English idiom: ton of

markku · #1 (permalink) Thu Dec 08, 2005 7:25 am *English idiom: ton of*

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

Your answer was: correct
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Hi

Why a ton, it is weight?

markku

Mister Micawber · #2 (permalink) Thu Dec 08, 2005 9:11 am *English idiom: ton of*

.
Yes, it is a lot of weight. A ton of is idiomatic for a lot of.
.
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Comenius · #3 (permalink) Mon Dec 12, 2005 20:12 pm *English idiom: ton of*

I'm not sure about elsewhere in the world, but this is an incredibly common expression in the United States. I probably hear it several times a day.

Also, at least here, the meaning is even stronger than "a lot of." While technically that definition is 100% accurate, in use the phrase has the feeling of describing an incredibly large amount, often used to stress or emphasize how many people were at an event, how much homework you have, etc.

-David

Asahi · #4 (permalink) Sat Feb 28, 2009 7:59 am *English idiom: ton of*

Could I also say "I have much homework to do before tomorrow"?

Mister Micawber · #5 (permalink) Sun Mar 01, 2009 0:35 am *English idiom: ton of*

.
We do not usually use 'much' in affirmative sentences like this.
.
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Misskhan · #6 (permalink) Wed Jun 03, 2009 12:50 pm *English idiom: ton of*

Torsten · #7 (permalink) Wed Jun 03, 2009 13:09 pm *English idiom: ton of*

Hi Misskhan,

The correct answer is 'ton' not 'tan'. You will see this if you take a close look at the answer: Correct answer: (a) a ton

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Govipattu · #8 (permalink) Sat Nov 28, 2009 15:23 pm *English idiom: ton of*

Is it grammatical error, if we use 'much' in affirmative sentence?

Mister Micawber · #9 (permalink) Sat Nov 28, 2009 15:24 pm *English idiom: ton of*

Detlef · #10 (permalink) Sat Nov 28, 2009 15:32 pm *English idiom: ton of*

What does he mean by that?
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Mister Micawber · #11 (permalink) Sat Nov 28, 2009 15:33 pm *English idiom: ton of*

What does who mean by what?
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Detlef · #12 (permalink) Sat Nov 28, 2009 15:46 pm *English idiom: ton of*

Well. which of the following sentences will not reveal that you're not a native speaker

- I have a lot of pain
- I have lots of pain
- I've got plenty of homework to do
- There's a whole lot of water coming under the door
- I have much pain.
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Mister Micawber · #13 (permalink) Sat Nov 28, 2009 15:56 pm *English idiom: ton of*

I have much pain
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Jijinow · #14 (permalink) Wed Mar 03, 2010 14:36 pm *English idiom: ton of*

Dear Torsten,
Hi, please let me know why we can't say I have a million homework instead of a ton?
Thanks a lot.

Mister Micawber · #15 (permalink) Wed Mar 03, 2010 14:42 pm *English idiom: ton of*

'Homework' is a mass noun, not a countable noun.
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