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Advanced Quantifiers (A great deal of, a large number of)

Learn how to use advanced quantifiers like a great deal of and a large number of to express quantity in different contexts.

What Are Advanced Quantifiers?

Advanced quantifiers are words or phrases that express a specific quantity or amount, but they are more complex than basic quantifiers like 'some' or 'many'.

Why Is This Important?

Using advanced quantifiers like a great deal of and a large number of helps you sound more precise and sophisticated in both writing and speaking.

How to Use 'A Great Deal of' and 'A Large Number of'

'A great deal of' is used with uncountable nouns to express a large quantity or amount. 'A large number of' is used with countable nouns to express a large quantity of individual items.

Common Examples

There is a great deal of information in this book. (Uncountable noun)
There are a large number of people at the event. (Countable noun)

Key Points

  • Use 'a great deal of' with uncountable nouns
    • She has a great deal of experience.
    • There is a great deal of work to do.
  • Use 'a large number of' with countable nouns
    • There are a large number of books on the shelf.
    • We invited a large number of guests to the party.

Rules for Using Advanced Quantifiers

  • Use 'a great deal of' with uncountable nouns to express large quantities

    • She has a great deal of patience.
    • There is a great deal of traffic today.
    • He has a great deal of knowledge in this area.

  • Use 'a large number of' with countable nouns to express large quantities

    • There are a large number of students in the classroom.
    • I have a large number of friends.
    • They have a large number of books in their library.

  • Don't mix 'a great deal of' with countable nouns or 'a large number of' with uncountable nouns

    • Incorrect: I have a great deal of books.
    • Correct: I have a large number of books.

  • Special Cases & Exceptions:

    In some cases, both quantifiers can be used, but they must match the type of noun they refer to (countable or uncountable).

  • Remember: Use 'a large number of' for countable and 'a great deal of' for uncountable nouns.

    • Correct: There are a large number of students.
    • Incorrect: There are a great deal of students.
ExampleTenseUse
She has a great deal of experience.Present'A great deal of' for uncountable nouns
There are a large number of books on the shelf.Present'A large number of' for countable nouns
There is a great deal of traffic today.Present'A great deal of' for uncountable nouns
We invited a large number of guests.Past'A large number of' for countable nouns

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