THE ADJECTIVE(2)

                            CHAPTER-9

62. An adjective is a word used to qualify(or to add something to the meaning) of a Noun;as,
   
>) A beautiful girl.
>) This woman.
>) My pen.
>) Some bread.
>) Four boys.

63. Look at the following sentences:---

1. Raman was a brave boy.
2. Raman is brave.

*) In sentence 1, the Adjective  brave comes immediately before the Noun it limits.
    it is used as an epithet or attribute.It is ,therefore ,said to be used Attributively.
*) In sentence 2, the Adjective brave is used along with the Verb is and form part of the Predicate.
     It  is,therefore, said to be used Predicatively.

NOTE:--(1)  Some Adjectives can be used only Predicatively;as,

>) She is quite well.
>) She is afraid of her mother-in-law.

(2) Adjectives are sometimes used Adverbially;as,
   >)  Do not talk so loud[=loudly]

                 KINDS OF ADJECTIVES

*) Adjectives are of the following kinds:--

64. Adjectives of Quality (or Descriptive,Adjectives) qualify or describe an object by telling us
      of what quality,of what sort,or in what state the object is.

>) Afzal is a lazy boy.
>) He is a good man.
>) He has a black horse.
>) It was a golden opportunity.
>) The English Language is difficult to learn
>) I like the Turkish tobacco.

NOTE:--(1) Sometimes such Adjectives as English,Turkish,etc., which are formed from Proper Nouns are called Proper Adjectives.



(2). Adjectives of Quality answer the question:'Of what kind?'

65. Adjectives of Quantity qualify a Noun by showing the quantity of the thing names.They tell
      us how much of a thing is intended.

>) He ate some rice.
>) He did not drink much milk.
>) He ate little bread.
>) HE has enough(or sufficient) bread.
>) He did not eat  any bread.
>) He walked all the way(or the whole way) back.
>) Half a loaf is better than no bread.
>) He takes great care of his health.

NOTE:--Adjectives of Quantity answer the question:'How much?'

66. Adjectives of Number(or Numeral Adjectives) denote the number of persons or things named.
      They show how many or in what order persons or things are taken.

>) A week has seven days.
>) Few boys like to work hard.
>) Many people think so.
>) All men must one day die.
>) Here are some pictures of you.
>) Most boys like to go to the cinema.
>) I warned him several times.
>) January is the first month os the year.

NOTE:--Adjectives of Number answer the question:'How many?' or"In what order?'

67. Adjectives of Number(or Numeral Adjectives) are sub-divided into two main clauses:--

1.Definite.                             2.Indefinite.

(1) Definite Numeral Adjectives denote some exact number.Those which show how many things
      there are,are called Cardinals;as,
>) One,two,three,four,five,six,seven,etc.

*) Those which show in what order a thing stands are called Ordinals;as,
>) First,second,third,fourth,fifth,sixth,seventh,etc.

(2) Indefinite Numeral Adjectives denote number of some kind,but do not show what the exact
      number is;as,
    [ All,some,no,many,few,most,several,sundry.]
>) All men are mortal.
>) Some men die young.
>) No man went there.
>) Many men ar poor.
>) Few men are rich.
>) Most girls like dolls.
>) Several boys came.
>) Sundry men came to see me.

68) Demostrative Adjectives point out which persons or things are  meant.
       [The word Demonstrative means'pointing out'.]
>) This man is braver than Bali.
>) That boy is lazy.
>) These mangoes are sweet.
>) Those mangoes are sour.
>) Such men are dangerous.
>) Yonder house is mine.

NOTE:--(1) Demonstrative Adjectives answer the question:'Which?'

(2) This and that are used with Singular Nouns;these and those with Plural Nouns.

69. Distributive Adjectives denote that the persons or things named in the sentence are taken singly
      ,separately or in separate lots.

>) Each man had three sons.
>) Every day has its task.
>) Either pen will do.
>) He took neither side.

NOTE:--(1) The important fact about these words is that they are all in the Singular Number.

(2) Either means a choice between two things only.Neither means no choice between two things.In
      other words,either means this one or that one;neither means not this one ad not that one.

70. Interrogative Adjectives are used with Nouns to ask questions;as,
>) Which road leads to the station?
>) What kind os man is he?
>) Whose pen is this?

71. Emphasizing Adjectives are own and very;as,
>)  I saw it with my own eyes.
>)  This is the very man who killed the snake.

72. What is sometimes used as an Exclamatory Adjective;as,
>) What luck!
>) What a piece of work is man!

                ADJECTIVES USED AS NOUNS:--

73.  Adjectives are sometimes used as Nouns;as,
(1) Certain Adjectives ,preceded by the,can be  used as Nouns in the Plural;as,
      >)  The rich[=rich people] often hate the poor[=poor people].
      >) The righteous[=righteous people] shall flourish.
      >) The wicked [=wicked people] shall perish.
      >) The blind[=blind people] and the lame[=lame people] deserve our pity.

(2) Some Adjectives ,preceded by the ,denote some abstract quality;as,
      >) He admires the good[=goodness]
      >) He is a lover of the beautiful[=beauty in general].
      >) The future[=futurty] is uncertain.

(3) Some Adjectives actully become Nouns and can be used both in the Singular and in the Plural;as,
      Junior,Juniors;.....senior,seniors;.....mortal,mortals;.....inferior,inferiors;
      superior,superiors;....elder,elders;....minor,minors;.....Indian,Indians....Italian,Italians.

(4) In certain phrases and idoms the Adjectives are used as Nouns;as,
>) He has left the city for good.
>) I will stand by you through thick and thin.
>) Slow and steady wins the race.
>) Set down your terms in black and white.
>) I intend to do this right or wrong.
>) He is going from bad or worse.

Exercise 14. Pick out the Adjectives in the following sentence,and say to which class each of them
                       belongs:--

>) The world is a happy place.
>) Lead is a heavy metal.
>) Our school has a large playground.
>) Several women attended the meeting.
>) These grapes are sour.
>) Lazy students fail.
>) Every dog has his day.
>) The cow is a useful animal.
>) The rose is a beautiful flower.
>) He is a man of few words.
>) I called her several times.
>) He did not get many marks.
>) Mind your own business.
>) Man is a wonderful animal.
>) Quinine is bitter,but honey is sweet.
>) Much cry,little wool.
>) It was a glorious victory.
>) Good wine needs no bush.
>) A small lea may sink a great ship.
>) All work no play makes a Jack a dull boy.
>) Empty vessels make much noise.
>) It is an ill wind that blows nobody any good.
>) A live ass is better than a dead lion.
>) A wise enemy is better that a foolish friend.
>) Neither party is quite right.
>) On either side of the roads tall trees grew.
>) Every citizen must do his duty.
>) Half a loaf is better than no bread.
>) The way was long, the wind was cold.
>) Such people are dangerous.

Exercise 15.Supply suitable Adjectives:--

>) Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru was a ----leader.
>) The horse is a ----animal.
>) What a -----animal the elephant is!
>) India expects---man to do his duty.
>) Which is the---day of the week?
>) Rani is a ----singer...
>) Varanasi is a ---city.
>) Ah! what a -----mistake I made!
>) Which is the--way to the station?
>) We should always drink--water.
>) Swimming is a -----exercise.
>) There is---hope of victory.
>) Shakespeare wrote--plays.
>) Does your watch keep----time?
>) He is man of---words.
>) He has much money but very----sense.
>) This is a very---matter.
>) The---bird cathes the worm.
>) He died a ----death.
>) The rose has a ---scent.


                        CHAPTER-10
    COMPARISON OF ADJETIVES:--

74. Read the following sentences:---

1). Ashok is a strong boy.
2). Ashok is stronger than Raman.
3). Arsalan is the strongest boy in the class.

In sentence 1, the Adjective strong merely tells us that Ashok possesses strength in him.
In sentence 2, the Adjective stronger tells us that Ashok's strength .compared with Raman's, is
                         greater.
In sentence 3.the Adjective strongest tells us that of all the boys Ashok's strength is the greatest.


*) The Adjective strong is said to be in the Positive Degree.The Positive Degree is the simple form
    of the Adjective.It is used when no comparison is intended.
*) The adjective stronger is said to be in th Comparative Degree.The Comparative Degree denotes
       a higher degree of the quality than the Positive.It is used when two things are compared.
*) The Adjective strongest is said to be in the Superlative Degree.The Superlative Degree denotes
     the highest quality.It is used when more than two things are compared.The Definite Article the
     should always be used before an Adjective in the Superlative Degree.

NOTE:--There is another way in which things can be compared.Instead of saying 'Ashok is stronger
                 than Raman', we can say," Raman is less strong than Ashok".

      WAYS OF FORMING COMPARATIVE AND SUPERLATIVE:--

75. The  following are the rules for the formation or Comparative and Superlative Degrees:--

(1) Most Adjectives of one syllable,and some Adjectives of two syllables,form the Comparative by
      adding er and the Superlative by adding est to the Positive.

POSITIVE            COMPARATIVE          SUPERLATIVE

*) Brief                     *) briefer                        *) briefest
*) Clever                  *) cleverer                      *) cleverest
*) Great                   *) greater                       *) greatest
*) Loud                    *) louder                         *) loudest
*) Short                   *) shorter                        *) shortest
*) Small                   *) smaller                        *) smallest
*) Thick                   *) thicker                        *) thickest

(2) If the Positive ends in e,only r and st added.

*) Brave                  *) braver                         *) bravest
*) Large                  *) larger                           *) largest
*) Noble                  *) nobler                           *) noblest
*) True                    *) truer                             *) truest
*) Wise                    *) wiser                            *) wisest

(3) If the Positive ends in one consonant is preceded by a short vowel ,the final consonant is doubled,
 ,when er and est are added.

POSITIVE        COMPARATIVE         SUPERLATIVE

>) Fat                         >) fatter                           >) fattest
>) Fit                         >) fitter                            >) fittest
>) Hot                        >) hotter                          >) hottest
>) Red                        >) redder                         >) reddest
>) Sad                        >) sadder                         >) saddest
>) Thin                      >) thinner                         >) thinnest
>) Wet                       >) wetter                         >) wettest

(4) If the Positive ends in y and the y is preceded by a consonant,the y is changed into i,when er
        and est  are  added.

POSITIVE            COMPARATIVE       SUPERLATIVE

*) Happy                *) happier                     *) happiest
*) Heavy                *) heavier                     *) heaviest
*) Lazy                   *) lazier                        *) laziest
*) Merry                *) merrier                     *) merriest
*) Wealthy            *) wealthier                  *) wealthiest

(5) If the y is preceded by a vowel,the y is not changed into i.

*) Gay            gayer           gayest
*) Grey           greyer         greyest

76. Most Adjectives of two syllables and all Adjectives of more than two syllables form their
      Comparative by  adding more and their Superlative by adding most.

POSITIVE           COMPARATIVE       SUPERLATIVE

*) Beautiful          *) more beautiful        *) most beautiful
*) Courageous     *) more courageous   *) most courageous
*) Intelligent         *) more intelligent      *) most intelligent
*) Magnificent     *) more magnificent   *) most magnificent
*) Splendid           *) more splendid          *) most splendid

*) Mary is more beautiful than Pinky.
*) Rosy is the most beautiful of all the girls.
*) Raman is more intelligent than Ashok.
*) Karan is the most intelligent boy in the class.

77. Some Adjectives form their Comparatives and Superlatives in an irregulart way.

*)Bad,ill,evil                  *) worse              *) worst
*) Fore                           *) former            *) foremost,first
*) Good,well                  *) better              *) best
*) Hind                           *) hinder             *)  hindmost
*) Late                           *) later,latter      *) latest,last
*) Little                          *) less,lesser        *) least
*) Much(quantity)        *) more                *) most
*) Many(number)         *) more                *) most
*) Nigh                           *) nigher              *) nighest,next
*) Old                             *) older,elder       *) oldest,eldest

78.THERE ARE FIVE WORDS WHICH ARE Adverbs in the Positive ,but Adjectives in the Comparative and Superlative.

*) Far       *) farther          *) farthest
*) Fore     *) further          *) furthest
*) In          *) inner             *) innermost,inmost
*) Out       *) outer,utter   *) uttermost,utmost
*) Up         *) upper            *) uppermost,upmost

                      CORERCT USAGE:--

79. The following Comparatives(borrowed from Latin) that end in -or are followed by to instead of
       than.

*) Inferior.-----He is inferior to Bali in intelligence.
*) Superior.----English goods are superior to Japanese goods.
*) Junior.------He is junior to all his friends.
*) Senior.------All his friends are senior to him.
*) Prior.-------This event took place prior to the Second World War.
*) Anterior.---This event is anterior to[earlier than] that.
*) Posterior.--This event is posterior to[later than] that.

80. The following Comparatives that end in -or have no Positive or Superlative Degree.They have
       lost their Comparative force,and are now used as Positive Adjectives.
*) Interior,....Exterior,....Major,....Minor,....Ulterior.

>) The interior wall of the house is made of wood.
>) The exterior wall of the house is made of stone.
>) It is a fact of minor importance.
>) I had no ulterior motive in offering her help.

81. The following English Comparatives have lost their Comparative force,and are now used as
       Positive Adjectives.They ar not followd by than.
*) Former,...Latter,...Inner,...Outer,...Utter,...Elder.

>) He was followed by a dog and a cat;the former had the black tail and the latter had the white
     tail.
>) His is the inner room;mine is the outer.
>) He is an utter fool.
>) Of the two brothers Jack is the elder.

82. Positive Degree---When two persons or things are said to be equal in respect of some quality,we
       use the Positive Degree with as..as,or with some equivalent phrase;as,

*) This boy is as industrious as that.
*) This boy is no less industrious than that.
*) That boy is not more industrious than this.

83. Comparative Degree.---The Comparative Adjectives are followed by than when opposition is
                                                 implied, and they re followed by of when selection is meant;as,
*) Ashok is wiser than Raman.        *) Ashok is wiser of the two.

84. When two persons or things are compared with each other,we must use the word other to
       exclude the former;as,
*) Asoka was wiser than any other king.
*) Iron is more useful than any other metal.

We must not say----
    *) Asoka was wiser than any king.
    *) Iron is more useful than any metal.
because it means the same thing as saying..'Asoka was wiser than Asoka',
                                                                          ..'Iron is more useful than iron',
since,'Asoka is himslef a king' and 'iron is itself a metal'.

85. Superlative Degree,---When one person or thing is said to surpass all other persons or things of
                                              the same kind,we use the Superlative Degree with the...of;as,
*) This boy is the most intelligent of all.

NOTE:--The Superlative Degree can also be expressed by the Comparative,in the following way:--

*) This boy is more intelligent than all other boys.
*) If this mode of expression is used,care must be taken not to leave out the word other;
    for there is no sense in saying," This boy is more intelligent than all boys."

86. Double Comparatives and Superlatives must not be used;as,

*) Incorrect.--He is more wiser than Anil.
*) Correct.---He is wiser than Anil.

*) Incorrect.--He is the most strongest man in the village.
*) Corerct.----He is the strongest man in the village.

NOTE:--Lesser,however,is used even by the best authors;as,
                'Choose the lesser of the two evils.'

     SOME MISCELLANEOUS MISTAKES:--

87. Study  carefully the following examples:---

                WRONG(w) :-                                                      RIGHT(R):--

W) I do not like these kind of books.             R) I do not like this kind of books or
                                                                                [books of this kind].

W) I do not like these sort of people.             R) I do not like this sort of people or
                                                                                [ people of this sort]

W) Iron is more useful than any metal.         R) Iron is more useful than any other metal.


W) Rajiv is cleverer than any student.          R) Rajiv is cleverer than any other student.


W) Solomon was the wisest of all other        R) Solomon was the wisest of all men or
     men.                                                                  [Solomon was wiser than all other men].


W) I have read the two first chapters of       R) I have read the first two chapters of this book.
     this book.


W) The three first chapters of this novel       R) The first three chapters of this novel are
     are interesting.                                                  interesting.


W) Sanjaya gets a less salary.                         R) Sanjaya gets a smaller salary.


W) Ranjit is my older brother.                        R) Ranjit is my elder brother.


W) He is elder than Raman.                            R) He is older than Raman.


W) No less than forty soldiers                          R) No fewer than forty soldiers were killed.
    were killed.

W) He does not sell fewer than ten                 R) He does not sell less than ten kilos of sugar.
     kilos of sugar.


W) Healh is more preferable than                   R) Health is preferable to wealth.
     wealth.

W) The population of Tokyo is                         R) The population of Tokyo is greater than that of
     greater than any town of India.                       any town in India.


W) Both boys have not come.                           R) Neither boy has come.

W) This is the completest book.                         R) This is a complete book on English Grammer. 
     on English Grammer.

W) My both eyes are bad.                                   R) Both my eyes are bad.

W) Her all books were stolen.                            R) All her books were stolen.


Exercise 16. Pick out the Adjectives and name the Degree of Comparison of each:--

>) Suresh is the laziest boy in the class.
>) There is much to be said on both sides.
>) Small people love to talk of great men.
>) Hunger is the best sauce.
>) Solomon was the wisest king that ever lived.
>) Make less noise.
>) No news is good news.
>) That old man had seen happier days.
>) He wastes less time and takes more trouble.
>) Love is the greatest thing in the world.
>) A live ass is better than dead lion.
>) Lead is heavier than any other metal.
>) He thinks he is wiser than his father.
>) I congratulated him on his brilliant success.
>) Forgiveness is nobler than revenge.
>) The Himalayas are the highest mountains in the world.
>) Those poor beggars are weak and hungry.
>) The longest lane has a turning.
>)  This is the elder of my two daughters.
>) It was the happiest moment of my life.

Exercise 17. Supply the proper form(Comparative or Superlative) of the Adjective:--

>) Little.----This is the----price I can take.
>) Dear.----Honour is-----to him than life.
>) Pretty.--Her oll is------than yours.
>) Rich.----He is the------man  in the town..
>) Hot.-----June is the----month of the year.
>) Clever.-Jack is the----boy in the class.
>) Bad.----My cold is----today than it was yesterday.
>) Idle.----Bali is the-----boy in the class.
>) Tall.----She is the-----of the two.
>) Big.----London is the--city in the world.
>) Good.-Open rebuke is-than secret love.
>) Proud.-It was the-------moment of my life.
>) Intelligent.-Who is the --boy in the class.
>) Good.----The public is the----judge.
>) Useful.---Iron is------than copper.
>) Old.------My uncle is---than  my aunt.
>) Mighty.-The pen is---- than sword.
>) Ferocious.---The tiger is the ---- of all animals.
>) Much.--------Some people have-----money than brains.
>) Good.--------Prevention is-----------than cure.
>) Bad.----------Time makes the---------enemies friends.
>) Heavy.-------Lead is-------than any other metal.
>) Little.--------Of the two evils choose the-------.
>) High.--------The-----buildings are found in America.
>) Easy.-------It is to----preach than to practise.

Exercise 18. Fill in the blanks in the following sentences:--

>) Lead is heavier------any other metal.
>) I am senior---------him by tow years.
>) He is inferior------Ashok in intelligence.
>) A wise enemy is better-----a foolish friend.
>) He is the bravest-----all men in the village.
>) This cloth is superior------that.
>) He is junior---- me in service.
>) This  happened prior--- the Second World War.
>) He is the wiser------ the two.
>) This pearl is superior-----that.

Exercise 19. Correct the following sentences.:--

>) Let each boy look after their books.
>) Give me either of the four.
>) Those kind of men are not to be trusted.
>) He likes gambling,and all those sort of things.
>) Neither of the three boys have returned.
>) She had seen more happier days.
>) My brother is elder than yours.
>) She is the most wisest women I have ever come across.
>) His horse ran the faster of all.
>) This book is the best of the two.
>) Character is more preferable than gold.
>) Our captian is a better bowler.
>) Rama's intelligence is superior than Mohan's.
>) He is inferior than you in intelligence.
>) He is the eldest boy in the class.
>) He is more better than you think.
>) Satish is my oldest son.
>) The two first chapters of this novel are other dull. 
>) Gold is more precious than any metal.
>) Solomon was the wisest of all other men.
>) The climate of Poona is better than Bombay.
>) Shakespeare is greater than any dramatist.
>) Kamala is the eldest of the two sisters.
>) He is stronger than any boy in the class.
>) This is the wisest course of the two.

Exercise 20. Express the meaning of the following sentences by means of the Comparative:--

      { Model: Karan is the strongest of all boys.(Superlative)          }
      {             Karan is stronger than all other boys.(Comparative) }

>) Lead  is the heaviest of all metals.
>) America is the richest of all countries.
>) Kalidas is the greatest of all dramatists.
>) The tiger is the most ferocious of all animals.
>) London is the largest of all cities.
>) Sita is the wisest of all girls.
>) Sakuntala is the best drama in Sanskrit.
>) Jawaharlal Nehru was the most popular of all leaders.
>) Akbar was the wisest of all the Moghul emperors.
>) Napoleon was the bravest of all generals. 


                CHAPTER-9

THE CORRECT USE OF SOME ADJECTIVES:--

88. Later,latter;... latest,last--->>Later and latest refer to time.     
                                                   latter and last refer to order or position.

>) This is a latter edition of the book than that.
>) This is the latest news.
>) What is the latest score?
>) What is the latest score?
>) Smith and Jones went together.The former was a painter,the latter and artist.
>) This is the last boy in the class.
>) This is  your last chance to win the prize.

89. Elder,older;...eldest,oldest.--->>Elder and eldest are used of persons only;they denote the
                      the position of one member of a family with refernce to another or others of the
                      same family.'Elder' is never followed by'than'.
                      "Older and oldest are used of both persons and things".

>) He is my elder brother.
>) Raman is Ashok's eldest brother.
>) His eldest son is a a doctor.
>) He is older than his sister.
>) He is the oldest man in the village.
>) This is the oldest tree in the grove.
>) This is the oldest temple in the village.

90. Farther,further.---Farther denotes a greater distance between two points.
                                  Further means something additional.

>) Bombay is farther from Delhi than Calcutta is.
>) Let us walk a little farther.
>) I will do this without further delay.
>) He may continue until  further orders.

91. Nearet,next.---Nearest denotes nearness in space or distance.
                            Next denotes order or position.

>) We took the thief to the nearest police-station.
>) This street is the nearest to my house.
>) Mohan lives in the next house.
>) She was sitting next to me.

92. Some ,any.---To express quantity some is used in affirmative sentences.
                           Any in negtive sentences.

>) There is some ink in the bottle.
>) I gave him some butter.
>) There is not any ink in the bottle.
>) I did not give him any butter.

NOTE:- Any and Some can both be used in interrogative sentences;as,

>) Will you give me some sugar?
>) Will you have some tea?
>) Have you any money?
>) Did you give him any mangoes?

93. Each,every;--either,neither.--> Each means one of two things or one of any number exceeding
                                                      two;every is never used in speaking of one of two,but is always
                                                      used in speaking of some number exceeding two;as,
>) Every man wishes to be happy.
>) India expects every man to do his duty.
>) The two soldiers had each a gun.
>) Five boys stood in each row.
     
*) Either has two meanings:(1) one of two,or.....(2) each of two--that is, both.
*) Neither is  the negative of either and means neither the one nor the other.

     >) You can go by  either road[by one road or the other].
     >) On either side[both sides] of the road the trees grew.
     >) He took neither side  [neither this side nor that].

94. Much,many.-->Much means 'a large quantity of'( it is use before uncountable nouns).
                              Many means ' a large number of('  used before plural countable nouns').

>) There is not much tea in the pot.
>) He has not many friends.
         It wil be notices that the examples above are preceded by not..This  is because in purely affirmative sentences much and many are generally replaced by such expressions as;
         
*) Much is replaces by:--
     A great deal of : a good deal of : a large quantity of : plenty of : a lot of .
*) Many is replaced by:--
    A great many : a good many : a large number of : plenty of : a lot of.

>) He  has a lot of(or plenty of) money.[Instead of: He has much money.]
>) We have a lot of( or plenty of) time.[ Instead of: We have much time.]
>) He has a lot of(or a large number of) friends.[ Instead of: He has many friends]

Much and Many may be correctly  used in the following cases:--- 

(a) In negative sentences;as, 
     >) He hasn't much money.
     >) She hasn't many frinds in the town.

(b) In general questions(questions to which  the  answers is"Yes " or " No").
     >)  Has he much money?
      >) Has she many friends in the town?

NOTE:--Many ''a" used with a Noun and Verb in the Singular,but has in reality a Plural
             meaning
             Ex:- Many a young man was killed in the battle.

95. Little, a little, the little.---Little means hardly any or  not much.It has a negative meaning.

>) There is little milk in the bottle.
>) There is little[practicallyno] hope of his recovery

 *) A little denotes some atleast.It has a positive meaning.
      >) There is a little hope of his success
      >) He  has a little money  left in the bank.
      >) A little knowledge is a dangerous thing.

*) The little denotes the small quantity.It has both a positive and negative meaning.
     >) He spent the little money he had.
It means:--
   >) The money he had was not much.( Negative)
   >) He spent all the money he had.( Postive)

NOTE:--Little is used before uncountable nouns.Little ,expect whn preceded by very,is seldom 
              used in the affirmative.Instead of little we use not much.Instead of:'I have little time',
             we usually say:'I haven't much time.'
*) But we say----'I have very little time.'

96. Few ,a few,the few.---Few denotes not many.It has a negative meaning.

>) Few people live to be 100 and fewer still live to be 110.
>) He is a man of few words.
>) Few men can keep a secret.
>) Few people are free from faults.

*) A few denotes some atleast---a small number,however few.It has a positive meaning.

>) He has a few friends in the United States.
>) A few men live a pious life.

*) The few denotes not many.It has both a positive and negative meaning.

>) He gave me the few clothes he had.
>) He lost the few friends he had.

It means:---

>) The friends he had were not many.(Negative)
>) He lost all the friends he had.(Positive)

NOTE:--Few is used before countable nouns.Few ,expect when preceded by very,is seldom in the
             affirmative.Instead  we use not many.Instead of:'She ate few apples', we usually say:
             'She did not eat many apples.' But we say:'Very few people know about this.'

97. Less,fewer.--Less is used with reference to quantity;
                         Fewer with reference to number.

>) This box weighs no less than forty pounds.
>) I have less money than you.
>) No fewer than forty soldiers were wounded.
>) No fewer than two thousand people were there.

Exercise 21. Fill in the blanks with Some or Any:--

>) I dont't want------tea,thank you.
>) -------Pen will do.
>) Has he procured------bread?
>) Did you see----girls there?
>) I saw----boys playing in the field.
>) I didn't see----apples in the market.
>) There is-----tea in the kitchen,but there isn't----milk.
>) We had----- tea but there wasn't---sugar to put in it.
>) "Will you please lend me--------money?" " I am sorry I haven't----- money".

Exercise 22. Fillin the blanks with Much or Many:--

>) I didn't see-----birds on the tree.
>) She didn't spend-------money on her daughter's marriage.
>) Not-----men were  present there.
>) There is not----milk in the jug.
>) There were not----women in the bus.
>) Were there---people present?
>) Has he-----friends in the town?
>) That isn't of-------use.
>) -------people think so.
>) Did you have------difficulty in finding the house?

Exercise 23. Fill in the blanks with Farther or Further:---

>) I have nothing-----to say.
>) Delhi is------ from Bombay than Surat.
>) Until ----- orders,you act as Headmaster of the school.
>) I shall see him without----delay.
>) We cant't go any----without a rest.
>) A ------reason exists.    

Exercise 24. Fill in the balnks with Nearest or Next:---

>) The thief eas taken to the------police-station.
>) Mohan's house is-------to mine.
>) My house is-----to  the river.
>) She sat-----to me.
>) The -------- railway station is six kilometers from here.
>) My brother lives in the---house.
>) This street is the-----to my house.

Exercise  25. Fill in the blanks with Little, A Little ,or  The little:---

>) ----drops os water make a mighty ocean.
>)  He has------ sense.
>) He takes----interest in me.
>) He has----money with him.
>) ----strength he had in him proved useless.
>) ------money he had was all stolen.
>) ------tach would have saved the situation.
>) He has----appreciation of good music.

Exercise 26. Fill in the blanks with Few, A few,or The few:---

>) -------villages in India have hospitals.
>) -------books she had were all stolen.
>) He had read------ books.
>) ------friends she has are all sincere.
>) -----men can resist the temptation of god.
>) -------day's rest will do you immense good.
>) -------suggections she gave were all carried out.
>) Can you tell me in------words how the accident occurred?
>) ------words spoken in earnest will convince her.
>) ------ornaments she has are not worth much.

Exercise 27. Fill in the blanks with Latter,later,Latest or Last:----

>) Mohan and Sohan  went together. The former was a painter,the------- a  mechanic.
>) This is the ------news.
>) The ------chapter of this book is very dull.
>) The-------man in the row was my uncle.
>) He was the -----boy to get the prize.
>) All his friends accepted the----proposal.
>) He came-----than I expected.
>) At a -----date, he was placed in charge of the district.
>) What is the------information?
>) The ------chapters of this book are carelessly written.

Exercise 28. Fill in the  blanks with Elder,Older,Eldest,or Oldest:----

>) HE is the-------than his cousin.
>) She is the------woman in our village.
>) This is the------temple in Kashmir.
>) He is my-----brother.
>) He is the------of the two brothers.
>) He is------ than I am.
>) Balu  is the-----boy in the class.
>) Ashok is his-------son.
>) Of the two sisters Kamala is the -------.
>) His-------son is an engineer.

Exercise 29. Fill in the blanks with Each,Every,Either ,or Neither:----

>) ---------of the two boys was fined.
>) ---------seat in the hall was occupied.
>) ---------man wants to rise in the world.
>) --------accusation is true.
>) ------ soldier was at his post.
>) --------side won.
>) ---------day has its duties.
>) She  visited us------three dayz.
>) Five boys stood in------row.
>) You can take-----side.
>)--------boy must take his turn.
>)--------boy was given a prize.
>) ---------pen will do.
>) --------knife is of any use.
>) On ------occasion I just missed the target.

Exercise 30. Fill in the  blanks with Fewer or Less:--

>) There are------mistakes in your composition than in Ashok's.
>) There are-----eggs on this plate than on that.
>) There is------milk in the jug   than in the glass.
>) There is------butter on this bread than on that.
>) No---------than forty workers were absent through illness.
>) There is------money in the purse than in the bag.
>)-------size means-------weight.