| 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
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.
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| 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. (not We spent much money)
- Do you see David much?
but I see David a lot. (not I see David much)
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 (not a lot of .. . ):
- We've lived here for many years. (not a lot of years)
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| 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, not as many as she would like)
You can say very little and very few:
- Gary has very little time for other things.
- Vicky has very few friends in London.
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| D |
A little = some, a small amount:
- Let's go and have a 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.' (= some days ago)
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)
You can say only a little and only a few:
- Hurry! We only have a little time. (not only little time)
- The village was very small. There were only a few houses. (not only few houses)
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