many vs a lot of

Both 'many' and 'a lot of' are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'Many' is used with countable nouns to indicate a large number, while 'a lot of' is used with both countable and uncountable nouns to indicate a large quantity. The choice between them depends on the type of noun being used.

Last updated: March 28, 2024 • 1137 views

The word 'many' is correct and commonly used in English with countable nouns to indicate a large number.

"many"

Use 'many' with countable nouns to indicate a large number. It is often used in questions, negative sentences, and with 'how'.

Examples:

How many apples are there?
I don't have many friends.
There are many books on the shelf.

Show examples from the web [+]

So the film is operating on many many levels in that scene.
This is a big field and there are many many chances.
Being a network president requires many things.
My Dominus inflicted many wounds upon his slaves.
Surrounding many things in these times.
Power and speed solves many things.
To many occultists 11 is symbolic of Lucifer.
Coin which goes in many pockets.
The future remains uncertain for many.
Nuns may hear confessions and bury the many dead.
There are many cultures, specifically Native American tribes from Montana...
Not with this many coffin flies around.
Spies can't afford many grudges.
My family have made many bells for farmers.
Victim was hit many times with dangerous tools.
I know many things, Russian.
I noticed you taking messages from many detainees.
This team took many unprecedented risks.
Not many Colonists know Marauder traditions.
This team took many unprecedented risks.

Alternatives:

a large number of
numerous
plenty of
a great deal of
a good number of

The phrase 'a lot of' is correct and commonly used in English with both countable and uncountable nouns to indicate a large quantity.

"a lot of"

Use 'a lot of' with both countable and uncountable nouns to indicate a large quantity. It is more informal than 'many'.

Examples:

I have a lot of work to do.
There are a lot of people at the party.
She drinks a lot of water.

Show examples from the web [+]

Now, you had a lot of power, and you got to beat people up - you got a lot of prestige, a lot of respect.
There's a lot of people here.
This serial killer business sells a lot of newspapers.
She had a lot of problems.
That's a lot of just-so-happening.
He had a lot of money.
I've made a lot of mistakes.
Tonight brought up a lot of bad memories.
By a lot of different Restaurants.
Chris has a lot of responsibility.
I get a lot of calls lately from matchmakers.
I move a lot of single females.
The ambulance company got a lot of bad press.
This beautiful love story incited a lot of jealousy.
I imagined a lot of ex-girlfriends crying.
Buildings like these get a lot of transients.
Sorry, a lot of data floating around.
Pulling together a lot of string.
We busted a lot of balloons.
They had a lot of moves.

Alternatives:

lots of
plenty of
a great deal of
a large number of
a good number of

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many vs a lot of

"many"

"a lot of"

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