MUCH – MANY – LOT – FEW - LITTLE
Much and Many are used to express that there is a large quantity of something or a
lot amount of something.
Much is usted with uncountable nouns and Many is used with plural countable
nouns.
Let´s look at some examples:
MUCH MANY
• There aren´t many chairs in the
• I don´t have much time. room.
• He Doesn´t need much money. • I don´t have many friends.
• Does it use much electricity? • Do you think many people will go?
Time, Money and Electricity are Chairs, Friends and People are plural
uncountable nouns, so we use countable nouns, so we use
«MUCH» before them. «MANY» before them.
You may have noticed that the examples are negative sentences of
questions, that is because «MUCH» and «MANY»
are used in negative sentences and questions.
So, what we use for positive or affirmative sentences?
With affirmative sentences we normally use
«A LOT OF»
instead of «MUCH / MANY»
We use «A LOT OF» with both
uncountable nouns and plural
countable nouns.
Examples:
I need a lot of coffe. You can say: I need lots of coffe.
There is no difference in meaning, but in general «a lot of» is
informal and «lots of» is even more informal.
The same is possible with countable nouns. You can say:
You can say: She has lots of
She has a lot of friends. friends. (This one is more
informal)
Let´s see a couple more examples:
• There is a lot of traffic today. «Traffic» is an uncountable noun.
• There are a lot of cars on the street. «Cars» is a plural countable
noun.
With both of those we can use «A LOT OF».
WE CAN NOT SAY: This is not correct, because we can not use
I need much coffe. «much» when the sentence is affirmative or
positive.
We say: I need a lot of coffee.
I need lots of coffee.
In theory it is possible to use «many» in positive
sentences but it is not common.
She has many friends. In general we say:
She has a lot of friends.
She has lots of friends.
In general we use «A LOT OF» with positive statements. And «MUCH» and «MANY» with
negative statements and questions.
I have invited a lot of friends so i need to buy a lot of food.
I haven´t invited many friends, so i don´t need to buy much food.
We can drop the nouns after «MUCH» and «MANY» if the meaning is clear.
I haven´t eaten much today.
=much food.
We looked for mushrooms yesterday but we didn´t find many.
=many mushrooms.
We can also drop the noun if it is mention by another person.
A: There has been a lot of snow this winter.
B: In my city we haven´t had much. (much means much snow)
¡¡ Exercises practice !!
FEW - LITTLE
We use «A FEW» and «A LITTLE» to suggest a small quantity or not much of something.
A FEW is used with countable nouns A LITTLE is used with uncountable
(some, not many) nouns. (some, not much)
FEW and LITTLE usually have negative meanings, especially when used
FACT with very.
• He is sad because he has few friends. (countable noun)
• There are few honest politicians. (countable noun)
• There is little hope of finding your wallet. (uncountable noun)
• They have very little knowledge about politics. (uncountable noun)
FEW + Plural Countable Nouns = not many; not enough; nearly no…
A FEW + Plural Countable Nouns = some; a small amount
LITTLE + Uncountable Nouns = not much; not enough; nearly no…
A LITTLE + Uncountable Nouns. = some; a small amount
FEW = NOT MANY LITTLE = NOT MUCH
(Few normally conveys a negative idea) (Little normally conveys a negative idea)
• He has few good friends. • There was little time to finish it.
• Few people went to the concert. • He has little patience with others.
• There are few honest politicians. • They have little money to spend.
A FEW = SOME (a small amount) A LITTLE = SOME (a small amount)
(A FEW normally conveys a positive idea) (A LITTLE normally conveys a positive idea)
• He has a few friends that will help. • I have a little milk you can use.
• I have a few days off next month. • She has a litle time to relax now.
• She has won a few awards. • I have earned a little extra money.
SOME AND ANY
We use SOME and ANY with plural nouns and uncountable nouns.
• SOME is generally used in positive sentences.
• ANY is generally used in negative sentences.
* I have some information for you about flights to Paris.
(Positive - Uncountable)
* I don't have any information for you about flights to Paris.
(Negative - Uncountable)
* We met some friends for drinks after work yesterday.
(Positive - Plural Countable)
* I didn't see any friends there on Thursday.
(Negative - Plural Countable)
* I think he will have some time to speak to you today.
(Positive - Uncountable)
* I don't think he will have any time to speak to you today.
(Negative - Uncountable)
You can also use SOME and ANY in a sentence without a noun if the meaning of the sentence is clear .
• I didn't eat any salad but Peter ate some. (salad)
• Sean took lots of photos of the mountains but Emma didn't take any. (photos)
QUESTIONS WITH SOME AND ANY
• Do you know any famous people?
Generally, we use ANY in questions. • Do you have any children?
But, SOME is used in the following circumstances:
1. When we are offering something. You can also
- Would you like some coffee? use SOME and ANY in a sentence
- Do you want some sugar for your coffee? without a noun if the meaning of
2. When we are asking for something. the sentence is clear.
- Could I have some salt, please? * I didn't eat any salad but Peter
- Can I have some fries with that? ate some. (salad)
3. When we are suggesting something. * Luis took lots of photos of the
- Why don't we watch some movies on TV tonight? mountains but Liz didn't take any.
- Why don't you give her some advice? (photos)