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Anonymous Posted 16 years ago
Grammar

What are these phrases called?

I was wondering what you call the phrases below:
  • a lot of
  • a number of
  • a bunch of
  • an amount of
  • a few of
Here is an example:
"There is a lot of gas in the universe."
"Gas" is obviously the subject, so what is "a lot of?" Is this some sort of inverted prepositional phrase?

~Smorkle
  

Top answer

These are phrasal quantifiers.

— Mister Micawber

  • These are phrasal quantifiers.
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6 Answers
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These are phrasal quantifiers.
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Mister MicawberThese are phrasal quantifiers.

I would add "of quantity" in my definition.
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Well now, since this is a grammar web page, answer me this:
If I use "a bunch of" quantifier to refer to people, as in "There are a bunch of people in the state" should I use the plural form "are" or singular "is?" ("There is a bunch of people in the state?")
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If you're using it as a quantifier and are a native speaker, then you are liable to use either the singular or the plural. However, logic says that since 'a bunch of' = 'many', only 'are' makes sense.
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Mister MicawberIf you're using it as a quantifier and are a native speaker, then you are liable to use either the singular or the plural. However, logic says that since 'a bunch of' = 'many', only 'are' makes sense.

I don't (ever) argue with Mr M's logic. However, in this case, at least in informal speech, it would probably come out "therezabuncho
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Thank you both for your input. You both agreed with me. Appreciate your time.
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