … coffee and … tea. 22. We learn … new English words every day. 23. They learnt … information about this country. 24. There were … pictures on the wall.

Exercise 99. Choose between much and many, (a) little and (a) few to use it in the following sentences:

1. Nowadays he was very busy and he saw … of his old friends. 2. I suggested that he should get … grapes and some bread. 3. Aunt Flora had … money while none of the other family had inherited as … as a pound. 4. He was so happily absorbed in the building of his house that events outside it affected him … . 5. My sister spends so … money on her clothes that she has none left for holidays. 6. My dear, I’m afraid I have not … news to convey but still there are … things I should like to add. 7. I began to miss London: it did not mean that I had … close friends there, for I have … friends, but I missed variety. 8. Tom has eaten so … that he can’t move. 9. Adeline has slept … last night and she had a headache. 10. She was glad to see me because I was English and she knew … English people. 11. My engagements were … and I was glad to accept the invitation. 12. He knew he was not a good teacher, and he intended to do … of that. 13. At the bar … men were discussing the coming elections in loud barking tones. 14. Virginia returned to England at the moment when … were leaving it. 15. I have so … things to do that I don’t know which to do first.

Exercise 100. Choose the word or phrase.

1. He doesn’t have … money.

a) much; b) many; c) little; d) a little.

2. I would like … salt on my salad.

a) a few; b) a little; c) few; d) many.

3. There are … students in this room, and there are … students in that one.

a) little, many; b) much, little; c) few, many; d) much, few.

4. There … bad news on television tonight.

a) is too much; b) are too many; c) are few; d) are a few.

5. Have you got … information?

a) any; b) few; c) a few; d) your.

6. There is no need to hurry. We have … time.

a) any; b) little; c) a little; d) only a little.

7. I tried to do this only … times.

a) plenty; b) few; c) little; d) a few.

8. There … furniture in the room.

a) is too much; b) are too many; c) are few; d) are a few.

9. She wanted to serve some coffee to her guests, but she didn’t have … sugar.

a) some; b) little; c) much; d) lot of.

10. There is always … traffic in the city centre at rush hour.

a) a lot; b) few; c) much; d) many.

Exercise 101. Fill in the blanks with some, any, not any, much, many, not much, not many, very little, a little, very few, a few.

1. Are there ... teachers among your friends? – Yes, there are ... . 2. Are there ... students in the next classroom? – No, there aren’t ... . 3. I haven’t got time, I must hurry. 4. I have ... time and can help you. 5. There are ... cups on the table, but there aren’t glasses. 6. I have very ... time and can’t stay any longer. 7. We know very ... about it. 8. I have ... questions to ask. 9. Very ... people know him. 10. There are ... girls in the family, are there? 11. There’s very ... chalk at the blackboard, go and fetch ... . 12. There are ... students in the hall, dding. are there? 13. There isn’t ... tea in the tea-pot. 14. There isn’t ... paper in the box, I need more. 15. There aren’t ... pencils in the box, don’t take ... . 16. It’s a secret. Very ... people know about it. 17. Please add ... more tea in my cup. 18. There is … furniture in their flat. There is hardly … room to move. 19. Would you like … pineapples?

Exercise 102. Complete the following sentences using the words in bold.

1. In the company where I work, Mr. Jones is the boss.

of Mr. Jones ... is the boss of ... the company where I work.

2. This jumper used to belong to my mother.

was This ... jumper.

3. It takes twelve hours to drive to Scotland.

hour It is … to Scotland.

4. I know that John dislikes playing golf and so does Simon.

nor I know that … playing golf.

5. In the USA the President lives in the White House.

of The … in the White House.

6. Are you sure that you can drive to London on your own next week?

yourself Are you sure you can … next week?

7. There are only a few people here tonight.

not There … tonight.

8. She wanted to sit down but another person had taken her seat.

someone She wanted to sit down … her seat.

9. He doesn’t know very much about cars.

knowledge He … cars.

10. I enjoy being alone sometimes.

by I … sometimes.

11. He enjoys reading books as well as going to the cinema.

both He … going to the cinema.

12. Bob doesn’t like playing football and Sam doesn’t either.

likes Neither … playing football.

13. You must do the work on your own if you want to pass the exam.

yourself You must … if you want to pass the exam.

14. She waited all evening for him to come.

whole She … for him to come.

15. She had done everything except the ironing.

thing The … done was the ironing.

16. The journey to France takes four hours.

is It … to France.

17. At my school, Mrs. Forrester is the headmistress.

of Mrs. Forrester … my school.

18. There were very few guests at Sharon’s wedding.

many There … at Sharon’s we

19. She went alone to see the film.

own She … to see the film.

20. They just sat on the beach all day.

nothing They … on the beach all day.

21. She spent all evening at her friend’s house.

whole She … at her friend’s house.

22. You are free to leave at any time you choose.

whenever You are free … you choose.

23. He has been to every continent except Asia.

continent The … been to is Asia.

24. We could go to Holland. Alternatively, we could stay in England.

or We could … stay in England.

25. I was supposed to meet Tony a few days ago but he didn’t turn up.

the I was supposed to meet … but he didn’t turn up.

26. We haven’t had any time to see each other.

no We … to see each other.

27. He invited both his parents and his friends to the party.

only He … but also his friends to the party.

28. She finished the book in one night.

whole She … in one night.

29. She drank from another person’s cup by mistake.

someone She drank … by mistake.