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One of the most widely-used words in English is 'many' and we are going to learn its uses in this lesson.
Functions of 'Many'
1. 'Many' as a Determiner
Use
'Many' as a determiner is used before (countable) plural nouns to refer to a large number of things or people. For example:
The mayor appreciated many engineers who constructed the bridge.
Many things can happen so be ready.
Position in the Sentence
'Many' as a determiner precedes a noun and modifies it. 'Many' and the modified noun can act as the object, subject, subject complement, etc.
The mayor appreciated many engineers who constructed the bridge.
object
Many things can happen so be ready.
subject
'Many' as a determiner can be often used in negative statements.
I have never known many things in my life.
as many as
'As many' is used to compare countable things, like:
They knew as many things as you.
2. 'Many' as a Pronoun
Use
Another use of 'many' is being a pronoun that replaces a noun it refers to and it indicates 'a large number of things or people.'
Many can be done.
'Many' might replace 'things.'
Some students can solve the problem but many can't.
I am going to buy some apples; however, he does not want many.
Position in a Sentence
'Many' as a pronoun replaces the noun it refers to, so it takes the role of the noun; whether it is the subject or the object.
Many can be done.
subject
I am going to buy some apples; however, he does not want many.
object
Tip
'Many' in 'not many', 'too many', or 'not very many' can be used in short answers.
_ Do you have many books? _ No, not many.
'Many' is a pronoun here.
3. 'Many' as a Noun
Use
'Many' as a noun means 'the great majority of people, especially the ordinary people in society, considered as a separate group from the society.'
The many are striving for live, while the few is living happily.
Position in a Sentence
'Many' as a noun can take articles and have a different part of speech in a sentence. It is essential to know that a plural verb must be used. For example:
The many are striving for live, while the few is living happily.
Here, the many is the subject.
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