Welcome to English Language 11/7/2019

1. Welcome to English Language 11/7/2019 Paul Ferguson

2. Revision from last week - Comparative adjectives What are comparative adjectives? Comparative adjectives are used to compare differences between the two objects they modify (e.g. larger, smaller, faster, higher). They are used in sentences where two nouns are compared: Noun + verb + comparative adjective+ than + noun. E.g. The cat ran faster than the dog.

3. Make up some phrases using Rocket Bicycle Car House Elephant Cat Dog Mouse Snail Fish Sun Torch Aircraft carrier Dinghy David Mark Susan Comparative words (adjectives) So we can make a comparative adjective ourselves First let us list some examples : Big – bigger Fast – faster Fat – fatter Thin – thinner Short – shorter Tall - taller High – higher Small – smaller Bright – brighter Dim – dimmer Wide – wider Slim – slimmer

4. Superlative adjectives What are superlative adjectives? Superlative adjectives are used to describe an object which is at the upper or lower limit of a quality (e.g. the tallest, the smallest, the fastest, the highest). In other words, they describe extremes. They are used in sentences to compare three or more nouns: Noun + verb + the + superlative adjective+ noun.E.g. Parrots are the noisiest birds in the jungle.

5. So we can make a superlative adjective ourselves First let us List some examples : Big – biggest Fast – fastest Fat – fattest Thin – thinnest Short – shortest Tall - tallest High – highest Small – smallest Bright – brightest Dim – dimmest Wide – widest Slim – slimmest Make up some phrases using: Burj Dubai …. Building in the world Eiffel tower Cheetah …. animal Car House Elephant Cat Dog Mouse Snail Mount Everest …. mountain Sun …. object in the sky A torch … light Aircraft carrier Dinghy David … in the team Mark … in the school Susan … in the class Superlative adjectives

9. How To Use: Some Any, Much Many, Little Few Some, any, much, many, few and little are all words that come before nouns to help explain them. Some and any are both “determiners” – they tell us whether the noun phrase is general or specific. Some and any are both “general determiners”, which means they refer to an indefinite or unknown quantity of something. Much, many, few and little are all “quantifiers”. Quantifiers are used to give information about quantity (the number of something). Both much and many suggest a large quantity of something, whilst little and few mean: not as much, or not as many. However, if you use a little or a few this means: a small amount! But how do we know when to use each word? Broadly speaking, the rules for using these terms are based on whether the noun we are referring to is countable, uncountable, plural vs. singular OR whether they appear in positive or negative sentences or questions. Be careful because each set of words has its own particular rules and exceptions! Let’s take a closer look…

10. Some / any The words some and any are used when the exact number or amount of something is not known, or when it’s not important. Some and any are both used to refer to an indefinite quantity or number. Example: There are some birds in our garden.(We don’t know exactly how many birds are in the garden or it doesn’t matter how many birds there are exactly) As opposed to: There are three birds in our garden.(The number of birds is important and exact)

11. There are some birds in our garden. There are many birds in our garden! There are too many birds in our garden.

12. There are three birds in our garden.

13. Some and any are known as “general determiners”. They are used to modify nouns, specifically to tell us that the noun phrase is general (rather than specific). Countable or uncountable nouns:We don’t have any time to get popcorn before the film starts.(Time is uncountable)We still have some apples on the tree. (Apples are countable) Singular or plural nouns:We don’t have any chicken left for dinner. (Chicken is singular)It’s such nice weather! Let’s invite some friends round for a BBQ. (Friends is plural)

14. When do I use someand when do I use any? Although some and any are both used to describe an indefinite number, they are used in different ways. So how do we use them correctly? In general, some is used in positive sentences (that don’t contain the word ‘not’): • I would love to try some of that food! • I have bought some strawberries. • Let’s invite some friends round tonight! • Some people think it is better to exercise a lot.

15. Any is used in negative sentences (that contain the word ‘not’): 1 We do not have any space left in the car.2 I do not need any help with my homework. 3 There is not any milk in the fridge. 4 I am not hungry so I do not want anything to eat. And in questions: 1 Have you got any idea how long the film lasts?2 Do you have any brothers or sisters?3 Is there any salt and pepper?4 Do you have any plans for the summer?

21. There are some exceptions to these rules. We can use some in questions when offering something or making requests: 1 Would you like some milk in your tea?2 Can I get you something to drink?3 Shall we invite some friends round?4 Can I borrow some money? We use any in positive sentences when we mean “it doesn’t matter which…”: 1 You can sit anywhere you like.2 You can play any song.3 Choose any pair of shoes.4 I will take any of them!

22. Much / Many Much and many are known as “quantifiers”. They are used to talk about quantities, amounts or degrees (along with ‘a lot of’ and ‘lots of’) and suggest a large quantity of something. 1 There are not many doctors in the hospital today. (doctors are countable)2 Many people choose to retire in Spain. (People are countable)3 There is not much light in this room. (light is uncountable)4 Too much money was spent on the wedding. (money is uncountable)

23. Reference: On line teachers UK https://onlineteachersuk.com/some-any-much-many-little-few/