Thank you Writeacher for your answers today :)
Here are some other questions :) :
Do you say We've had a lot of rain recently or lots of rain?
Can someone explain the difference between those two phrases - in your own words. Also what exactly is the difference between a little and a few. Do we use a little only with singular and a few only with plural?
Thank you
1st question --
You can say either "a lot of..." or "lots of..." -- but you'll need to be careful about the verb if you're using lot/lots as the subject of the sentence. (lot = singular; lots = plural)
2nd question --
Here you're dealing with words that usually modify count (few) and non-count (little) nouns.
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/noncount.htm
Count nouns are those things you can actually count, such as buttons, children, pets, etc. Non-count nouns are those you cannot actually count (even if they are in plural form), such as sand, milk, air, etc. Be sure to read that webpage carefully and take note of the different count nouns and non-count nouns.
So you would say, "I had very little sleep last night."
And you would say, "There were fewer students in class today than yesterday."
Post again if you have questions or if you have sentences that you need looked at.
You're welcome! I'm glad you found my previous answers helpful. Now, let's explore the differences between the phrases "We've had a lot of rain recently" and "We've had lots of rain."
Both phrases convey a similar meaning, indicating a significant amount of rain in the recent past. However, there is a slight difference in nuance.
"We've had a lot of rain recently" suggests a general statement about the magnitude of rainfall. It emphasizes the volume of rain but doesn't specify how it compares to a normal or expected amount.
On the other hand, "We've had lots of rain recently" emphasizes the abundance or excessiveness of rain. By using "lots," the speaker implies that the amount of rain received is more than expected or perhaps even more than desired.
Regarding the difference between "a little" and "a few," these phrases generally refer to small quantities, but they are used differently based on countability.
"A little" is used with uncountable nouns. For example, you can say "We have a little milk left" or "I need a little patience." In these instances, "a little" suggests a small amount or quantity.
"A few," on the other hand, is used with countable nouns in the plural form. For example, "We have a few apples left" or "I need a few minutes." "A few" denotes a small number or quantity.
While "a little" is typically used with singular uncountable nouns, it's worth noting that there are exceptions. For instance, you can say "a little bit of time" and "a little amount of money."
Similarly, "a few" can also be used with certain singular nouns to refer to a small number of something. For example, you can say "a few people were there" or "a few days remain."
In summary, "a little" is primarily used with uncountable singular nouns, while "a few" is generally used with plural countable nouns. However, there are occasional exceptions to these patterns.