UNIT 86. All/all of, most/most of, no/none of, etc.

A

all
some
any
most
much/many
little/few
no

You can use the words in the box with a noun (some food / few books, etc.):
– All cars have wheels.
– Some cars can go faster than others.
– (on a notice) NO CARS. (= no cars allowed)
– Many people drive too fast.
– I don’t go out very often. I stay home most days.

You cannot say “all of cars,” “some of people,” etc.

Note that we say most (not the most):
– Most tourists don’t visit this part of town. (not The most tourists)

B

all
some
any
most
much/many
little/few
half
none

You can use the words in the box with of (some of / most of, etc.).
We use some of / most of / none of, etc. + the/this/that/these/those/my …, etc.
So you can say some of the people, some of those people (but not some of people):
– Some of the people I work with are not very friendly.
– None of this money is mine.
– Have you read any of these books?
– I was sick yesterday. I spent most of the day in bed.

You don’t need of after all or half. So you can say:
– All my friends live in Los Angeles, or All of my friends …
– Half this money is mine. or Half of this money …

Compare:
– All flowers are beautiful. (= all flowers in general)
All (of) the flowers in this garden are beautiful. (a specific group of flowers)
– Most problems have a solution. (most problems in general)
We were able to solve most of the problems we had. (= a specific group of problems)

C

You can use all of / some of / none of, etc. + it/us/you/them:
– “How many of these people do you know?” “None of them. / A few of them.”
– Do any of you want to come to a party tonight?
– “Do you like this music?” “Some of it. Not all of it.”

We say: all of us / all of you / half of it / half of them, etc. You cannot leave out of before it/us/you/them:
– All of us were late. (not All us)
– I haven’t finished the book yet. I’ve only read half of it. (not half it)

D

You can also use some/most/none, etc., alone, without a noun:
– Some cars have four doors and some have two.
– A few of the shops were open, but most (of them) were closed.
– Half this money is mine, and half (of it) is yours. (not the half)