Quantifying expressions: a lot, lots, a great deal, the majority, etc

Introduction; use of of

Expressions of this kind have similar meanings to the determiners much, many and most, but the grammar is not quite the same. In particular, of is used after these expressions even before nouns with no determiner. Compare:

• There’s not a lot of meat left. (not There’s not a lot meat left.)
  There’s not much meat left. (not There’s not much of meat left.)
• Plenty of shops open on Sunday mornings. (not Plenty shops …)
  Many shops open on Sunday mornings. (not Many of shops …)

a lot of and lots of

These are rather informal. In a more formal style, we prefer a great deal of, a large number of, much or many. There is not much difference between a lot of and lots of: they are both used mainly before singular uncountable and plural nouns, and before pronouns. It is the subject, and not the form lot/lots, that makes a following verb singular or plural. So when a lot of is used before a plural subject, the verb is plural; when lots of is used before a singular subject, the verb is singular.

• A lot of time is needed to learn a language.
• Lots of patience is needed, too. (not Lots of patience are needed, too.)
• A lot of my friends want to emigrate. (not A lot of my friends wants …)
• Lots of us think it’s time for an election.

plenty of

Plenty of is usually rather informal. It is used mostly before singular uncountables and plurals. It suggests ‘enough and more’.

• Don’t rush. There’s plenty of time.
• Plenty of shops sell batteries.

a great deal of, a large amount of and a large number of

These are used in similar ways to a lot of and lots of, but are more formal. A great deal of and a large amount of are generally used with uncountable nouns.

• Mr Lucas has spent a great deal of time in the Far East.
• I’ve thrown out a large amount of old clothing.

A large number of is used before plurals, and a following verb is plural.

• A large number of problems still have to be solved. (More common than A large amount of problems … or A great deal of problems …)

Some people think it is a mistake to use a plural noun after a large amount or a great deal, but the usage is quite common in standard English speech.

the majority of

The majority of (= ‘most’ or ‘most of’) is mostly used with plural nouns and verbs.

• The majority of criminals are non-violent.

However, if it is used with a singular noun, any following verb is singular.

• The majority of his work is concerned with children’s artistic development.

Not used with measurement nouns

These expressions are not generally used before words for units of measure, like pounds, years or miles. Other words have to be used.

• It cost several pounds. (not It cost a lot of pounds.)
• They lived many miles from the town. (not They lived plenty of miles from the town.)

Use without following nouns

These expressions can be used without nouns if the meaning is clear. In this case, of is not used.

• ‘How much money did it cost?’ ‘A lot.’ (not A lot of.)
• We should be all right for cheese – I’ve bought plenty.
• He does not often speak, but when he does he says a great deal.

note

For a couple of, (see here).