Level Five
Lesson 58
using many and much
The words “many” and “much” are adjectives used when talking about amounts and numbers. Use “many” with count nouns; use “much” with noncount nouns.
In order to be successful in making the right choice–many or much–you have to know the difference between count and noncount nouns. If you don’t know the difference, complete Lesson 34 and then come back here.
How much sleep does she get every night?
How many hours of sleep does she get every night?
What’s the difference?
One of the main differences between “much” and “many” is that “much” is used with noncount nouns and “many” is used with count nouns when making questions for amounts. The word “sleep” is a noncount noun, so the choice is “much.” The word “hours” is a count noun, so you choose “many.” How many hours…. How much sleep….How many apples…How much water…How many mice…How much information…?
count nouns
hour / hours
apple / apples
mouse / mice
noncount nouns
sleep
water
information
58a. many
Use “many” for questions and statements that provide information about numbers and quantities. Nouns that come after “many” should be plural count nouns.
- How many apples did you buy at the store?
- There were so many people at the store today.
- We have many, many problems that we need to solve.
- She was asked many questions during the interview.
- Too many people are killed in traffic accidents every year.
- There aren’t many places where you can find a burrito that is big, cheap, and delicious.
- The laptop doesn’t have very many ports.
- How many hours of sleep do you get every day?
- He knows how to play many different styles of music on the guitar.
58b. other uses for "many"
In addition to serving as an adjecitve for count nouns, this word may also function as a noun.
- Many of the students are in the classroom. (The subject of this sentence is “many.” “Of the students” is a prepositional phrase.)
- Many were not here yesterday. (subject = many; verb = were)
- Many of the books that I use for teaching English are found in the library. (subject = many; verb = are found)
- I don’t know if this mushroom is edible or not. Many are poisonous, so you should be careful. (many = mushrooms)
- Many of these vegetables contain essential vitamins.
58c. much
Use “much” with noncount nouns when making questions or talking about amounts.
- How much energy is saved by turning down the thermostat?
- How much water does a tomato plant need?
- I have so much work to do today!
- This is taking too much time.
- We don’t have much confidence in this decision.
- There’s so much love in this room right now. I can’t feel it!
- I love you so much!
- He’s in too much pain to wait any longer to see a dentist.
- How much raid did we get yesterday?
58d. Use "much" as an intensifier.
An intensifier is an adverb that increases the meaning of an adjective. When applied this way, “much” is similar to “greatly” or “very.”
- This is much needed right now.
- That is much appreciated.
- I’m much obliged to you. (I am thankful for your kindness.)
You will also hear “very” and “much” used together:
- His punishment is very much deserved. (It’s greatly deserved.)
- The entire experience was very much to our liking.
- Help for these people is very much needed.
- An increase in the company’s productivity is very much anticipated.
58c. much money
A good reason to study “much” is because it is so often used when talking about money.
- How much does it cost?
- How much is it?
- She pays too much for her apartment.
- It costs too much.
- That’s not much.
- That’s too much.