WITH OR WITHOUT A SHOPPING LIST?

WORDS TO REMEMBER


groceries = (n.) items of food
turnstile = (n.) a gate consisting of revolving arms fixed to a post
aisle = (n.) a passage between of rows (of shelves, seats, etc.)
nose out = (v.) discover, find
edgy =(adj.) nervous, irritated

AUDIO SCRIPT

Maria was not feeling well and she asked me to go grocery shopping. She started enumerating what to buy and she soon realized I would forget half of the things, so she made a shopping list. I thought to myself "It should be a piece of cake now that I have a list," but it turned into a living nightmare. First, I got stuck in the turnstile. . . yeah, I know it sounds silly but luckily a salesman rescued me and I could start the hunt for the things on Maria’s shopping list. I was walking along the packaged food aisles and I felt like Alice in Wonderland. Where on Earth was I going to find flax seed and rice milk? When I finally nosed out those exotic foods I could not put everything in the basket and I had to go back to the entrance to get a cart. After a long time I came to the cashier, who probably thought she was in a race because she was scanning the goods so quickly it was impossible for me to put everything in the two little carrier bags Maria had given me. I’m telling you, Dan, I came out of the supermarket more exhausted and edgy then after a long day at work.

GRAMMAR LOG

Quantifiers

Some, any, a lot of
Some, any and a lot of are used with countable and uncountable nouns. Some implies a limited quantity, and is used in affirmative sentences. Any also refers to limited quantity but it is used in negative sentences and questions. A lot of can be used in all types of sentences.

We know some students in this class.

Examples:

Tim doesn’t see any work around the house.
We won’t take a lot of photos.
Some is used in polite questions.
Would you like some biscuits?  

Much, a little
Much and a little are used with uncountable nouns in all types of sentences.
Examples:

We don’t need much time.
I speak a little Russian.

Many, a few
Many and a few are used with countable nouns in all types of sentences.
Examples:

Many reporters came to the reception.
May I ask you a few questions?

Much and many are used in negative and question forms.
When few and little are used without the article a, they have a rather negative connotation.
Example:

We have little time left. (and that makes me angry, worried, etc.)

   
Enough
This quantifier implies sufficient quantity and can be used in all types of sentences.
Example:

I’ve had enough of your screaming.