Much vs Many
There is a definite difference between much and many though some people do not pay any attention to this difference at all. It can be said that both the words, much and many, should be used as adjectives but with a difference. If we look at the two word much and many separately there are some interesting facts to be noted. Much is known as a determiner, pronoun and an adverb while the word many is known as a determiner, pronoun, adjective and sometimes a noun as in the plural form the many. Moreover, much has its origins in the Middle English while many has its origins in the Old English word manig.
What does Much mean?
The word much is generally used as an adjective with uncountable nouns as in the sentences given below:
I made much effort to solve the problem.
He gave her much support.
In the first sentence, the word much is used with the uncountable noun, namely effort and in the second sentence, the word much is used with the uncountable noun, namely, support.
It is interesting to note that the word much is often followed by the preposition ‘of’ as in the sentence given below.
Too much of effort has been taken to complete the work.
It is also interesting to note that the word much is often preceded by the adverb ‘very’ to lay emphasis as in the sentences given below:
I loved her very much.
She thanked her sister very much.
What does Many mean?
On the other hand, the word many is used as an adjective with a countable noun as in the sentences given below:
He gave many books to me.
She sang many songs.
In the first sentence, the word many is used with the countable noun, namely, books and in the second sentence, the word many is used with the countable noun, namely, songs. At the same time, the word many is also often followed by the preposition ‘of’ as in the sentence given below.
I told many of my friends about my success.
As is the case with the word much, the word many is also often preceded by the adverb ‘very’ to lay emphasis as is shown in the following sentences:
She conveyed very many thanks.
They cried very many pardons.
What is the difference between Much and Many?
• The word much is generally used as an adjective with uncountable nouns.
• On the other hand, the word many is used as an adjective with a countable noun . This is one of the main differences between the two words much and many.
• It is interesting to note that the word much is often followed by the preposition ‘of.’
• At the same time, the word many is also often followed by the preposition ‘of.’
• It is also interesting to note that both the words, much and many, are often preceded by the adverb very to lay emphasis .
These are the important differences between the two adjectives much and many.