Page 345 - Practical English Usage 3ed - Michael Swan, Oxford

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plenty of
Plenty o f is usually rather informal. It is used mostly before singular uncountables and plurals. It suggests 'enough and more'.
Don't rush. There's plenty oftime. Plenty ofshops take cheques.
a great deal of. a large amount of and a large number of
These are used in similar ways to a lot ofand lots of, but are more formal. A great deal ofand a large amount ofare generally used with uncountable nouns.
M r Lucas has spent a great deal o f time in the Far East.
I've thrown out a large amount ofold clothing.
A large number ofis used before plurals, and a following verb is plural.
A large number o f problems still have to be solved. (More natural than A large amount ofproblems ... or A great deal ofproblems ...)
the majority o f
The majority of(= 'most' or 'most of') is mostly used with plural nouns and verbs.
The majority ofcriminals are non-violent. measurement nouns
These expressions are not generally used before words for units of measure, like pounds, years or miles. Other words have to be used.
It cost several pounds. (NOT It etJst ti I6t 8j&'f!J6l:tltth.)
They lived many miles from the town. (NOT They lifletl plenty ofmiles from
t."re t6W'tt.)
use without following nouns
These expressions can be used without nouns if the meaning is clear. In this case, ofis not used.
How much did it cost? - A lot. (= A lot of money.) We should be all right for cheese - I've bought plenty.
He does not often speak, but when he does he says a great deal.
use as adverbs
A lot and a great deal can be used as adverbs. Onholidaywewalkandswimalot. (BUTNOT ••• wewalkplentyOR ••• sltlim
lots:)
The government seems to change its mind a great deal.
loudly and aloud
Loudly is used (like loud) to talk about the strength of a noise. The opposite is quietly.
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They were talking so loudly 1 couldn't hear myself think.
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