MUCH, MANY, LITTLE, FEW, A LOT, PLENTY

Hi people. Let´s talk about quantifiers.

Here is a list of uses. Hope you like it.
xxx
Elen


A. We use much and little with uncountable nouns:
much time much luck little energy little money

We use many and few with plural nouns:
many friends many people few cars few countries

B. We use a lot of/lots of/plenty of with uncountable and plural nouns:
a lot of luck lots of time plenty of money a lot of friends lots of people plenty of ideas
Plenty = more than enough:

There's no need to hurry. We've got plenty of time.
I've had plenty to eat. I don't want any more.

C. We use much/many especially in negative sentences and questions. A lot (of) is also possible:
We didn't spend much money. (or We didn't spend a lot of money.)
Do you know many people? (or Do you know a lot of people?)
I don't go out much. (or I don't go out a lot.)

In positive sentences a lot (of) is more usual. Much is unusual in positive sentences in spoken English:
We spent a lot of money. (not 'We spent much money')
He goes out a lot. (not 'He goes out much')

You can use many in positive sentences, but a lot (of) is more usual in spoken English:
A lot of people (or Many people) drive too fast.

D. Little and few (without 'a') are negative ideas (= not much/not many):
We must be quick. There is little time. (= not much, not enough time)
He isn't popular. He has few friends. (= not many, not enough friends) You can say very little and very few:
There is very little time.

A little and a few are more positive. A little = some, a small amount: Let's go and have a drink. We've got a little time before the train leaves. (a little time = some time, enough time to have a drink)
'Do you speak English?' 'A little.' (so we can talk a bit)

A few = some, a small number: I enjoy my life here. I have a few friends and we meet quite often. (a few friends = not many but enough to have a good time)
'When did you last see Clare?' 'A few days ago.' (= some days ago)