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Wednesday 27 April 2011

The Correct Use of Some Adjectives

Some, any--To express quantity or degree some is used normally in affirmative sentences, any in negative or interrogative sentences; as,
I will buy some mangoes.       I will not buy any mangoes.     Have you bought any mangoes?
But any can be used after if in affirmative sentences; as,    If you need any money I will help you.
Some is used in questions which are really offers/requests or which expect the answer " yes ".
   Will you have some ice-cream? ( offer )
   Could you lend me some money? ( request )
   Did you buy some clothes? ( = I expect you did )
Each, every-- Each and every are similar in meaning, but every is a stronger word than each; it means, ' each without exception '. Each is used in speaking of two or more things; every is used only in speaking of more than two. Each directs attention to the individuals forming any group, every to the total group. Each is used only when the number in the group is limited and definite; every when the number is indefinite; as,       
Every seat was taken.      Five boys were seated on each bench.     Each one of these chairs is broken.       Leap year falls in every fourth year.    He came to see us every three days. It rained every day during my holidays.    I was away ten days and it rained each day.  
Little = not much ( i.e., hardly any ). Thus the adjective little has a negative meaning; as, 
There is little hope of his recovery, i.e., he is not likely to recover.
He showed little concern for his nephew.
He has little appreciation of good poetry.
A little= some though not much. ' A little ' has a positive meaning; as,
There is a little hope of his recovery, i.e.,he may possibly recover.
A little tack would have saved the situation.
A little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
The little=not much, but all there is; as,
The little information he had was not quite reliable.
The little knowledge of carpentry that he possessed stood him in good stead.
Few= not many, hardly any, ' few ' has a negative meaning; as,
Few persons can keep a secret.
Few people are so hopeless as drunkards.
Few towns in England have public libraries.
A few=some, ' A few ' has a positive meaning , and is opposed to ' none ' ; as,
A few words spoken in earnest will convince him.
A few Parsees write English correctly.
The few=not many, but all there are; as,
The few remarks that he made were very suggestive.
The few friends he has are all very poor.
The few clothes they had were all tattered and torn.

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