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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 • 955 views

many

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

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.
  • 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

a lot of

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

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.
  • 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

Related Comparisons

quite a lot of vs quite a number of plenty of vs a plenty of a lot of vs a lot's of a little bit of vs a bit of a little bit of vs a little of a fair bit of vs quite a bit of

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