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Few/A few/ little/ a little problem

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Few/A few/ little/ a little problem

by limestone » Thu Sep 16, 2010 12:37 am
Downzoning, zoning that typically results in the reduction of housing density, allows for more open space in areas where little water or services exist.

B. little water or services exists
C. few services and little water exists
D. there is little water or services available
E. there are few services and little available water

[spoiler]OA: E[/spoiler] Please explain how you approach this problem.
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by Maciek » Thu Sep 16, 2010 1:50 am
Hi!

There are few issues here: quantity adjectives countable and uncountable nouns, and subject-verb agreement

1) quantity adjectives with countable and uncountable nouns
We use 'little' with uncountable nouns and 'water' is uncountable noun.
We use 'few' with countable plural nouns and 'services' is countable plural noun
There is 3/2 split and answer choices A, B and D are incorrect.

2) subject-verb agreement
 Plural Subject should have plural verb form. Therefore, we should eliminate answer choice C.
Answer E is correct

Read more about quantity adjectives with countable and uncountable nouns
https://englishmistakeswelcome.com/adjectives.htm

Read "Top 10 Tips for the Sentence Correction Section" by Chris Black
https://www.beatthegmat.com/mba/2010/09/ ... on-section

Hope it helps!
Best,
Maciek
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by limestone » Thu Sep 16, 2010 1:56 am
Thanks Maciek, It really helps!
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by Maciek » Thu Sep 16, 2010 2:22 am
You're welcome, limestone!
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by ankurmit » Thu Sep 16, 2010 3:43 am
C and E are contenders.

C has subject-verb issue.

E is winner
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Ankur mittal
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by niksworth » Thu Sep 16, 2010 4:58 am
I would like to know the source of this question.

While the answer is undoubtedly E (all other choices have obvious errors), what is the use of the word available in E?
there are few services and little available water.

Available is acting as an adjective and is modifying water. What is little available water? Can we have little unavailable water? Hell no. The word little already conveys that water is scant.
scio me nihil scire
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