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Unit 87 · Pronouns and determiners

much, many, little, few, a lot, plenty

Study

A

We use much and little with uncountable nouns:

much luck much time little energy little money

We use many and few with plural nouns:

many friends many people few cars few children

We use a lot of / lots of / plenty of with both 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.

›

There's plenty to do in this town.

B

Much is unusual in positive sentences (especially in spoken English). Compare:

›

We didn't spend much money. But We spent a lot of money.

›

Do you see David much? But I see David a lot.

But we use too much / so much / as much in positive sentences:

›

We spent too much money.

We use many and a lot of in all kinds of sentences:

›

Many people drive too fast. or A lot of people drive too fast.

›

Do you know many people? or Do you know a lot of people?

›

There aren't many tourists here. or There aren't a lot of tourists here.

Note that we say many years / many weeks / many days:

›

We've lived here for many years. (not usually a lot of years)

C

little = not much, few = not many:

›

Gary is very busy with his job. He has little time for other things.

(= not much time, less time than he would like)

›

Vicky doesn't like living in London. She has few friends there.

(= not many friends, not as many as she would like)

We often use very little and very few:

›

Gary has very little time for other things.

›

Vicky has very few friends in London.

D

a little = some, a small amount:

›

Let's go and have coffee. We have a little time before the train leaves.

(a little time = some time, enough time to have a coffee)

›

'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 was the last time you saw Clare?' 'A few days ago.' (= 3 or 4 days ago)

E

Compare little and a little, few and a few:

›

He spoke little English, so it was difficult to communicate with him.

›

He spoke a little English, so we were able to communicate with him.

›

She's lucky. She has few problems. (= not many problems)

›

Things are not going so well for her. She has a few problems. (= some problems)

We say only a little (not only little) and only a few (not only few):

›

Hurry! We only have a little time. (= some, but not much time)

›

The village was small. There were only a few houses. (= some but not many houses)

Exercises (5)

0/5 exercises checked
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87.1

In some of these sentences much is incorrect or unnatural. Change much to many or a lot (of) where necessary. Write 'OK' if the sentence is correct.

  1. 1
    We didn't eat much.
    ✓ 正确，无需修改example
  2. 2
    My mother drinks much tea.
    My mother drinks a lot of tea.example
  3. 3
    Be quick. We don't have much time.
  4. 4
    It cost much to repair the car.
  5. 5
    Did it cost much to repair the car?
  6. 6
    You have much luggage. Let me help you.
  7. 7
    There wasn't much traffic this morning.
  8. 8
    I don't know much people in this town.
  9. 9
    Do you eat much fruit?
  10. 10
    Mike likes travelling. He travels much.
87.2

Complete the sentences using plenty of … or plenty to …. Choose from:

hotelslearnmoneyroomseetime
  1. 1
    There's no need to hurry. There's time.example
  2. 2
    He has no financial problems. He has money.
  3. 3
    Come and sit with us. There's room.
  4. 4
    She knows a lot, but she still has learn.
  5. 5
    It's an interesting town to visit. There is see.
  6. 6
    I'm sure we'll find somewhere to stay. There are hotels.
87.3

Put in much/many/little/few (one word only).

  1. 1
    She isn't popular. She has friends.example
  2. 2
    Anna is very busy these days. She has free time.
  3. 3
    Did you take pictures at the wedding?
  4. 4
    This is a modern city. There are old buildings.
  5. 5
    The weather has been very dry recently. We've had rain.
  6. 6
    I don't know London well. I haven't been there for years.
  7. 7
    The two cars are similar. There is difference between them.
  8. 8
    I'm not very busy today. I don't have to do.
  9. 9
    It's a wonderful place to live. There are better places to be.
87.4

Which is right?

  1. 1
    She's lucky.
  2. 2
    Can you lend me
  3. 3
    It was the middle of the night, so there was
  4. 4
    They got married
  5. 5
    I can't give you a decision yet. I need
  6. 6
    I don't know much Russian –
  7. 7
    It was a surprise that he won the game.
87.5

Put in little / a little / few / a few.

  1. 1
    Gary is very busy with his job. He has time for other things.example
  2. 2
    Listen carefully. I'm going to give you advice.
  3. 3
    Do you mind if I ask you questions?
  4. 4
    It's not a very interesting place, so tourists visit.
  5. 5
    I don't think Amy would be a good teacher. She has patience.
  6. 6
    'Would you like milk in your coffee?' 'Yes, , please.'
  7. 7
    This is a boring place to live. There's to do.
  8. 8
    I know Hong Kong quite well. I've been there times.
  9. 9
    There were only people at the meeting.
  10. 10
    'Did you do all this work on your own?' 'No, I had help from my friends.'