Page 154 - Basic English Usage

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2 Weuse a/ot ofand lots of mostly in an informal style. They are both used
before uncountable (singular) and plural nouns, and before pronouns.
When a /ot of is used with a plural subject, the verb is plural; when /ots
of is used with a singular subject, the verb is singular.

| a lot ofots of + singular subject and verb
|

A lot of time is needed to learn a language.
There’s lots of coffee in the pot. (NOT -Fhere-are-tots-of coffee ...)

[ a lot of/lots of + plural subject and verb |

A lot of my friends think there's going to be a war.
(NOT Lee
Lots of people live in the country and work in London.
A lot of us would like to change our jobs.
We use a /ot of and /ots of before a noun or pronoun; we use a /ot/lots
without of alone, when there is no noun or pronoun. Compare:
a
She's fost lot of weight. (NOT ... e@tot-weight-)
She's lost alot. (NOT ... @etetet-)
A lot (of) and lots (of) are rather informal. In a more formal style we use
other expressions, like a great deal (of) (+ singular), a large number (of)
(+ plural), or plenty (of) (+ singular or plural).
Mr Lucas has spent a great deal of time in the Far East.
We have a large number of problems to solve.
Thirty years ago there were plenty of jobs; now there are very few.
In a formal style, we can also use much and many in affirmative
sentences.
There has been much research into the causes of cancer.
Many scientists believe ...

See also 125 (farand a long way) and 194 (long and a long time).

206 much (of), many (of): determiners

Much is used before uncountable (singular) nouns: many is used before
plural nouns.
! haven't got much time. (NOT... . mereh-eHtime-)
! haven't got many friends. (NOT... muehtriends-)

We use much of and many of before other determiners (for example the,
my, this, these), and before pronouns.

| much/many + of + determiner + noun

How much of the house do you want to paint this year?
! don't think I'll pass the exam, I've missed too many of my lessons. -
You didn't eat much of it.
How many of you are there?