SEMINAR 7

Pronouns and Quantifiers

http://www.learnbritishenglish.co.uk/english-pronouns-visual-chart/

Task 1: Find mistakes in the following sentences.

1. One my friend is going to study at Harvard University next year. 2. He recommended a book to us but I cannot remember her name now. 3. Is this essay her? 4. I do not absolutely agree with that your colleague. 5. I met a friend of him at the seminar last week.

Reflexive Pronouns

We use a reflexive pronoun after a transitive verb (see Clauses, Sentences and Phrases) when the direct object is the same as the subject of the verb:

I am teaching myself to play the piano. Be careful with that knife. You might cut yourself.

These are the verbs most often found with reflexive pronouns:

cut dry enjoy hurt introduce kill prepare teach

Some verbs change their meaning slightly when they have a reflexive pronoun as direct object:

amuse apply busy content behave blame distance express find help see

Would you like to help yourself to

another drink? = Would you like to take another drink?

I wish the children would behave

themselves. = I wish the children would behave well.

He found himself lying by the side

of the road. =

He was surprised when he realised that he

was at the side of the road.

I saw myself as a famous actor. = I imagined that I was a famous actor.

She applied herself to the job of

mending the lights. = She worked very hard to mend the lights.

He busied himself in the kitchen. = He worked busily in the kitchen.

I had to content myself with a few

Euros. = I had to be satisfied with a few Euros.

She was beside herself with joy. = She was very happy.

The verb enjoy always has an object:

We all enjoyed the party. I really enjoyed my lunch.

If enjoy has no other object, we use a reflexive pronoun:

They all enjoyed They all enjoyed themselves.

I really enjoyed I really enjoyed myself.

NOTE: We do not use a reflexive pronoun after verbs which describe things people usually do for themselves:

He washed in cold water. He always shaved before going out in the evening. Michael dressed and got ready for the party.

We only use reflexives with these verbs for emphasis:

He dressed himself in spite of his injuries. She’s old enough to wash herself.

https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/english-grammar/pronouns/reflexive-pronouns

Task 2: Explain the meanings and differences between the following pairs of sentences.

1. a) He helped him.

b) He helped himself.

2. a) I went there myself.

b) I went there by myself.

3. a) They looked at themselves.

b) They looked at each other.

4. a) He didn´t understand.

b) He didn´t make himself understood.

5. a) Make yourself at home.

b) Make the tea yourself.

6. a) She was beside me.

b) She was beside herself with joy.

Task 3: Can you identify problems with reflexive pronouns in the following sentences? One sentence is correct.

1. When students fail, they rarely blame themself.

2. My boss gave the tickets to Henry and myself.

3. Audrey and myself are going to the shareholders' meeting this afternoon.

4. Hilda herself was responsible for the mistake that ruined the whole project.

5. Gayle asked if Paul and herself could leave work early that afternoon.

6. Mannie's mother left him at home by hisself while she went to the departmental meeting.

7. The president gave additional responsibilities to her staff and to ourselves.

8. Two of my colleagues completed the project by theirselves.

9. On behalf of my colleague and myself, I would like to thank you for your support.

10. I always ask for challenging projects, but my supervisor never gives them to myself.

Adapted from https://books.google.cz/books?isbn=9695250114 -

Task 4: Read the following text and correct the errors.

This generation's most successful business leader is no longer leading a business. With Steve Jobs' resignation as CEO of Apple, some are asking questions about the future of the technology industry.

A cruel disease is forcing the 56-year-old Jobs, who has done as much as anyone to transform the world through technology, to give up doing what he does better than anybody.

Jobs has been battling pancreatic cancer and other health problems since at least 2004, and has already taken three leaves of absence. Not nobody in the tech world is surprised by his departure, but everyone is saddened.

It's a sad moment for the Silicon Valley business world, which is losing his talents. It's a sad moment for all of customers who have been delighted by the products he gave to the world. And it's a sad moment for Steve Jobs and his family.

He has been one of the most influential leaders in the information age, continually pushing engineers to design consumer-friendly products. Everybody are familiar with his vision of elegant design and simplified features. You can pick up anyone of his products and be impressed by its design. Each has a look and feel that delights consumers.

The business world wonders if there is another who have the vision to carry on the Apple product line. Tim Cook officially began as interim CEO of Apple. Everyone at Apple hopes Cook will continue the vision of Jobs. However, the price of Apple stock dropped the day after Jobs resigned. Nobody doubts that the stock will rise again soon with the release of the next iPhone or iPad product.

Everybody who are making PCs, tablets, smart phones and cameras will continue to apply the lessons Steve Jobs put into the tech mind-set. But what of those brand new categories he didn't have time to dream up?

http://www.grammar-quizzes.com/agree5b.html.

Indefinite Pronouns

http://www.grammar-quizzes.com/agree5b.html.

Some indefinite pronouns are always singular. Others are always plural. Some, none, all, any, and most are singular when they refer to a quantity. They are plural when they refer to a number of individual items. SINGULAR PLURAL SINGULAR OR PLURAL each someone nobody several some any either everyone somebody few none most neither anyone everybody both all one no-one many One of the books was lost. Several in the club are good at speaking in public. Some of the money was missing. Some of the windows are dirty.

Task 5: Work in pairs. Explain the usage of the indefinite pronouns in the following sentences.

1. a) Nobody could help us. b) Anybody should be able to help you.

2. a) Do you have any questions? b) If you have any questions, I am ready to answer them now.

3. a) Can I have some more tea? b) Is there any more tea in the pot?

4. a) You can park on either side of the road. b) I like both English and French but I am not able to study them both right now.

5. a) Everybody knew the answer. b) Each of us knew the answer.

6. a) Neither of us wants to join their team. b) None of us want to join their team.

7. a) Few people send handwritten letters these days. b) A few people showed interest in our work.

8. a) I need another day to finish my presentation. b) The teacher asked us to do another five pages of the book.

9. a) Some scientists support this theory whereas others vehemently deny it. b) Some of your colleagues are already here but I do not know anything about the others.

10. a) Little knowledge is a dangerous thing. b) I know his books just a little.

We use indefinite pronouns to refer to people or things without saying exactly who or what they are. We use pronouns ending in -body or -one for people, and pronouns ending in -thing for things:

Everybody enjoyed the concert. I opened the door but there was no one at home. It was a very clear day. We could see everything.

We use a singular verb after an indefinite pronoun:

Everybody loves Sally. Everything was ready for the party.

When we refer back to an indefinite pronoun we normally use a plural pronoun:

Everybody enjoyed the concert. They stood up and clapped. I will tell somebody that dinner is ready. They have been waiting a long time.

We can add -'s to an indefinite pronoun to make a possessive.

They were staying in somebody’s house. Is this anybody’s coat?

We use indefinite pronouns with no- as the subject in negative clauses (not pronouns with any.)

Anybody didn’t come >> Nobody came.

We do not use another negative in a clause with nobody, no one or nothing:

Nobody came. Nothing happened.

We use else after indefinite pronouns to refer to people or things in addition to the ones we already mentioned.

All the family came, but no one else. If Michael can’t come we’ll ask somebody else. So that's eggs, peas and chips. Do you want anything else?

Task 6: Read the questions below and decide which answer best fits each space.

1. Before you apply for the course, I must tell you ... about the school. a) anything b) nothing c) something 2. It is a nice university town but there is ... to go in winter. a) nowhere b) nothing c) anywhere 3. ... wanted to talk to you when you were in the meeting. He left his number. a) Nobody b) Anybody c) Somebody 4. It's up to her so ... should tell her what to do. a) somebody b) nobody c) anybody 5. I can't see Kate ... Do you know where she is? a) anywhere

b) nowhere c) somewhere 6. Would you like me to do ... for you? a) something b) anything c) nothing 7. The workshop was great. We could do almost ... we wanted. a) something b) nothing c) anything 8. Is ... going to the presentation with me? a) anybody b) somebody c) nobody 9. He's not a liar. I'm sure ... he said was true. a) something b) everything c) anything 10. I didn't feel good at the conference, because there was ... I knew. a) anybody b) no-one c) someone 11. Paul lives ... in Canada. a) somewhere b) anywhere c) nowhere 12. We had known all the facts ha said. We found out ... new. a) anything b) something c) nothing 13. Don't worry, ... will be ok. a) anything b) something c) everything 14. Don't trust ... a) no-one b) anyone c) someone 15 . ... was surprised when he turned down the job offer. We didn't expect it. a) Someone

b) Nobody c) Everyone

Task 7: In the following sentences, fill in the gaps with one of the following quantifiers: much, many, a lot of, little, few.

1. It seems to me that we haven't had assignments in English this term.

2. How material can we be expected to read in one week?

3. I've unfortunately had headaches already because of stress.

4. My study room looks awful. There are so books everywhere.

5. I didn't write in my thesis and the teacher made me completely redo it.

6. Also, I've paid very attention to how to acknowledge the authors.

7. I'm afraid I haven't been to the lectures times this semester, that's why I failed the exam.

8. How good would it do if we contributed some money to this charity?

9. of the advice I have ever received from so-called "experts" has been useless.

10. They said that just help could make a big difference.

11. people know as much about computers as Tomas does.

12. It does us good when the banking system collapses. Adapted from http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/quizzes/cross/quantifiers2.htm

Task 8: Choose the appropriate letter A,B, C, D or E to complete the sentences.

1. Today ________ people who enjoy winter sports is bigger than that of twenty years ago.

A) a number of

B) many

C) a great deal of

D) the number of

E) several

2. According to the studies, dolphins, whales and ________ other sea creatures use highly

sophisticated navigation systems.

A) any

B) a little

C) many

D) much

E) each

3.The dietary habits of a child often have ________ to do with that child's eating habits as an adult.

A) little

B) whole

C) every

D) a great amount

E) most

4. In the United States of America, there are adult literacy classes for workers, ________ of whom

never graduated from high school.

A) a little

B) much

C) any

D) many

E) a good deal

5. In the first ________ months of life, an infant learns how to lift its head, how to smile and how to

recognize its parents.

A) many

B) a lot of

C) any

D) the number of

E) few

6. Serving ________ terms in Congress, Shirley Chisholm became an important United States

politician.

A) plenty

B) several

C) a lot

D) much

E) whole

7. Although the language learning abilities of apes have surprised ________ scientists, they generally

agree that apes do not progress beyond ________ linguistic abilities of a two-year-old child.

A) few / a

B) a little / the

C) many / the

D) each / a

E) much / the

8. The storm continued for ________ of the days when we were in New Orleans,·but fortunately there

wasn't ________ damage in the city.

A) a few / many

B) several / a lot

C) all / a little

D) most / much

E) some / few

9. Heavy fines and jail sentences have made ________ difference in preventing elephant poaching for

their tusks.

A) the number of

B) a few

C) little

D) many

E) none

10. Although ________ species of fox are reddish in color, ________ Arctic fox is often pure white.

A) a great amount of / an

B) any / the

C) plenty / the

D) all / an

E) most / the

http://www.grammarbank.com/determiners-quantifiers-tests.html

Task 9: Choose the correct option. When the internet became accessible to the public, people all over the world turned to (1) theirs/their

computers to surf the virtual world. In the beginning, only (2) a few/few realized the significance of the

internet and that (3) this/these will revolutionize the way we share information. Today, millions of

people in the world use their laptops and (4) another/other gadgets to access information featured in

various websites (5) each/every covering a particular niche. It is a fact that the internet can be used as

a learning aid, but educators are asking (6) them/themselves regarding the dangers of too (7)

much/many information. Some think that the dangers of the internet far outweigh the benefits, which is

why there are (8) those/these (9) who/which are calling for stricter regulations on (10) him/it.

Educators are afraid that adult content information may be easily accessed without prompting (11)

those/these young surfers (12) who/whom access (13) them/it for learning purposes. The educators

are asking: (14) Who/which will make sure that young kids will not be exposed to pornography or

excessive violence? Are web administrators and hosts competent enough to consider (15) each other/

themselves as their own regulators or censors? From this premise, parental tools were established to

protect children from inappropriate information. However, (16) others/other still believe that legislation

is the key in order to penalize malicious intent. Some consider this an intrusion to their free will. They

contend that the internet is the place for those (17) who/which wish to express their thoughts and

opinions without any kinds of censorship. This is not permissible especially if it is detrimental to our

health and security. (18) We/Each should know that information can be very powerful. We are deceiving

(19) us/ourselves if we believe that information is merely a tool for self-expression. Our history will

show that wars and even terrorism have emerged from information falling into the wrong hands. (20)

Which/Whose dark history shall we repeat before we learn from our mistakes?

http://schoolsquestiontime.org/english-grammar-exercises-part-1/

Task 10: Identify the mistakes in the following sentences.

1. Do you have any money? - No, nothing.

2. Nobody of us knew of it.

3. Both of them did not understand the question.

4. We have few information on the subject.

5. Very little people turned up for the lecture.

6. Can I have other question?

7. Most of people want to work.

8. The school accepted less students last year than the year before.

9. There are two beds in the room; you can sleep in both.

10. He has broken both his hands so now he cannot write with any.

Task 11: Choose the correct answer.

1. Most of the library books (has, have) been returned.

2. Everybody on the bus (was, were) going to Cleveland.

3. Few of the men (is, are) going to take part in the board meeting.

4. Neither of the two senators (has, have) explained the matter.

5. All of us (is, are) hoping that Steve will get the job.

6. Nobody (knows, know) the answer to your question.

7. Several of the retired men (has, have) started volunteer tutoring at the school.

8. One of them (is, are) badly mistaken.

9. Everyone at the company party (was, were) familiar with the new project.

10. No one (is, are) doing his best work.

11. (Is, Are) there any of the cake left?

12. Both of the girls (is, are) going to Ohio State next autumn.

13. Many of the foreign partners (wants, want) to visit our branch this year.

14. (Was, Were) somebody looking for me?

15. Some of us (has, have) never been invited there.

16. Each of us (was, were) planning to go.

17. (Has, Have) anyone seen my notebook?

18. Both women (is, are) good research workers

https://www.sinclair.edu/centers/tlc/pub/handouts_worksheets/grammar_punctuation_writing/pronouns_indefinite.pdf

. Task 12: Translate into English

1. Ocitli jsme se v trapné situaci. 2. Parkovat můžete na kterékoli straně ulice. 3. Pokud budete mít nějaké problémy, neváhejte se mě zeptat. 4. Nikdo z nás o tom nevěděl. 5. Nevidí ani na jedno oko. 6. Nic z toho, co říkala, nebyla pravda. 7. Jak vy, tak my chceme získat ty nejlepší výsledky. 8. Buďto náš, nebo jejich projekt bude prezentován na příští konferenci. 9. Dohlédneme na to osobně. 10. Samotná studie bude finančně náročná.

Sources: ACKLES, Nancy M a Steve ELSWORTH. The grammar guide: developing language skills for academic success.

New ed., 6th impr. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press, c2003, xiii, 246 p. ISBN 04-720-8882-3.

MANN, Malcolm a Steve TAYLORE-KNOWLES. Destination B2: grammar and vocabulary with answer key. 1st

publ. Oxford: Macmillan, 2006, 254 s. ISBN 978-023-0035-386.

WALKER, Elaine a Steve ELSWORTH. Grammar practice for upper intermediate students: with key. New ed., 6th

impr. Harlow, Essex: Longman, 2005. ISBN 05-824-1721-X.

SAN MATEO COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT. Study Zone [online]. 2008 [cit. 2014-04-04]. Available from: http://www.grammar-quizzes.com

LOVELY LANGUAGE.COM. Study Zone [online]. 2012 [cit. 2014-04-04].

OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS. Study Zone [online]. 2007-2014 [cit. 2014-04-04]. Available from:

http://www.oupcanada.com/higher_education/companion/literature/9780195425154/eng_135/quiz_pron

oun_errors.html

http://www.learnbritishenglish.co.uk/english-pronouns-visual-chart/

https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/english-grammar/pronouns/reflexive-pronouns

https://books.google.cz/books?isbn=9695250114 –

http://www.grammar-quizzes.com/agree5b.html.

http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/quizzes/cross/quantifiers2.htm

http://schoolsquestiontime.org/english-grammar-exercises-part-1/

https://www.sinclair.edu/centers/tlc/pub/handouts_worksheets/grammar_punctuation_writing/pronouns_i

ndefinite.pdf