All contents in the syllabus + many

Question

Hi, Do I use "many" correctly?Sentence:Before the exam period, we found that we couldn't memorize all the contents in the syllabus, because there were too many.I would like to convey:There were/are too many contents in my previous exams.Will reader think therer were too many contents or too many syllabus?Thanks

Mister Micawber · Accepted Answer

It is confusing. Also, please incorporate the corrections I have already given you.

Before the exam, we found that we couldn't memorize all the content of the syllabus, because there was too much.

TrysB · Answer

Hi uktous,

The plural noun 'contents' refers to the content of the syllabus--all the chapters, lessons, examples, readings, etc.; but you would not say 'there were too many', meaning too many contents because contents refers to everything.

You could say: Before the exam, we found that we couldn't memorize all the contents of the syllabus because there were too many chapters. You don't have to use the word chapters. You could say too many pages or too many lessons.

If I were writing that sentence, I would not use the words 'all' and 'many' but rather say: We couldn't memorize the entire contents of the syllabus before the exam, because there was too much material.

By substituting the entire for all, and too much for too many, you have solved the problem.

Best wishes,
TrysB

All contents in the syllabus + many

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