Some, any, much, many
Talk about quantities with some, any, much, many and a lot of.
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Before you choose some, any, much or many, ask one question: can I count it?
Countable and uncountable nouns
Countable nouns have a plural and can take a or an. Uncountable nouns have no plural and no a or an.
Countable | Uncountable | |
|---|---|---|
Examples | apple, chair, ticket | water, bread, money |
With a/an | an apple | not possible |
Plural | two apples | not possible |
- I'd like an apple and some bread.
- We need two tickets.
Words that are uncountable in English
Some nouns are uncountable in English even if they are countable in your language: advice, information, news, furniture, luggage, homework. To count them, use a word like piece, bottle, loaf.
- Can you give me some advice?
- She gave me a piece of advice.
- We bought a bottle of water and a loaf of bread.
- Incorrect: I need an advice.
- Correct: I need some advice.
- Incorrect: Can you give me some informations?
- Correct: Can you give me some information?Information has no plural.
Some and any
Use some in positive sentences and any in negatives and questions. Both go with plural nouns and uncountable nouns.
Plural countable | Uncountable | |
|---|---|---|
+ | There are some eggs. | There's some milk. |
− | There aren't any eggs. | There isn't any milk. |
? | Are there any eggs? | Is there any milk? |
- We need some eggs and some butter.
- There isn't any milk in the fridge.
- Have you got any brothers or sisters?
- Incorrect: I haven't got some money.
- Correct: I haven't got any money.
- Incorrect: There is no any milk.
- Correct: There isn't any milk.Use only one negative word: not any, or no.
Some in offers and requests
When we offer something or ask for something, we use some in questions.
- Would you like some tea?
- Can I have some water, please?
Much and many
Use many with countable nouns and much with uncountable nouns. They are most common in questions and negatives. How much? also asks about the price.
Countable | Uncountable | |
|---|---|---|
? | How many eggs? | How much milk? |
− | not many eggs | not much milk |
- How many people work in your office?
- I haven't got much free time this week.
- There aren't many shops in our village.
- How much is this jacket?
- Incorrect: How much people came?
- Correct: How many people came?People is plural and countable, so use many.
A lot of
In positive sentences much and many on their own sound formal. In everyday English we use a lot of with both kinds of noun.
- She drinks a lot of coffee.
- There are a lot of good shops in our town.
- Incorrect: I have much friends.
- Correct: I have a lot of friends.Friends is plural, so much is wrong. Many is possible, but in a positive sentence a lot of sounds more natural.
A few and a little
Both mean "a small number or amount, but some". Use a few with plural countable nouns and a little with uncountable nouns. In speech, a bit of is common instead of a little.
Countable | Uncountable | |
|---|---|---|
a small amount | a few eggs | a little milk |
- I've got a few questions about the course.
- We stayed in Edinburgh for a few days.
- Can I have a little milk in my coffee, please?
- Incorrect: I have a little friends in London.
- Correct: I have a few friends in London.Friends is countable, so use a few.
- Incorrect: There is a few time before the train.
- Correct: There is a little time before the train.
Too much and too many
Too means "more than is good". Too much and too many are fine in positive sentences.
- There are too many cars in the city centre.
- I ate too much cake.
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Related rules
Where this rule sits
All A1 rulesPronouns and determiners: all rules
Syllabus topics on this page
- A1BeginnerCountable / uncountable; some / any
- A2Elementarymuch / many / a lot of / a few / a little