Much, many, a lot of, a little, a few

Grammar chart: Much, many, a lot of, a little, a few, no, any, none

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Much/many

Many for countable, much for uncountable in (?) (-)

We use much/many in negative sentences and questions. We use many before plural countable nouns and much before uncountable nouns. We don’t normally use them in affirmative sentences.

• There isn’t much coffee in the jar.
• Were there many people at the party?

How much/how many

We use how many + plural nouns and how much + uncountable nouns to ask about quantity.

• How many books did you read last semester?
• How much coffee do you drink every day?

We can also say How much is it? to ask about the price of an item.

• ‘How much is it?’ ‘It’s 43 pounds.’
• ‘How much are the trousers?’ ‘They’re 58 pounds.’

A lot (of)

Before both countable and uncountable

We use a lot of before both plural countable and uncountable nouns to talk about a large quantity. We normally use a lot of in positive sentences.

• She spends a lot of time watching TV.
• We had lots of good moments together.

We can say quite a lot of to talk about medium quantity.

• With my new job, I have quite a lot of free time. 

It is also possible to use a lot of in negative sentences and questions.

• Do you eat a lot of sugar?
• I don’t read a lot of books.

Of before noun; of at the end of sentence

We must always use a lot of including of before a noun. However, we can use a lot (without of) at the end of a sentence or in short answers.

• ‘How many beers did you have?’ ‘I don’t know; I had a lot.’
• I like her a lot.
• ‘How much coffee did you have?’ ‘A lot.’

A few/a little

A few for countable; a little for uncountable

We use a few before plural countable nouns and a little before uncountable nouns in affirmative, negative and interrogative sentences to talk about a small quantity.

• I have to do a few things this afternoon.
• I always put a little milk in my tea.

Not many, not much

We can also use not many + plural countable or not much + uncountable nouns. The meaning is similar.

• I don’t have to do many things this afternoon.
• I don’t put much milk in my tea.

No/not…any/none

When we want to talk about zero quantity, we can use no + noun or not…any + noun. The meaning is the same.

• I have no time today.
• I don’t have any time today.

In short answers, we use none.

• ‘How much time do you have?’ ‘None.’