مدت زمان تقریبی مطالعه: ۸ دقیقه
A quick grammar lesson here. Let's take a look at some common grammar mistakes using the word most / almost / almost all. Remember that the IELTS examiners mark you on the range and accuracy of your grammar in the speaking and writing section.
- 'Almost' is an adverb and means 'nearly' and can be used in the same way as 'most' in some cases.
- Almost is often used with pronouns such as anyone /everyone/no-one/anybody/nobody.
Wrong: ' Almost the people in my office are from England.'
Correct: 'Almost all the people in my office are from England.'
Correct: 'Almost everyone in my office is from England.'
In the correct example above it is also possible to say 'Most of the people in my office are from
England.' There is no difference in meaning.
In the correct example below, putting 'of ' before 'British people' is not possible.
Wrong: 'Almost British people like football.'
Correct: 'Most British people like football.'
Correct: 'Almost all British people like football.'
Key points:
As an adjective, the word ‘most’ means ‘the majority of…’ or ‘the largest proportion of…’
Most can also be used with 'of ' before a pronoun such as:
- Most of my friends speak Spanish.
- Most of the money you gave me I already spent.
- Some of my friends have been abroad, but most of them have not left the country.
Most is also used in a superlative form such as:
- 'He is the most interesting person I have ever met.'
- 'That is the most expensive diamond in the world.'
- 'Working in a factory was the most boring job I ever had.'
General Rules:
A. Almost + verb/ everyone/ everything/ anyone/ anybody / nobody (it can also be used as an Adverb +verb to mean 'nearly')
Examples:
1. Almost anyone can ride a bike.
2. I almost broke the cup. (adverb +verb)
3. Almost nobody spoke to the new employee.
4. Almost everything he said made no sense.
5. My car almost ran out of petrol, luckily I found a petrol station. (adverb+ phrasal verb)
6. He almost died in the crash, luckily he is out of hospital now. (adverb +verb)
B. Almost all +noun / most +noun/ most+ of / Almost all of +noun
Examples:
1. Almost all environmental problems are caused by human activity.
2. Most pollution in cities is caused by exhaust fumes from privately owned vehicles.
3. Almost all of the people I know work overtime these days.
4. Most new cars these days are very fuel-efficient.
5. Almost all of the economic issues today can be solved by tough government policies.
6. Most of my friends like spicy food.
Which of these sentences is correct?
1. Almost I forgot to lock the door.
2. Almost all crimes are the result of poverty and bad education.
3. Almost Japanese people eat rice every day.
4. That car almost ran into me!
5. Most everyone I met at the party was younger than me.
6. Almost nobody knew about the new internet copyright laws that came into effect.
7. Almost all of the money he made was from smart business ideas.
8. Most of the time I am very busy.
9. Most my co-workers went to the same school as me.
Check your answers below.
1. Almost I almost forgot to lock the door.
2. Almost all crimes are the result of poverty and bad education. (correct)
3. Almost Most Japanese people eat rice every day.
4. That car almost ran into me! (correct)
5. Most Almost everyone I met at the party was younger than me.
6. Almost nobody knew about the new internet copyright laws that came into effect. (correct)
7. Almost all of the money he made came from smart business ideas. (correct)
8. Most of the time I am very busy. (correct)
9. Most of my co-workers went to the same school as me.
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