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Correct use of some Adjectives


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.



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.
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.

Every seat was taken.
Five boys were seated on each bench.
Every one of these chairs is broken.
Leap year falls in every fourth year.
He came to see us every three days [i.e., once in every period of three days].
It rained every day during my holidays.
I was away ten days and it rained each day.

Little, a little, the little.- Note carefully the use of-
(1) little,
(2) a little,
(3) the little.

Little = not much (i.e., hardly any). Thus, the adjective little has a negative meaning.
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 influence with his old followers.
He showed little mercy to the vanquished.
He has little appreciation of good poetry.

A little = some though not much. 'A little' has a positive meaning-There is a little hope of his recovery, i.e., he may possibly recover.

A little tact would have saved the situation.
A little knowledge is a dangerous thing.

The little = not much, but all there is.
The little information he had was not quite reliable.

The little knowledge of carpentry that he possessed stood him in good stead. [The sentence means-The knowledge of carpentry he possessed was not much; but all that knowledge stood him in good stead.]


Exercise in Composition

Insert 'a little', or 'the little' whichever is suitable:-
--- grain they had was damaged by sea water.
--- precaution is necessary in handling that machine.
--- care could have prevented the catastrophe.
--- influence that he has, he uses to the best advantage.
--- knowledge of French that he has is likely to be very useful to him on the Continent.

Few, a few, the few. Note carefully the use of :-
(1) few,
(2) a few,
(3) the few.

Few = not many, hardly any, 'Few' has a negative meaning.
Few persons can keep a secret.
Few people are so hopeless as drunkards.
Few towns in India have public libraries.
Few works of reference are so valuable as the Encyclopaedia Britannica.
Few men are free from faults.
Few men reach the age of one hundred years.
Few Parsees write Gujarati correctly.

A few = some. 'A few' has a positive meaning, and is opposed to 'none'.

A few words spoken in earnest will convince him.
A few Parsees write Gujarati correctly.

The few = not many, but all there are.
The few remarks that he made were very suggestive.

[The sentence means- The remarks that he made were not many; but all those remarks were very suggestive.]

The few friends he has are all very poor.
The few clothes they had were all tattered and torn.

Exercise in Composition

Insert 'a few' or 'the few' whichever is suitable:-
--- public libraries that we have are not well equipped.
--- days that are left to him he spends in solitude and meditation.
Many Hindus study Sanskrit, but only --- Parsees study Avesta.
--- days' rest is all that is needed.
Have you got --- potatoes left?
It is a question of spending --- rupees.
--- hints on essay-writing are quite to the point.


--- months that he spent in Ooty did him a lot of good.
When I met him --- years after, he looked old and haggard.
--- short poems in the volume show signs of genius.
In --- words he expressed his gratitude to his friends.
--- Americans have their offices in Kolkata.
--- trinkets she has are not worth much.
--- poems he has written are all of great excellence

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