Why ton? (Expression: I have a ton of homework)

[*Delta*]

English Grammar Tests, Elementary Level

ESL/EFL Test "much/many/a lot/lots", question 5

I have ......... of homework to do before tomorrow.

(a) a ton
(b) a tan
(c) a million
(d) a much

English Grammar Tests, Elementary Level

ESL/EFL Test "much/many/a lot/lots", answer 5

I have a ton of homework to do before tomorrow.

Correct answer: (a) a ton

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hello eveyone,
i didn't understand this sentence
can anyone explain it to me please

correct sentence:
I have a ton of homework to do before tomorrow.

Correct answer: (a) a ton

Your answer was: incorrect
your sentence:
I have a million of homework to do before tomorrow.

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why ton?????

[Diverhank]

It's an expression..."a ton of homework"...I guess it means the paper the homework is printed on weighs a ton...

[*Delta*]

thanks alot for answering
but i still don't understand
there's nothing wrong with useing million in this sentence , right????

[Diverhank]

I can understand perfectly what you mean if you use "million" in this case...however, that is not how native speakers would use it.

[Haihao]

And 'a million of' had better introduce a countable (noun), which 'homework' is not.

[Alan]

Hi Delta,

'A ton of work' is not a reference to number but of quantity. It is used here as an exaggeration similar to 'I have an enormous amount/quantity of work to do'.

Alan
_________________
English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Here comes 2004...

[Conchita]

Other ways of saying 'a lot of' are:

- heaps of
- loads of
- a mountain of
- a pile of
- piles of
- stacks of
- quite a bit of

[*Delta*]

thanks a lot everyone
it's really great to have all of you
here ready to help at anytime