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What Are Their Main Differences?
Differences
What They Refer to
- 'Several':
refers to a small number. When we use the term 'number,' it implies that we are talking about a countable noun. So, 'several' has nothing to do with amounts and uncountable nouns.
We have spent
- 'Many':
refers to a large number. It means that whenever it is used before a noun it modifies its quantity. As a quantifier, it refers to a great number.
Grammatical Function
- 'Many'
- as a noun
'Many' as a noun means 'the majority of' something or even people. In this case, you can also add determiners before it. For example, you might have heard the phrase 'the many' a lot. Check out the examples for more clarification.
The clown attracted the attention of the
His
Common Expressions with 'Many'
- As many:
is mostly used in American English to refer to the same number of something that has been mentioned earlier.
John has five certifications and I think I have
Write
- As many as:
is used to indicate how large and surprising the number of the thing we are referring to is. Actually, it shows how large we mean by 'many.'
This ant hill seems to have
She drinks
Using 'Too' and 'So'
- 'Many'
We can use the terms 'too' and 'so' before the term 'many' to intensify it. And it is actually, really common to use 'too many' and 'so many' in English. But the word 'several' cannot follow 'too' and 'so.' For example, there is no such thing as 'so several' or 'too several.'
He had
We have taken
'Many a'
using many a is considered old-fashioned and formal, however, generally 'many' is considered formal in affirmative sentences. 'Many a' is not used in modern English but it has the same meaning as 'many.' The important thing to know is that we do not use plural countable nouns and as a result it, we use a singular noun with it, as well. Remember 'many' is mostly used in negative and interrogative sentences, however, we use it in affirmative sentences a lot in everyday English.
Similarities
Grammatical Functions
- 'Many' and 'several':
- as determiners
- as pronouns
Determiners are used before nouns to modify them. 'Many' and 'several' as determiners are followed by plural countable nouns to refer to a large quantity. As pronouns, 'several' and 'many' are used alone, by 'alone', we mean they are not immediately followed by a noun.
She doesn't have
How Verbs Agree with Nouns
- 'Many' and 'several':
as determiners, are followed by plural countable nouns. As a result, both of them require plural verbs. As pronouns they refer to a large number so, we have to use plural verbs with 'many' and 'several.'
I will stay for
'Many of' and 'Several of'
- 'Many' and 'several':
can be immediately followed by plural nouns as determiners. But the point is that whenever they are followed by a noun phrase we mean a determiner plus a noun or even a pronoun they are followed by the term 'of.' Here is the structure:
[many of/several of + determiner + noun], or [many of/several of + pronouns].
Check out the examples for more clarification.
Quantifiers
- 'Many' and 'several':
are quantifiers. It might raise a question that is: "What are quantifiers?". To get the answer to this question at first you have to know what quantity is. 'Quantity' means a definite amount or number. Now that you are familiar with the concept of quantity, the final step is to know that quantifiers refer to quantities and indicate a special amount or number.
When I was young I have had
Mia's grandmother forgot to bring
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