Master the correct use of a lot of, lots of, many, much, (a) few, (a) little, a bit of, and other quantifiers to express large and small quantities accurately in English grammar and sentence structure.
What is the Use of A Lot Of, Lots Of, Many, and Much?
These expressions express a large quantity in English syntax. We use a lot of and lots of with plural and uncountable nouns. But many goes only before plural nouns and much before uncountable nouns.
- Plural: A lot of people/Lots of people work in London.
- Plural: There aren't many trains on a Sunday.
- Uncountable: You'll have a lot of fun/lots of fun at our Holiday Centre.
- Uncountable: There isn't much traffic on a Sunday.
As a general rule, we use a lot of/lots of in positive statements and many or much in negatives and questions.
- Positive: There are a lot of tourists here.
- Negative: There aren't many tourists here.
- Question: Are there many tourists here?
- Question: How many tourists come here?
We also use many or much (but not a lot of) after very, so, too, as and how.
- Very many crimes go unreported.
- There were so many people we couldn't get in.
- There's too much concrete here and not enough grass.
- How much support is there for the idea?
What are the Rules for Formal vs. Informal Quantifiers?
Understanding the level of formality helps you apply the correct rules for different writing contexts and grammar exceptions.
- A great many is rather formal. (e.g., A great many crimes go unreported.)
- A lot of is rather more informal than much/many. In informal English we can use a lot of in negatives and questions as well as in positive statements. (e.g., There aren't a lot of tourists/many tourists here.)
- And in more formal English we can use many and much in positive statements as well as in negatives and questions. (e.g., Many tourists come here year after year.)
How to Use (A) Few, (A) Little, and A Bit Of
A few and a little mean a small quantity. We use them mainly in positive statements. A few goes only before plural nouns and a little before uncountable nouns.
- Plural: Yes, there are a few night clubs in the city.
- Uncountable: I've still got a little money/a bit of money, fortunately.
A bit of means the same as a little, but a bit of is more informal.
Little can also be an adjective, e.g., I know a little/a small night club.
We can also use few and little without a. The meaning is negative. Compare these sentences:
- Is this a holiday place? ~ Yes, there are a few tourists here. (a few tourists = some tourists, a small number)
- Is this a holiday place? ~ No, there are few tourists/not many tourists here. It was three in the morning, but there was a little traffic.
- ◼️ (a little traffic - some traffic, a small amount)
- It was three in the morning, so there was little traffic/not much traffic. In informal speech not many/not much is more usual than few/little.
We can use very before few/little. We can use a subject with not many/not much. Not many tourists come here.
What Are Special Patterns with Many and Few?
- Many and few can come after the, these/those or a possessive. The few hotels in the area are always full.
- Can you eat up these few peas?
- Tim introduced us to one of his many girl-friends.
Look at this pattern with many a.
- Many a ship has come to grief off the coast here.
- I've driven along this road many a time.
This is rather literary. In informal speech many times or lots of times would be more usual.
◼️ Many or few can be a complement.
- The disadvantages of the scheme are many.
This is rather literary. Many before the noun is more normal.
- The scheme has many disadvantages/a lot of disadvantages.
What Other Expressions Indicate Large or Small Quantities?
Large Quantities
- A large number of people couldn't get tickets.
- A dishwasher uses a great deal of electricity.
- It uses a large/huge/tremendous amount of electricity.
- Numerous difficulties were put in my way.
- We've got masses of time/heaps of time/loads of time. (informal)
Small Quantities
- Several people/A handful of people got left behind.
- A computer uses only a small/tiny amount of electricity.
Key Takeaways
- Use a lot of and lots of for large quantities with plural and uncountable nouns, mainly in positive statements.
- Use many only with plural nouns and much with uncountable nouns, typically in negative sentences and questions.
- Use a few (plural nouns) and a little (uncountable nouns) to express small quantities in positive statements.
- Dropping the article ("few" or "little") creates a negative meaning denoting a scarce amount.
Quick Practice
Test your understanding of these quantifiers by answering the following questions in the comments section below:
- Should you use "much" or "many" to complete this sentence: "There isn't ______ milk left in the fridge"?
- Is the phrase "a few" used with countable plural nouns or uncountable nouns? Write your answer below!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between "a few" and "few"?
A few has a positive meaning and indicates a small quantity or some amount of plural nouns. In contrast, few without "a" has a negative meaning, implying that the number is unexpectedly or disappointingly small.
Can "a lot of" be used in negative sentences and questions?
Yes. Although "many" and "much" are traditionally used in negatives and questions, in informal English we can also use a lot of in negative statements and questions.
When should I use "many a"?
Many a is a rather literary pattern followed by a singular countable noun and a singular verb (e.g., Many a ship has come to grief...). In informal speech, speakers normally use expressions like "many times" or "lots of times".