Countable & Uncountable Nouns, Quantifiers, Articles

The typhoon caused a great deal of _____

• damage

• damages

Answer explanation

a great deal of + uncountable nouns

'Damage' is an uncountable noun but can also exist as countable noun but with a different meaning.

e.g. The blast caused excessive damage to the house. (ζημιά)

The court awarded damages of $20,000 to the victim. (αποζημίωση)

Denise developed ____ fear of heights in her teens.

• a

• the

Answer explanation

We use the indefinite article with some abstract nouns in a particular sense:

horror/dislike/love/hatred/ fear/knowledge/awareness

I only spent _____ couple of hours revising for the test.

• -

• a

Answer explanation

We use the indefinite article in certain numbers and expressions of quantity, price

a hundred, a thousand, a couple, a great deal of, a little,etc.

The guests consumed _____ of the food.

• the entire

• most

Answer explanation

Using 'of the' makes the meaning specific, not general.

e.g. Most fifteen-year-olds would like more free time. (in general)

Most of the fifteen-year-olds would like more free time. (refers to a specific group of fifteen-year-olds, obvious in context)

____ need guidance, not punishment.

• The young

• Young

Answer explanation

We use the definite article with an adjective to refer to a group of people

e.g. The elderly often suffer from neglect.

I'll support _____ decision you make.

• any

• some

Answer explanation

Any can be used in positive sentences to mean 'it doesn't matter which'

e.g. Any university student will tell you that you have to study hard to pass your exams.

Ted was upset to see that he had made quite ____ mistakes in his composition.

• few

• a few

Answer explanation

The expression quite a few means a large number.

e.g. This new diet already has quite a few followers.

A few (and a little) have a positive connotation.

e.g. When we asked for volunteers, a few people said they'd help. (a good number)

Few (and little) have a negative connotation.

e.g. Few people volunteered. (a disappointing number)

____ people today have debts they find difficult to repay.

• Many

• Many of the

Answer explanation

Many is typically used with plural nouns.

Using 'of the' makes the meaning specific, not general.

e.g. Most fifteen-year-olds would like more free time. (in general)

Most of the fifteen-year-olds would like more free time. (refers to a specific group of fifteen-year-olds, obvious in context)

The news ____ very depressing last night.

• was

• were

Answer explanation

'News' ends in -s but is singular and is followed by a singular verb.

The police ____ continuing their investigation into the incident.

• is

• are

Answer explanation

Some nouns are always plural and take a plural verb.