most, some, all and the rest go straight before a noun when you mean things in general (most people). Add of before the, this, my and so on (most of the people), and before it, them and us (some of them). all the and all my usually drop the of.
A In general, or particular ones
children / money / books (no the) = in general.
the children / the money / these books = particular ones that we know about.
- Dogs need exercise. (= dogs in general)
- Money doesn't buy happiness. (= money in general)
- Where are the dogs? (= our dogs)
- I'd like a new bike, but I haven't got the money. (= the money for a bike)
- Have you read these magazines?
B most / some etc. + noun
In general, use all / most / some / any / no + noun, with no of.
- Most children like ice cream. (not Most of children)
- Some fish can live out of water. (not Some of fish)
- All cars need petrol or electricity.
- I don't need any help.
- She's got no brothers or sisters.
C most of / some of + the, this, my ...
Before the / this / that / these / those / my / your etc., use of: most of the, some of these, none of my.
With all, the of is usually dropped: all the students, all my life.
- Most of the pupils at this school live nearby.
- I don't want any of this food.
- Some of these photos are very old.
- None of my cousins live in London.
- All the players in our team were exhausted.
- My grandmother has lived in this village all her life.
D all of it, most of them, none of us
Before it / them / us / you, always use of: all of it, most of them, some of us, any of you, none of them.
- You can have some of this pizza, but not all of it.
- "Do you know the people next door?" "Most of them, but not all of them."
- Some of us are going bowling tonight. Do you want to come?
- I've got loads of DVDs, but I haven't watched any of them.
- "How many of these films have you seen?" "None of them."
Exercises
81.1 Complete the sentences. Use the word in brackets (some/most etc.). Sometimes you need of (some of / most of etc.).
Most children like ice cream. (most)
Most children like ice cream.
Some of this money belongs to you. (some)
Some of this money belongs to you.
people are always late. (some)
Some people are always late.
the restaurants in the town centre close at eleven. (most)
Most of the restaurants in the town centre close at eleven.
You can pay by card in shops. (most)
You can pay by card in most shops.
I don't like the curtains in this flat. (any)
I don't like any of the curtains in this flat.
She's spent her savings. (all)
She's spent all her savings.
my classmates have got a car. (none)
None of my classmates have got a car.
Do you recognise the people in this video? (any)
Do you recognise any of the people in this video?
insects have wings. (most)
Most insects have wings.
I enjoyed the book, but the last chapter was disappointing. (most)
I enjoyed most of the book, but the last chapter was disappointing.
jobs are very stressful. (some)
Some jobs are very stressful.
We can't get a table anywhere. the restaurants are fully booked. (all)
We can't get a table anywhere. All the restaurants are fully booked.
You must try this soup. It's lovely. (some)
You must try some of this soup. It's lovely.
Our holiday was a washout. It rained the time. (most)
Our holiday was a washout. It rained most of the time.
81.2 Read each scene and answer the question. Use all/most/some/none + of them / of it.
A football squad of ten players: eight boys and two girls.
How many of the players are boys?
Most of them.
Most of them.
Six mugs. All six are in the sink.
How many of the mugs are in the sink?
All of them.
Five cyclists. Not one of them has a helmet on.
How many of the cyclists are wearing helmets?
None of them.
A car park with eight spaces. Three are free; five are taken.
How many of the spaces are free?
Some of them.
Twelve passengers on a tram. Ten are sitting; two are standing by the doors.
How many of the passengers are sitting?
Most of them.
A pizza on the table. Grace says, "I'm going to eat the whole thing."
How much of the pizza is Grace going to eat?
All of it.
81.3 Right or wrong? Correct the sentences that are wrong. Write OK if the sentence is correct.
Most of children like ice cream.
Most children like ice cream.
Most children like ice cream.
All the players were exhausted.
OK
All the players were exhausted.
Some of people never listen.
Some people never listen.
Some of questions in the test were really hard.
Some of the questions in the test were really hard.
I haven't met any of those people before.
I haven't met any of those people before.
All of spiders have eight legs.
All spiders have eight legs.
Have you watched all these videos?
Have you watched all these videos?
Most of students in my group are really friendly.
Most of the students in my group are really friendly.
Most of my colleagues are coming to the meal.
Most of my colleagues are coming to the meal.
I'm exhausted today. I was awake most of night.
I'm exhausted today. I was awake most of the night.