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Coincidence Posted 11 years ago
Grammar

many/a lot of

Hello,
I have read in many ( Emotion: wink grammar books that the words many and much are used in questions and negative sentences whereas a lot of/lots of in positive sentences. I have just looked up this grammar issue and I have found quite a few posts written by native speakers who say that many and much can be used in positive sentences (with the exception of mass nouns, e.g. I have much money X I have a lot of money V).

I guess that this sentence is correct then :
In London you can find many interesting things.

Are my sentences correct as well?:
I have read in many books...
I have found many posts...

Thank you in advance for your help.
Kind regards.
  

Top answer

I have found many posts... Don't confuse "correct" with "idiomatic". These are correct, but substituting "a lot of" for "many" would make them more idiomatic.

— CalifJim

  • I have found many posts...
  • Don't confuse "correct" with "idiomatic".
  • These are correct, but substituting "a lot of" for "many" would make them more idiomatic.
  • CJ
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2 Answers
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CoincidenceI guess that this sentence is correct then :In London you can find many interesting things.Are my sentences correct as well?:I have read in many books...I have found many posts...
Don't confuse "correct" with "idiomatic". These are correct, but substituting "a lot of" for "many" would make them more idiomatic.

CJ
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CalifJimThese are correct, but substituting "a lot of" for "many" would make them more idiomatic.
I don't entirely agree. It might make them a little less stuffy, but I would write, and probably say in some situations, I have read in many books...and I have found many posts... .
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