some oranges vs. a few oranges

English as a Second Language English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
1

please, may i have _______ oranges?

a)a few
b)some
c)little
d)less

please give me explanation also…

please tell me the difference between a few and some in this context.

Thanks in advance.

2

Hmmm, I make them all correct in some way…

Please may I have a few oranges. - I would like a small number of oranges.
Please may I have some oranges. - I would like a number of oranges.
Please may I have little oranges. - I would like oranges that are small in size.
Please may I have less oranges. - You have offered me too many oranges, I would like a smaller amount.
(note no comma after please)

I see no real difference between ‘a few’ and ‘some’. Possibly ‘a few’ emphasises that you do not want many. You might expect to receive more oranges if you ask for ‘some’. But I don’t think there are set rules. (an < a couple of < a few < some < several < lots of < loads of …etc.).
Also, perhaps interestingly, if you asked for ‘quite a few’ it would have a different meaning - more than several.

3

By the way, is the following sentence correct as well?

Please may I have fewer oranges.

Thanks!

4

absolutely! in fact it’s probably more correct.

5

In general, “fewer” is used with countable nouns, “less” with uncountable nouns, while “more” is used with either. Orange are countable, so “fewer” would be the better choice. But many would also use “less” with countable nouns in informal language, especially with nouns that are often seen in larger quantities.

6

i have another question
We have been friends for ages.I___________ her since we were children.
a) am knowing
b) are known
c) have known
d) is known
some people are saying opt. a) and some are saying opt c)…what is the answer

7

Option C is correct.
Option A does not make sense.

8

Delhi is ______________than pune
a) more bigger
b) so bigger
c) very bigger
d) much bigger
ans please…

9

Which do you think is correct, S4is4a?

10

its comparative degree so more bigger…i think so

11

please tell me the answer Ms.Beeesneees

12

more + bigger is never used. The only phrase that is grammatically correct is ‘much = bigger’. I suggest you revise comparatives. :slight_smile:

13

Hi S4is4a,

By saying ‘more bigger’ you are repeating the comparative form. ‘More’ is comparative and so is ‘bigger’. We use ‘more’ to show the comparative form of an adjective when the word is too long and can’t be made by adding ‘er’. For example we can say ‘easier’ as the comparative form of ‘easy’ but with the adjective ‘difficult’ we have to say ‘more difficult’.

Alan

14

Hi S4, you need to establish the habit of sticking to the very basics of the English language before you can discuss things like the comparative and ‘degrees’. Also, I strongly suggest you learn how to type properly.[YSaerTTEW443543]

TOEIC listening, talks: A new company executive introduces himself to the staff[YSaerTTEW443543]

15

Hi S4,

Do not get upset, Torsten means well. You might want to read this:

You can read even more here:
english-test.net/community/3 … r_question

One more thing: do not use a spell checker – that does not help us improve at all! (just my humble opinion :-))

16

Hi Cristina.ro. Why did you write “get upset”. Get without upset is necessary??

17

‘Get upset’ is a common expression, but I can’t see it in Cristina’s post.

18
19

Thanks - couldn’t see for looking!

Domi - Cristina could have used any of these:
Do not get upset.
Do not be upset.
Do not become upset.
Do not upset yourself.

Hiwever, she could not correctly have said ‘do not upset’