English: Grammar: Quantifiers: A lot of/lots of, much, many, plenty of, numerous, a large number of, etc and related (Smart Handout 5: by Million Abebe: MA)

5. A lot of/lots of, much, many, plenty of... 

All the above quantifiers are used for large numbers/quantities.

5.1. A lot of and lots of:

♦ Are used with both CN (plural) and UCN.
♦ Are, mostly, used for positive idea with statement (Statement is sentence ended with full stop.) or exclamation sentence.
♦ Forms: a lot of/lots + PN/UCN: positive
Examples:

• A lot of/lots people are affected by coronavirus.
• We have got a lot of/lots information about how to protect ourselves from coronavirus.

5.2. Many is used:

♦ With countable nouns.
♦ For negative ideas.
♦ For questions/interrogative sentence (NB: The sentence could be negative or positive.).
♦ Form: many + CN

Examples:

• Many countries don't allow flights because of coronavirus pandemic.
• How many people have died due to coronavirus in Ethiopia?
• Why many students don't like assignment?
• Why many students like grammar?

5.3. Much is used:

♦ With uncountable nouns.
♦ For questions/interrogative sentence (NB: The sentence could be negative or positive.).

♦ Form: much + UCN

Examples:

• We didn't get much information about coronavirus causes.
• How much do you pay me?

5.4. Especial Attention Areas: 3 Key Points

There are 3 key points that need especial attention, in relation to 'a lof of/lots of/many/much'. 

Note:

A. Some Terms:

There are some terms that are used with with large numbers/quantities.  

•   quite/rather + a lot of/lots of
•   very/so/too/as/how + many & much

B. A lot (without 'of' and 'noun')

Sometimes, 'a lot' (without 'of' and 'noun') could be used. In this case, it could be used as object or subject of a sentence.

Examples:

• Thanks to technologies! Now, we know a lot about coronavirus. (as object)
• A lot has been said about coronavirus protection on media but no changes on most people. (as subject)

Note: 'A lot of' is more formal than 'lots of'.

C. Many' and 'much' with positive idea

'Many' and 'much' can be used with positive statements. In more formal English we can use many and much in positive statements aswell as in negatives and questions (Oxford University Press).

Examples:

• Although much has been said, still I have many questions concerning coronavirus.
• Many books have been written Abay River.

D. All, any, both, each, either, every... with various forms but different meanings

These are some quantifiers that can be used with various forms but different meanings.
These are 'all, any, both, each, either, few, many, much, neither, no, most, some, none...'
Forms:

• quantifiers + noun
• quantifiers + determiners + noun
• quantifiers + determiners + of + noun
• quantifiers + of + pronoun

Note:
demonstrative pronouns (this, that, these, those)
articles (a, an, the)
possessive adjectives (my, your, his, her, their, our...)
Examples:

• 'All students' want to get good mark. (all over the world)
• 'All the students' in this country are now out of school due to coronavirus.

Checkpoint 5

Reading Assignment
Read about the usages of these enough, plenty of, numerous, a large number of, etc