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Correct Use of Some Adjectives

Published on Monday, December 25, 2017
Correct Use of Some Adjectives

Some

To express quantity or degree some is used normally in affirmative sentences.
For e.g.:- I will buy some mangoes.
Some is used in questions which are really offers/requests or which expect the answer “Yes”.

For e.g.:-

  • Will you have some samosa and tea? (Offer) 
  • Could you lend me some money? (Request) 
  • Did you buy some clothes? (I expect you did.) 

Any

In negative or interrogative sentences. But any can be used after ‘if’ in affirmative sentences.

For e.g.:- 

  • If you need any money I will help you. 
  • I will not buy any mangoes. 
  • Have you bought any chocolates? 

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. 

For e.g.:-

  • Every seat was taken in the bus. 
  • Five boys were seated on each bench. 
  • Every one of these toys is expensive. 
  • 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: -

(1) Little = not much (i.e., hardly any). Thus, the adjective little has a negative meaning.

For e.g.:-

  • There is little hope of his recovery. (i.e.:- he is not likely to recovery) 
  • He showed little concern for his father. 
  • He has little influence over his old followers. 
  • He showed little mercy to the thief. 
  • He has little appreciation of good poetry. 

(2) A little = some though not much. 'A little' has a positive meaning.

For e.g.:-

  • There is a little hope of his recovery. (i.e.:-he may possibly recover.) 
  • A little tactics is also required in the game of chess. 
  • A little knowledge is a dangerous thing. 

(3) The little = not much, but all there is.

For e.g.:-

  • 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

(1) Few = not many, hardly any, 'Few' has a negative meaning.

For e.g.:-

  • Only a few persons can keep a secret. 
  • Few people are as hopeless as drunkards. 
  • Few towns in India have public libraries. 
  • Few workers attended work today. 
  • Few men are free from faults. 
  • Few men reach the age of one hundred years. 
  • Few students passed IBPS exam. 

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

For e.g.:-

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

(3) The few = not many, but all there are.

For e.g.:-

  • 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. 

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