Much / Many — Quantifiers

Point 1: We use many for countable nouns (things we can count). We use much for uncountable nouns (things we cannot count).

• Countable:
  • How many bananas do we have?
• Uncountable:
  • How much milk do we have?

Point 2: Many is used with plural nouns. It is often used in questions and negative statements. In positive answers, we usually say some or a few instead of "many."

• How many bananas do we have?
• ✅ We have many. (Possible, but not common)
• ✅ We have some. (More common)
• ✅ We have a few.
• ❌ We don’t have many.
• ❌ We don’t have any.

Point 3: Much is used with uncountable nouns. It is often used in questions and negative statements. In positive answers, we usually say a lot or some instead of "much."

• How much milk do we have?
• ❌ We have much. (Incorrect. Not natural in English.)
• ✅ We have a lot. (Correct and natural)
• ✅ We have some.
• ✅ We have a little.
• ❌ We don’t have much.
• ✅ We don’t have a lot.
• ❌ We don’t have any.

Point 4: In positive sentences:

• ✅ We usually say a lot or some.
• ❌ We rarely say "much" in positive sentences. (Example: We have much milk.)
• ❌ We rarely say "many" in positive sentences. (Example: We have many bananas.)

Point 5: In negative sentences and questions:

• Do you have many bananas?
• ❌ We don’t have many bananas.
• Do you have much milk?
• ❌ We don’t have much milk.