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HSS Posted 19 years ago
Grammar
A Lot of, Many
Hi,
You would find 'a lot of' and 'lots of' etc. as adjective phrases of the objects of very many affirmative statements. However, the author uses 'many' in the following passage. What difference do you feel?
Best,
Hiro
You would find 'a lot of' and 'lots of' etc. as adjective phrases of the objects of very many affirmative statements. However, the author uses 'many' in the following passage. What difference do you feel?
Any and all comments would be greatly appreciated.
Mothers of multiples are particularly at risk for depression after the birth of their babies. What about you? Postportum Depression more>cripples many mothers, and the risk of symptoms is elevated in mothers who have multiples. From "Baby Blues" to dangerous Postpartum Psychosis, find out how this condition effects mothers in different ways.
Best,
Hiro
Top answer
' Lots / A lot of ' is a bit too casual for careful writing.
- ' Lots / A lot of ' is a bit too casual for careful writing.
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10 Answers
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Thanks. Does the same apply to the following set? I thought 'many' as an adjective of the object of a sentence was best avoided. If the following are in writing, is [1] better, then?
[1] They eat many apples at dinner. This helps the family maintain such good health.
[2] They eat a lot of apples at dinner. This helps the family maintain such good health.
Thanks.
[1] They eat many apples at dinner. This helps the family maintain such good health.
[2] They eat a lot of apples at dinner. This helps the family maintain such good health.
Thanks.
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Yes, for formal writing, many is better there too. Can you present us a source for your idea that many makes a poor object adjective? I don't believe I've heard that one before.
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Many thanks, MM, as always.
I've learned the idea from several people and some literature, such books as Michael Swan's Practical English Usage, which I used back at UCD twenty-some years ago. However, now that I plucked the books out of my bookshelves, and read over the explanations, I feel I've been a bit off the point. They don't particularly say 'many' and 'much' are not used as an ob
I've learned the idea from several people and some literature, such books as Michael Swan's Practical English Usage, which I used back at UCD twenty-some years ago. However, now that I plucked the books out of my bookshelves, and read over the explanations, I feel I've been a bit off the point. They don't particularly say 'many' and 'much' are not used as an ob
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Yet I have had this feeling that this tendency is even seen largely in writing as well.No doubt you are right, as casual language continues to gain acceptability in print. Still, I think it wise to avoid 'a lot/lots' in any serious writing.
The problem of 'much' used in affirmative statements remains with us as well-- it sounds odd, yet there are f
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In addition to what has been said above, I wonder if some verbs of causing certain effects on animate beings are exempt from the usual observations about the usage of many.
cripples many mothers
harms many people
affects many children
and similar constructions.
CJ
cripples many mothers
harms many people
affects many children
and similar constructions.
CJ
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Which is better to use in interrogative and negative statements: 'a lot of' / 'lots of' or 'many'? Thanks.
--Karen
--Karen
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Hello!
I am reading an English book for ESL students. It says here that 'a lot of' is used for affirmative statements while 'much' and 'many' are used in negative and interrogative statements. Can't I use 'a lot of' in questions and in negative sentences? Thanks.
I am reading an English book for ESL students. It says here that 'a lot of' is used for affirmative statements while 'much' and 'many' are used in negative and interrogative statements. Can't I use 'a lot of' in questions and in negative sentences? Thanks.
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Generally "lots of" is less formal than "a lot of." Many is perhaps slightly more formal than "a lot of."
Do you have many Xes? Do you have much X? -- You'll probably hear many/much used in questions more often.
Do you have many Xes? Do you have much X? -- You'll probably hear many/much used in questions more often.
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Your ESL book is overly prescriptive and slightly wrong, Karen, if that's what it says. The general uses of much, many and a lot/lots of have been laid down earlier in this thread. Let me attempt a summary (from my personal viewpoint):
A lot / lots of is used in all forms of sentences: affirmative, negative and interrogative; however, it is often too informal for w
A lot / lots of is used in all forms of sentences: affirmative, negative and interrogative; however, it is often too informal for w
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