Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[jasonlulu_2000]

1.The aim is to find out how much of these raw materials could be provided if a plant for recycling waste were built just outside the city.

Shouldn't we use "how many" instead of "how much" in this case, since these raw materials refer to countable nouns?

2. She became famous for her elegant designs in fitted dresses.

What does "fitted dresses" mean?

3. Some students thought cheating these days was a product of the way of thinking, not the tools at hand.

Can you paraphrase this sentence?

Thanks

[Suzanne]

Hello!
Great questions!
1. "How much" refers to a general amount. In the example you give, "raw materials" is a non-specific term, so we can't really give an exact answer. Another example: "How much gasoline will fit in the gas tank?" However, "How many" is a specific amount: "How many gallons/litres of gas are needed to fill the gas tank?"
2. A "fitted" dress is a dress that is made to fit the body snugly. It is usually tighter at the waist and hips. A fitted dress is meant to show off a woman's body. If you want to see an example, Michelle Obama wears fitted dresses.
3. Some students thought cheating these days was a product of the way of thinking, not the tools at hand."
This is a little harder, and will depend on how people interpret it. I would paraphrase it: "Some students thought that cheating had become normal. They didn't consider using extra tools (calculators, internet, etc) as anything unusual." I will be interested to see what others think on this one!

I hope this helps!

[rice07]

[Suzanne]

It's easier to just think of "much of" as another way of saying "a lot" or "a lot of." There isn't a specific percentage associated with it--it's just a general term to indicate a large quantity.

Examples:
The accident caused much of the traffic delay this morning.
Much of the concern about the economy is based on the unemployment rate.
It seems that much of the peanut butter made in that factory was contaminated.

Does that help?

[jasonlulu_2000]

Dear Suzanne,

All the examples you quote are related to uncountable nouns like "the traffic delay, concern, butter", but they do not agree with my examples, in which much of is followed by "plural nouns"---raw materials.

What i want to ask is whether we can use many of the raw materials instead. Thanks.

[Suzanne]

I would still use "how much" here. The sentence seems to be about a unknown quantity of raw materials. "Raw materials" is not countable; in this context, it's a collocation that functions like a noncount noun--we don't say "one raw material," we just say "raw material."
In order to use "how many," we need to know the units of measurement.
Example:
How many tons/kilograms of raw materials could be provided if a plant for recycling waste were built just outside the city?
How many kinds of raw materials would be produced at the plant?

Does this help? If not, keep asking! Some things can be tricky!

[rice07]

[Suzanne]

Thank YOU for continuing to ask questions!

English is not easy, and it can take several explanations to understand. Unless students ask for more information or examples, teachers don't always know the best way to explain.

Ask, ask ask!!

[rice07]

Hi, Jasonlulu 2000

I hope you don't mind my interruption.


Hi, Suzanne

It is TOO BOLD for a non-native speaker like me to a assume that ' raw materials ' is not countable. But with your prime elaboration- despite the fact that I was trying thinking about the question this way, I just couldn't give a good explanation, I now take that concept is a catalyst to facilitate my understanding of English. Many thanks!

BTW, let me digress for a moment. One more example:

Many a good man has been destroyed by drink.

I know many a good man means a large number of good men in this case.

Anyway, Chinese would not say it that way(many+a ...); hence there are some things really tricky.

Sincerely

rice07