Quantifiers
Cuantificadores: much, many, a lot of, a few, a little
Los cuantificadores expresan cantidad y dependen de si el sustantivo es CONTABLE o INCONTABLE. Esta distinción no existe con la misma claridad en español, por eso es una fuente constante de errores. En inglés no puedes decir 'many water' ni 'much books' — cada cuantificador tiene un dominio específico.
La primera regla fundamental: MANY va con sustantivos contables plurales (many books, many people, many problems), MUCH va con sustantivos incontables (much water, much time, much information). Un truco: si puedes contar el sustantivo uno a uno, es contable y usa MANY. Si no puedes contarlo, es incontable y usa MUCH.
A LOT OF es neutral — funciona con contables e incontables y se usa principalmente en oraciones afirmativas: 'I have a lot of friends', 'She drinks a lot of water'. MUCH y MANY son más comunes en oraciones negativas y preguntas: 'I don't have much time', 'Did you meet many people?'. Usar MUCH en afirmativas ('I have much money') suena anticuado o muy formal.
A FEW y A LITTLE expresan una cantidad pequeña pero positiva (hay algo). FEW y LITTLE (sin el artículo 'a') expresan cantidad insuficiente o escasa (casi nada). 'I have a few friends' = tengo algunos amigos (positivo). 'I have few friends' = tengo muy pocos amigos (negativo implícito). Este matiz es muy frecuente en exámenes y comunicación precisa.
CONTABLES: MANY / A FEW / FEW + sustantivo plural many books, a few friends, few opportunities INCONTABLES: MUCH / A LITTLE / LITTLE + sustantivo singular much time, a little sugar, little hope AMBOS: A LOT OF + sustantivo (contable o incontable) a lot of books, a lot of water TOO MANY / TOO MUCH + sustantivo = exceso ENOUGH + sustantivo = suficiente
Debugging lab
Corrige o completa la línea. 7 ejercicios por tema.
- 2.14.6.1
I don't have many time to finish this.
- 2.14.6.2
She has much friends at school.
- 2.14.6.3
There are a little chairs in the room.
- 2.14.6.4
I have few money left, but I can help you.
- 2.14.6.5
Did you meet many peoples at the conference?
- 2.14.6.6
There is too many noise in this neighborhood.
- 2.14.6.7
We don't have enough of chairs for everyone.
- 2.14.6.8
She has many informations about the project.
- 2.14.6.9
I have few friends in this city.
- 2.14.6.10
There is a little traffic today.
- 2.14.6.11
There are too much people in this room.