Hello! Today’s lesson focuses on several common errors with phrases like one of, most of, some of, and both of + nouns.
Error #3
Don’t say:
• One of my friend is moving to Seattle.
• I bought one of the book on sale.
• Each of the student painted a picture.
Say:
• One of my friends is moving to Seattle.
• I bought one of the books on sale.
• Each of the students painted a picture.
These expressions - one of and each of - are expressing the idea of one of many, or individuals among many. I have many friends, and one of them is moving.
There were many books on sale, and I bought one of them.
There are many students in the class, and each individual student painted a picture.
Just remember, whenever you have “One of” or “each of,” it’s one individual inside a group, and the noun should be plural.
The verb stays singular. We don’t say “One of my friends are moving.” The subject is still “One.” One of my friends is moving.
Error #4
Don’t say:
● Most of people are happy.
● I did some of homework .
● We’ve finished both of projects .
Say:
● Most people are happy.
Most of these people are happy.
● I did some homework.
I did some of my homework / some of that homework / some of the homework for English class.
● We’ve finished both projects.
We’ve finished both of our projects / both of those projects / both of the projects.
You can say most/some/both followed directly by the noun (most people, some homework, both projects)… or you can say most of / some of / both of followed by the, this/that/these/those, or a possessive like my/your/our/his/her/their, and then the noun (most of the/these people, some of my/that/the homework, etc.)
Error #5
Don’t say:
● I like both of soccer and tennis.
Say:
● I like both soccer and tennis.
If you want to mention the two things specifically, then don’t use “of.”
These expressions - all of, some of, most of, one of, and so on - are very frequently used in English, so let’s develop the habit of using them correctly! Go ahead and try the quiz to practice and review.
Quiz .
Mark each sentence as correct or incorrect, and fix any mistakes.
1. Both of my brothers live in Canada.
2. He finished most of his work for the day.
3. We're going to visit both of Germany and France.
