Gateway to Grammar: Much, many or a lot?

First of all, can we all agree that we should have Bunnephants walking around? As long as they are cuddly.

Much, many, and a lot can be quite difficult to understand. The most important things for much, many and a lot are, “can I count this thing?” and “Is this a positive statement, a negative statement, or a question?”

Countable and uncountable nouns

·         Bunnephants are countable. I can stay I see a herd of 12 Bunnephants.

·         Cups of tea are countable. I have 3 cups of tea every Saturday.

·         Tea is not countable, I cant say I have 6 teas.

·         Sugar is uncountable, 4 sugars makes no sense, but 4 sugar cubes, or 4 packs of sugar, makes sense!

·         Much is for uncountable nouns (tea, sugar, air, time)

·         Many is for countable nouns (Bunnephants, cups of tea, sugar cubes, days off work)

Positive, Negative and questions

·         When we make positive sentences in the UK (different in other countries) we usually only use “a lot” to describe large amounts.

·         When we make negative sentences or ask questions we use much (uncountable) and many (countable).

·         Positive examples: “I have a lot of easter eggs” (countable), “I have a lot of grass in my garden” (uncountable)

·         Question examples: “How much free time do you have this weekend?” (uncountable), “How many Bunnephants are in your garden?” (countable).

·         Negative examples: “I don’t have much time” (uncountable), “I don’t have many cookies” (cookies).

EXTRA TIP: You will see people use “alot” sometimes, this is not a word. It is two words! It should be written “a lot”.

To find out more about the private online English lessons I teach visit www.wrightenglish.com. To book a free trial lesson with me email lana@wrightenglish.com and tell me why you want English lessons.

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