This is an All Ears English podcast episode 2033.
Do you want a lot of s'mores or just a few?
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When it comes to reaching 99% fluency, a few and a lot are staples for your language repertoire.
Listen in today to learn the difference and find out how Aubrey cooks her s'mores.
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What's shaking, Aubrey?
How's everything going?
Oh, great.
It's a pretty busy summer over here.
What about you, Lindsay?
You have a lot going on this summer.
Oh, I have a lot going on this summer.
Yes, it is a busy summer.
I feel like just all of 2022 and 2023 has been a lot going on.
I'm not sure when it stops.
I don't know.
It just never stops.
We don't have a little slowdown.
I know with kids coming getting out of school you think oh, things will slow down, and then it doesn't.
It picks up and there's more going on and it just never, never ending.
Yeah.
So what are we getting into today, Aubrey?
So we have this great question from Zach Bitar about a few versus a lot.
We're going to read that and share that, you know, we have talked about few and a few.
So we'll share those episodes and we're going to dive into a lot today.
Okay.
I'll go ahead and read Zach's question.
Okay.
Yeah.
All right.
Hi, guys.
I've been listening to All Ears English for about three years.
Oh, that is so good.
And I really have learned a lot from you guys.
I definitely don't miss anything from the three shows.
And he listens to all three shows.
I love that he listens to all three shows, as you should, right?
That is fantastic.
From the three shows, I love them.
I love the way you teach us as non-native speakers.
Your philosophy has become mine, too.
Connection, not perfection.
I love that.
Yes.
So here's a question.
I would like to ask about the difference between few and a few, lot and a lot, and how we can use them.
I want to thank you by name, Lindsay, Michelle, Aubrey, and Jessica.
And this is from, again, Zach Bitar.
What a lovely listener.
I know.
I love, first of all, that he listens to all three shows because even if he's not preparing for IELTS, there's so much great vocab idioms and stuff to learn over at IELTS Energy.
And the Business English podcast too.
All three of our shows are amazing.
You should be listening to all three.
Yes, I think we can officially give Zach Bitar the super listener status, right?
Because he's listening to all three shows.
We can also call super listeners those who have listened to all episodes of any one show or those who listen regularly to all three shows.
It goes out and it goes down.
I love it.
So good.
Yes, I know.
It's kind of fun to have that super listener title, right?
That's the best.
We love our fans.
We love you guys.
Yes, we do.
All right.
So have we already... Again, you said we've already talked about a few...
Right.
Yes.
So we want to have you guys go and check out these two episodes if you've missed them.
The first one is 1785, where we talked about the difference between a couple, a few and several.
So don't miss that one.
You can find it on our blog or wherever you find your podcasts.
And then also All Ears English 1380.
We were talking about job interviews and we talked about few versus a few called A Few Tips to Add a Little Polish to Your Job Interviews.
And as a quick review, because this is really answering Zach's question, there is a difference here.
And you can create confusion or mistakes if you use the wrong one.
So don't miss that episode 1380.
But really briefly, Lindsay, what's the difference between a few and few?
Okay.
So breaking it down here, Aubrey, here we go.
And again, this is from 1380, but we'll just quickly review it.
So a few typically means... we said in that episode between three and five items.
Yeah.
Less than that would say a couple, right?
Yeah.
Three to five.
Yeah.
Although personally, I really kind of, to be honest, I kind of interchange them a couple and a few.
Maybe I'm doing that wrong.
Well, no, you're right.
There is a little bit of flexibility, right?
So for details, because we go into that in 1380, this is a very general description, right?
Usually a few is like Three to five.
But the big difference is few without that article of.
The meaning changes a lot, right?
How does it change, Aubrey?
What do we need to know?
It means not very many and it means less than you'd expect.
So we talk about how, if you say I have few qualities, that will be good for you know, in a job interview, that's a huge mistake, because you're saying I don't have very many qualities.
I have less than you'd expect.
That would be a huge mistake.
Yes.
Oh, my gosh.
Good point.
OK, good.
So, guys, go back.
Listen to that again, especially if you have a job interview coming up, and make sure you get that right.
Super important.
Good.
Yeah.
So let's dive into a lot and a lot here today.
Yes.
There is a common mistake that we're going to share here.
I'm just going to share it now.
We see students make this mistake when writing quite a bit, and that is to write the word a lot as one word A-L-O-T.
You'll see this.
It does not exist.
It never exists as one word like this.
Always separated two words, a, as your article, and then lot.
You're going to see this.
Native English speakers make this mistake too.
It only matters when you're writing because they sound the same when you're speaking.
Right.
I think I made this mistake until my first year in high school or something.
It's pretty common.
Yeah, it's pretty common.
But we need to know it today, now, and moving forward, guys, and you will not make this mistake.
Exactly.
Right.
So let's go into law.
It's used in two words, in two ways, rather.
First, as a pronoun.
It means a large number or amount, a great deal.
So how would we say that?
Give us an example, Lindsay.
All right.
A lot of teams play on Saturdays.
And, you know, in the colloquial way, you might hear a lot of teams play on Saturdays, right?
L-O-T-T-A is what it sounds like.
A lot of teams.
We just say it very quickly.
A lot of teams.
You got it.
And you have to think about...
The other options, the synonyms here.
If you say like a great deal of teams, or a large number, or a large amount of teams, these sound strange to us.
They're just a little too formal for just casual conversation.
When you're talking about sports teams, you're going to say a lot of teams.
Yeah, it's actually a bunch of teams.
This is very much a connection word because it's so simple.
It's so casual.
It's so human.
As you said, when you said those other examples a great deal of teams it sounds weird, way too formal.
It puts me on another level.
It's almost like I'm writing a novel or a dictionary from the 1900s or something.
Right.
It no longer sounds like casual conversation.
Yeah.
It's out of place there.
Yes.
Okay.
What else?
So you might say, if you're talking about a film, you might say there are a lot of well-known actors in this movie, right?
Some of those star studded movies, meaning they're like a bunch of A-list actors that are really fun to watch.
You just say, oh, there are a lot of well-known actors in this film.
It's kind of interesting.
Every once in a while, there's a movie that comes out that just has like 15 huge actors.
Like, how did they get how did they have such a payroll?
Yeah. afford all those?
How do they get them all in that?
You know, normally it's like one two three, four big actors, but sometimes you get like 15 in a movie.
It's crazy.
I know, which is really exciting, but I agree.
I'm like, how do they afford to pay all of them?
One of my favorites like that is called 13 Conversations About One Thing.
Have you seen that film?
It has like a bunch of famous actors and it's really cool.
It's one of those, like New York I Love You and Paris Je T'aime, where it's all of these different people and it's showing how their lives are touching in different ways.
Oh, yeah.
And it kind of all comes together at the end where there's sort of some surprising things where oh, I didn't realize this was this person's sister or whatever.
It's kind of fun.
Kind of similar to love actually, in that sense where they bring it together.
At the end you realize these people are connected, or through the movie.
Exactly.
Yeah.
Okay.
So we've talked about how to use a lot as a pronoun.
And guys, remember, it's separated.
Okay.
It's not a lot.
It's a lot.
Okay.
We put a space in between.
Two separate words.
Not when we're speaking, but when we read it.
Exactly.
So yes, it's also used as an adverb.
This is the second way.
Same meaning, a great deal or much, but the grammar is just a little bit different.
So you might say, she played tennis a lot this year.
It means she played it a great deal.
She played it many hours.
Right.
We can put it at the end.
So I liked that movie a lot and period, just ending the movie there.
Very common.
And just like the pronoun usage, it would be strange to say, I liked that movie a great deal.
It means the same thing, but we just don't speak that formally.
We will often say a lot.
No, it really puts you on another, it really prevents connection.
When we try to be that formal, you know.
Yeah, exactly.
Especially with this, the kinds of examples we're giving you.
Where you're talking about sports and movies, we stay so casual.
So this is the option you want to go with a lot.
100%.
And we've already talked about that common mistake.
A lot of people, a lot of native speakers, even if you see it, it's not right.
It's not one word, right?
Separate those as two separate words.
Exactly.
And you don't even notice yourself using it.
You're saying a lot of people, a lot of native speakers.
Like we don't even really To say like many is not that much more formal, but we are so much more likely to say a lot of instead.
Yeah.
I think many does feel...
A little bit more formal.
Just enough more formal that we always opt for a lot of instead.
There are many well-known actors in this movie.
What's the feeling that you get?
Just a little more formal.
There's still that disconnection.
Like you're putting up just a little bit of a wall.
Yeah.
A wall.
Yeah, exactly.
Exactly.
Interesting.
Okay, Aubrey, where do we go next?
Yeah.
So I want to point out really quickly this is just interesting that the word a lot also exists as a verb.
It's spelled a little bit differently.
A-L-L-O-T.
Yes.
It means to give a portion to someone as a share or task.
Like you might hear equal time was allotted to each speaker at a conference.
If we're talking about how much time like the different speakers are going to take.
And that is where it is one word, but there's an extra L, So this is a little bit tricky, that this sounds exactly the same, but it's a different verb.
Oh, that's a good point.
I'm glad you brought that up.
Yeah.
Allotted was allotted.
Hmm.
Interesting.
Yeah.
And it is a little more complicated. formal because you can say given, right?
Equal time was given to each speaker.
But if someone wants to sound a little more professional, a little more formal, like in that type of situation, introducing a keynote speaker or as part of a presentation, you may hear this verb.
That time was allotted.
And yeah, just to sound a little more professional.
Yeah, and a key, I could see our listeners getting tripped up here in listening, right?
It might sound like someone is saying a lot when you hear allotted to.
And so now that you're aware guys, of this other word something is allotted to something else you can start to understand when you know obviously allotted is going to be a lot less common.
Right.
Right.
And it's interesting to think about.
We rarely use it in the active voice.
It's usually passive like this.
Time was allotted to someone.
You know, we're not going to say like, I am going to allot a certain amount of time to the speakers.
We just don't use it that way.
We would say assign or give.
Yeah.
So now you know what you're looking for when you're listening guys, and that'll improve your listening dramatically.
So good.
And another thing, by the way Aubrey, before we jump into our role play today that would improve our listener's listening skills is using the app right.
To listen to this podcast.
So this podcast is also available in an iOS or Android app.
And it's just a way to go deeper, because when you use the app, you actually see the transcripts right there.
If you're a subscriber on your phone, it's amazing.
You don't have to check a PDF or check your email or check a piece of paper.
How cool is that?
It's so easy.
Yes.
And to get vocabulary, this verb a lot is a good example.
That's going to be highlighted as a keyword today.
You get another example, you get the definition so that you come away with a really clear understanding and add it to your vocabulary list right there within the app so that you can be even more familiar, use it, have it really easily accessible.
Exactly.
I mean, we know which words are going to bring you up to that near native fluency guys, that 99 fluent level.
And we select those for you, right?
So those words that you see in the transcript are tappable.
Those keywords that we know are going to make you more fluent.
You can save them and put them in that list.
So good.
Absolutely.
Let's dive into a role play here.
This is a fun one.
You and I are making s'mores at a camp out.
Yes.
If our listeners were in our Connected Communicator course, they know all about s'mores, because we did a whole lesson on s'mores.
It was so fun.
Let's do it.
They're delicious.
Yeah.
All right.
I'll start us out.
I thought I brought a few bags of marshmallows, but I can't find them.
Well, here's one.
It's open, but it has a lot left.
Great.
I have a lot of chocolate bars too.
And I bought graham crackers.
There's not a lot, but it should be enough.
Okay, Aubrey, important question.
What is your opinion on what kind of chocolate should be used in s'mores?
I always use Reese's peanut butter cups.
What?
Okay.
I have very mixed feelings.
I don't know how to handle what you just said, because you're supposed to use Hershey's, but I love Reese's peanut butter cups.
So I don't know what to do right now.
Have you ever tried one with a Reese's peanut butter cup?
No, I will have to try it.
I'll have to think outside of the box.
You'll never go back.
Let's see.
It's so good.
It's delicious.
That is so... I might just have to change my whole thinking.
I may have just changed your world.
Yeah.
I hope you guys are watching this on YouTube so you can see the genuine reaction Lindsay had when I said that.
You're like, so good.
It's so good.
Because in the course Connected Communicator, we do talk about how you have to use Hershey's chocolate.
It's just that is s'mores.
But now I'm reevaluating everything.
Right.
You can use anything.
All right, let's go through this.
So I first used a few to just kind of show the difference, because The question was kind of asking to compare.
We've covered a few in previous episodes, but because I have maybe three bags of marshmallows, I wouldn't say a lot of bags of marshmallows.
I thought I brought a few bags of marshmallows, but I can't find them.
Right.
A lot would be more applicable if you back your car in, you open your trunk and you've got bags of marshmallows.
You brought a lot of marshmallows.
Yeah.
I don't know why, but you brought a lot of them.
Yeah.
So that's just clearly the difference there.
Let's see.
And then I said, here's one.
It's open, but it has a lot left.
So meaning what does it have?
It has a lot.
You've opened it, but there's still a lot, right?
There's not just three marshmallows in this bag or we wouldn't say there's a lot left.
So clearly it's been opened, but most of the marshmallows are still there.
So this is how I would say that.
Oh, there's still a lot left.
Yes.
I love it.
And then what did you say, Aubrey?
You said great.
Yes.
I said, I've got chocolate too.
And you said, I have graham crackers.
That's what you put on the outside.
It's like the bread of a s'more.
It's a cookie really.
And then you say, there's not a lot, but it should be enough.
So meaning there's not tons here.
There's not many.
There's not a lot, but enough.
Yeah.
Meaning there's not a lot of graham crackers, right?
Yeah.
Oh man, this is getting me exciting for camping again.
When are you going camping this summer?
You have any camping?
Yes.
We are camping mid-July.
We always go on a camp out with my family up in Idaho and we are roughing it, right?
It's like a tent camp. no restrooms, like you're digging a hole in the woods somewhere.
So it's definitely not glamping.
That's what they call dispersed camping, right?
And I do that rarely, but sometimes it's pretty cool, but it's pretty intense.
Right.
It is.
Right.
You're going to be dirty and smelly and you just have to be OK with it.
That's so fun.
Yeah.
I think we're going camping at the end of July is our first planned camping trip.
It's going to be car camping, not dispersed or not like not no bathroom camping.
I like having a little less hardcore.
It's nice to have a bathroom.
Yeah, it is nice.
But anyway, s'mores are obligatory if you're going camping.
It's just very much an American cultural tradition.
Right.
Yes.
Well, they're delicious.
If you guys haven't tried one, it is my time.
Yeah, I wonder if our listeners would think they're too sweet.
Probably, right?
Because they are very sweet.
So what's the takeaway for today?
This is a really great topic.
Great episode.
Yeah, for sure.
Thanks for sending this question.
We use a few and a lot extremely often in English.
Like we told you, for all of these examples, this would be what we would choose, right.
So definitely review those past episodes.
So you're clear on all of these quantity words, because you do want to use them to connect in English.
Don't put up that wall.
Use this more informal option that we would always go for.
Yeah.
And you know we try to tell you guys when we've just done kind of a staple episode where you've just learned something that is going to be a staple of your language.
And this would be one of them.
This would be on that list.
A few and a lot.
You hear it everywhere.
You're going to start saying it all the time.
And so you really want to re-listen today.
Get the app.
You'll use the app for this episode and just go deep here.
Spend time on this topic.
It's really key.
Okay.
Absolutely.
Yes.
Glad we were able to cover this today, Lindsay.
This is a fun one.
This is a good one.
Go get a s'more.
I know.
With Reese's.
Interesting.
Okay.
Okay.
All right.
I'll talk to you soon, Aubrey.
Have a good one.
All right.
Bye.
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