The Correct Use Of Some Adjectives

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The Correct Use Of Some Adjectives

Published on Friday 6 April 2012 in Grammar

Some , Any :- To express quantity or degree some is used 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 definite.

Every seat was taken.
Five boys were seated on each bench.
Each one of these chairs is broken.
Leap year falls in every four 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--
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).

Few, A few, The few :- Note carefully the use of the following.
Few = not many, hardly any, FEW has a negative meaning.

Few persons can keep a secret.
Few are so hopeless as drunkards.
Few towns in London have public libraries.

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 Gujrati 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 cloths they had were all tattered and torn.