Partitives, Collectives, & Quantifiers
Dr. Ruthmita H. Rozul
The English language distinguishes between count nouns and noncount nouns. Both of these nouns can be modified by partitive constructions which denote a part of a whole (Celce-Murcia, Larsen-Freeman, 2008).
A partitive is a phrase consisting of a count noun followed by of that precedes another noun.
(det) noun of _____________
a bar of soap
a deck of cards
a litter of
Look at this list containing units of measure used to describe specific quantities of non count nouns.
Use them in sentences
two cups of a carton of a litter of young animals
one piece of a box of a sheet of
a bowl of a handfuf of a bagful of
a quart of a mix of a shelf of
a bar of a pattern of a stick of
Categories of common partitives:
1. precise measure phrases
a cupful of flour
a bag of cement
a shelf of books
a carton of milk
two trays of eggs
a serving of fruit salad
a slice of bread
50 grams of cinnamon powder
4. individual members of a category
a piece of luggage
a brand of textile
a mile long race
Collectives are nouns taken together and spoken of as one whole. In the phrase ‘a pride of lions’, pride is a collective noun.
Quantifiers are determiners indicative of quantity (e.g. all, both).
Task 1: Use the words on the list to complete the sentences. Use the plural form if necessary. Some sentences have more than one possible answer:
bar glass sheet bottle loaf spoonful
bowl piece tube cup quart ream gallon
TASK 2: Fill in the blanks with appropriate partitives...