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Use quantifiers to talk about quantity. The correct form depends on whether the noun is countable or uncountable.
Overview
Use quantifiers to talk about quantity. The correct form depends on whether the noun is countable or uncountable.
Form and rules
Use many with plural countable nouns: many people, many questions.
Use much with uncountable nouns, especially in questions and negatives: much time, much money.
Use a lot of with both plural countable and uncountable nouns: a lot of books, a lot of work.
Use a few with plural countable nouns to mean a small positive number: a few friends.
Use a little with uncountable nouns to mean a small positive amount: a little water.
A closer look
Many and a few go with plural countable nouns. Much and a little go with uncountable nouns. A lot of works with both groups.
A few and a little normally mean a small but positive amount. Few and little without a can sound more negative because they suggest not enough.
Examples
How many students are there?
We don't have much time.
She has a lot of books.
I have a few questions.
There's a little milk left.
Common mistakes
Students is plural and countable, so use many.
Water is uncountable, so use a little.
Ready to practise?
The test combines multiple choice, gap completion, error correction, and sentence building so students have to recognise and produce the grammar, not simply reread the rule.