Ch 7 · Lesson 9English · Chapter 7 · Lesson 9 · Grammar primer
Much, many and a lot of
Many with things you can count, much with things you cannot. Both live in questions and with not; in a yes sentence, say a lot of.
The short version
Many counts, much does not, a lot of does both
.
Why?Hide
Many goes with countable nouns and much goes with uncountable ones, so sort the noun type first and the quantifier follows. Both live mainly in negatives and questions; in plain positive sentences they sound stiff, which is why native speakers reach for a lot of instead. It is three words, never alot.
Much, many and a lot of
Many with nouns you can count. Much with nouns you cannot count.
| Noun | With not | In a question |
|---|---|---|
. | ? | |
. | ? |
In a yes sentence, much usually sounds odd (outside formal writing) and many sounds a little formal. In speech, say a lot of, which goes with both:
| Word | Sounds odd | Say this |
|---|---|---|
| I have much money. | . | |
| She has many friends. (formal) | . |
Lots of means the same and is more informal:
. Plenty of means more than you need:
, .A lot of is three words. Alot is a spelling mistake.
Going further: Count it or not? and the rest of the guide, when you want them. This lesson does not need them.
Practice
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