All / most / some / none of

Words like all, most, some, any, many, much, a few, half, no / none go before a noun to say how much of something. The key question: are you talking about things in general, or about one particular group?

“A particular group” means the noun has the, my, your, these, those, this, that, Lan's… before it. Then you need of: most of the people, some of my friends. Without those words, drop of: most people, some friends.

• Most people in Vietnam ride motorbikes.

  in general → no of

• Most of the people at the party were students.

  a particular group → most of the

• Some of my classmates live in the city centre.

• I spent most of the weekend in bed.

💡Learners often say “most of people”. Tip: right after of there must be a word like the, my, these or them. If there isn't one, drop of: most people. And don't put the before most here: “the most of the students” is wrong — the most is the superlative.

With all and half only, you can leave out of before the / my / this…: all my friends = all of my friends, half the cake = half of the cake. But don't put the in front of them: not “the all students” or “the half of the cake”.

• All (of) my friends live nearby.

  with or without of

• We ate half (of) the cake before dinner.

• All students must wear a uniform.

  in general → no of

Before it, us, you, them you always need of — even with all and half: all of us, half of it, none of them.

• The teacher gave all of us a sticker.

• Do any of you speak Japanese?

  said to three or more people

• I liked the film, but I didn't understand all of it.

• My cousins came, but none of them stayed for dinner.

All has one more pattern: put all right after the pronoun, or after be / an auxiliary: We all went home. / They were all tired. / I invited them all.

When it's clear what you mean, most, some, half, none, a few… can stand alone without a noun (or with of them / of it). But all is not usually used alone as a subject or object — use everyone / everything (see the lesson “All / every / each / whole”).

• A few shops were open, but most were closed.

• I wanted some cake, but there was none left.

• Some people love durian, and some hate it.

The verb agrees with the noun after of: Most of the money is gone (money is uncountable → singular), Most of the students are here (plural → plural). With none of + plural, singular and plural are both correct (see the lesson “No / none / any, nothing / nobody”).

To say “zero”, use none of. To say “not 100%”, use not all (of) or not every-. A sentence like “All of my friends didn't come” is unclear (did nobody come, or did just some not come?), so it's best to avoid it.

• None of my friends came.

  nobody came

• Not all (of) my friends came. Some were busy.

  some came

• Not everyone likes spicy food.

• ✗Most of people want a good job.

  ✓Most people want a good job.

  In general → no of.

• ✗Some my classmates live in the city.

  ✓Some of my classmates live in the city.

  Before my/the you need of (only all and half can drop it).

• ✗The teacher called all us to the front.

  ✓The teacher called all of us to the front.

  Before a pronoun, of is a must.

• ✗The most of the students passed.

  ✓Most of the students passed.

  No the before most when it means “the majority”.

• ✗All of students must wear a uniform.

  ✓All students / All (of) the students must wear a uniform.

  If you use of, the/my… must follow.

• ✗Most of the money are gone.

  ✓Most of the money is gone.

  money is uncountable → singular verb.