| MOST STUDENTS | MOST OF THE STUDENTS |
|---|---|
Use most to refer to a quantity of an unspecific group. We use most when we are speaking in general and do not have a specific group of people or things in mind. |
Use most of the X to refer to a quantity of a specific group. Note the expression includes a phrase defining the number to a specific group. |
Most students ask questions. |
Most of the students in my English class ask questions.
|
All students want A's. |
All of the students in
my class want A's.
|
Many students want less homework. |
Many of the students in
my school want less homework.
|
A few students had to stay for a review session. (some) |
A few of
the students who have low grades had to stay for a review session.
|
Few students had to stay for a review session. (not many) |
Few of
the students who have low grades had to stay for a review session.
|
| A NUMBER OF | THE NUMBER OF |
|---|---|
A number of means several. When a verb follows this phrase, it is plural. |
The number of states a quantity, an exact or inexact amount. When a verb follows this phrase, it is singular: is (equals, has risen, has decreased, has increased) |
A number of students study engineering. (unspecific group)
|
The number of students is forty. (an unspecific group, an exact quantity – forty.) |
A number of the students in my class are honor students. (specific) |
The number of the students in my class is thirty / low / high.
|
A number of the students there received scholarships. (specific) |
The number of the students in my class is unexpected.
|
We couldn't count a number of students because they were unregistered. (unspecific group, unknown quantity) |
We couldn't count the number of students in my class because many were unregistered. (a specific group, an inexact quantity – many.)
|
Pop-Q " Quantity"
Also see:
Quantity Phrases (agreement)
| ERROR | SOLUTION |
|---|---|
*Most of students have a good time Saturday night. |
Most students have a good time on Saturday night. |
*Some of people don't care what they do in public. |
Some people don't care what they do in public. |
We are finding that the number of students are buying their textbooks online.
|
We are finding that a number of students are buying their textbooks online. |
*Yellow highlighted words are examples of incorrect usage.
on demand – whenever a person wants (mail order, download, or streaming)