B2 FIRST · GRAMMAR · PART 2

Articles, quantifiers and pronouns

A, an, the, some, any, few, little, all, each, both, other, another, its and themselves.

Finn the puffin with glasses and a book, your grammar teacher

Finn says

Small words like 'the', 'few' or 'its' are easy to miss, but Part 2 tests them all the time. Read the words around the gap carefully: countable or uncountable? Singular or plural?

Articles

a / an

one of many, first mention, jobs

She's an engineer. I saw a great film.

the

something specific or unique; superlatives

the sun, the best day, the film I told you about

No article

general ideas with plural or uncountable nouns

Music helps me relax. Dogs are loyal.

Quantifiers

much / little / a little

uncountable nouns

There isn't much time. We have a little money left.

many / few / a few

plural nouns

Many people came. Few people know this. (= almost nobody)

some / any / no

positive / questions and negatives / zero

Have you got any questions? There's no milk.

all / both / each / every / either / neither

the whole group, two things, one by one

Both answers are right. Each student gets a book.

Pronouns and possessives

other / others / another

another + singular noun; others = other people or things

Some like tea; others prefer coffee. Have another biscuit.

its / it's

its = possessive; it's = it is

The company changed its name.

themselves / itself

the subject and object are the same

The children enjoyed themselves.

there / it / this

there + be = something exists; this = the idea just mentioned

There is a problem. This is why we left.

How it comes up in Part 2

In Part 2 you write one word in each gap. No word is given, so you need to know the grammar.

Very few people knew about the plan, so it stayed a secret.

Plural noun (people) + negative meaning: few = almost nobody.

Some students walk to school, while others come by bus.

Others = other students.

The town is famous for its beautiful old bridge.

Possessive: the town's bridge → its bridge.

Common mistakes

✗ I need an advice.✓ I need some advice.'Advice' is uncountable – no 'a'.
✗ There isn't many time left.✓ There isn't much time left.Time is uncountable → much.
✗ The dog hurt it's leg.✓ The dog hurt its leg.The possessive its has no apostrophe.

Finn's exam tip

Look at the noun after the gap: singular, plural or uncountable? Then look at the meaning: positive or negative, some or all? That usually leaves only one possible word.

Quick check

Write one word in each gap.

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