A11K

Many

UK /["/ˈmeni/"]/US /["/ˈmeni/"]/

Definition

used with plural nouns and verbs, especially in negative sentences or in more formal English, to mean ‘a large number of’. Also used in questions to ask about the size of a number, and with ‘as’, ‘so’ and ‘too’.

In simple words: a lot of something

Examples

  • There are many trees in the park.
  • Many people attended the concert last night.
  • I have many books on my shelf.
  • There are many options to choose from.
  • Many students are excited about the summer break.

Usage notes

Use 'many' for plural countable nouns. It's more common in questions and negatives. Avoid using it with uncountable nouns.

Grammar pattern

many + countable noun

Memory hint

Think of 'many' as a friendly crowd — imagine lots of people gathered together.

Collocations

  • many people
  • many options
  • many times
  • many ideas
  • many choices

Synonyms

  • numerous
  • countless
  • several
  • a lot of
  • a great deal of

Antonyms

  • few
  • less

Common mistakes

  • Using 'many' with uncountable nouns (e.g. 'many water')
  • Confusing 'many' with 'much' (e.g. using 'many' in questions about uncountable nouns)
  • Incorrectly placing 'many' at the beginning of sentences