數量詞的使用將影響聽者與讀者的理解，而且可能一個字母的區別，差距就很大了。再者，數量詞搭配可數名詞和不可數名詞用法也不同，也需要一起注意。
President Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe are expected to discuss a number of issues, including trade and relations with North Korea.
川普總統和日本安倍首相預計要討論 ____ 議題，包括貿易，以及與北韓的關係。
先來做個測試，當你看完上面這句話，空格內將會填入: 一個 ? 一些 ? 還是很多呢 ?
A. 使用於可數名詞前，表示很多，
例如 a lot of , lots of, many, plenty of
Dr. Lee has a lot of patients, so he has to work at least ten hours a day.
李醫師的病人很多，所以他必須一天工作至少10小時
I’ve got lots of things to do.
我有很多事要做
There are many new hotels in the city.
這個城市有很多新開的旅館
Don’t worry. You have plenty of options.
別擔心，你有很多選擇的
B. 使用於可數名詞前，表示許多，例如several, a number of
Heidi bought several rings and necklaces yesterday.
Heidi昨天買了許多戒指和項鍊
Ted has a number of shirts.
Ted 有許多件襯衫
C. 使用於可數名詞前，表示一些，例如 some, a few
We need to make some changes to our project.
我們需要對計畫做一些改變
Jean has had a few problems with her new computer.
Jean 的那台新電腦一直有些問題
D. 使用於可數名詞前，表示很少 (few), 兩者 (both), 大部分 (most ), 全部 ( all )
Matt has very few friends.
Matt 的朋友很少
Both my parents are retired.
我的爸媽兩人都退休了
I believe that most people are friendly.
我相信大多數人是友善的
All the eggs in the basket got broken.
籃子裡全部的雞蛋都破了
E. 使用於不可數名詞前，表示很多，例如a lot of, lots of, much, plenty of, a great deal of
John is hoping to make a lot of money to support his family.
John 希望賺很多錢養活他的家人
Wendy eats lots of fruit every day.
Wendy 每天吃很多水果
Cathy spends too much on shoes.
Cathy 花費太多錢買鞋了
No hurry. You’ve got plenty of time.
不用急，你有很多時間
Judy doesn’t have a great deal of patience.
Judy 不是很有耐心
F. 使用於不可數名詞前，表示一些，例如 some, a little
Susan gave me some good advice.
Susan給了我一些好建議
I like to listen to a little music before I go to bed.
我喜歡在睡覺前聽一些音樂
G. 使用於不可數名詞前，表示很少 (little) , 大部分 (most ), 全部 ( all )
My grandfather usually adds little salt to his food.
我爺爺通常喜歡在他的食物加上少少的鹽
Most of the work is done by Alex.
大部分的工作都是Alex完成的
Have you drunk all of the coffee?
你把全部的咖啡都喝光了嗎？
你注意到了嗎？ a lot of , lots of, plenty of, most, all, some
都可用在可數與不可數名詞哦!
本文經EF English Live線上英文授權刊登，原文發表於此
