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4.3.2.1: 4- Much, Many a Lot of

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    269512
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    Much, Many and A Lot of

    Indicate a quantity for count and noncount nouns

    empty refrigerator

    Much, Many, A lot of: Positive Statements

    MUCH

    Much is uncommonly used in a positive sentence except for scholarly contexts such as science journals or reference books. Reword the sentence using some or a lot of.

    POSITIVE SENTENCE

    ~ Much food is in the refrigerator. (Use some or a lot of)

    Some food is in the refrigerator.

    A lot of food is in the refrigerator.

    Much food can be preserved in a refrigerator. (Use in a scholarly context only.)

    MANY

    Many is uncommonly used in a positive sentence except for scholarly contexts such as science journals or reference books. Reword the sentence using a lot of or several.

    POSITIVE SENTENCE

    A lot of / Several snacks are in the refrigerator.

    ~Many snacks are in the refrigerator. (Better: Use a lot of, several)

    Several snacks are in the refrigerator.

    A lot of snacks are in the refrigerator.

    Many snacks have high amounts of sodium. (scholarly context)

    frozen products.jpg

    Much and Many: Questions & Negative Statements

    MUCH

    We use much with noncount nouns to indicate a large quantity. However, much is mostly used in negative sentences or questions.

    NEGATIVE SENTENCE / QUESTION

    Not much food is in the refrigerator.

    Is there much food in the refrigerator?

    MANY

    Use many with plural count nouns to indicate a large number. However, many is mostly used in negative sentences or questions.

    NEGATIVE SENTENCE / QUESTION

    Not many snacks are in the refrigerator.

    Are there many snacks in the refrigerator?

    Also see count / noncount nouns | some/ any

    Also see More / -er…than, Most/-est and Much / More
    Comparative forms: much–more–most / many–more–most

    Julie Sevastopoulos (contact) — ESL / ELL / TEFL — English Grammar Reference / Resource – Practices & Exercises – Palo Alto, California USA — 10 Nov 2022

    Creative Commons License Grammar Quizzes by Julie Sevastopoulos is licensed for use under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 International.


    4.3.2.1: 4- Much, Many a Lot of is shared under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by LibreTexts.

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