What is many? Pronunciation and usage in English

many means . Learn how to pronounce and use many through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of many

manydeterminer

/ˈmɛni/
Definition & pronunciation of many

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "many" in English. It's a tricky one for some learners! Here's a breakdown:

The most common and generally accepted pronunciation is:

  • /meni/ (rhymes with "penny")

Here's a more detailed breakdown of the sounds:

  1. "M": Pronounced as a simple "m" sound – like in "man."

  2. "A": This is where it gets tricky. The "a" in "many" is a schwa sound. A schwa is a very relaxed, unstressed vowel sound. It's often described as a very short, neutral "uh" sound. Think of how you say "about" – the "a" is a schwa.

  3. "N": Pronounced as a simple "n" sound – like in "now."

  4. "Y": The "y" is also a schwa, just like the "a." It's a relaxed, short "uh" sound.

Tips for getting it right:

  • Don't over-emphasize the "a": That's the biggest mistake people make. It should be very soft and unstressed.
  • Listen to native speakers: The best way to learn is to hear it. Here are some resources:
    • Google Translate: Type "many" into Google Translate and click the speaker icon.
    • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/many/ - This website has pronunciations from native speakers.
    • YouTube: Search for "how to pronounce many" on YouTube.

Common Mispronunciations:

  • "man-ee": This is a very common mistake! It's trying to make the "a" sound more distinct, but it's not correct.
  • "men-ee": Similar to above, but with a slightly longer "e" sound.

To summarize: /meni/ – like "penny". Focus on the schwa sound for the "a" and "y."

Do you want me to:

  • Record an example of the pronunciation?
  • Give you some other words with similar tricky vowel sounds?

Usage and examples with the word many in English

Let's break down how to use the word "many" in English. It's a fantastic word, but it’s often misused! Here's a comprehensive guide:

1. Basic Meaning & Usage:

  • "Many" means "a large number of." It's a quantifier – it tells us how much or many something there is. It's generally used with countable nouns (things you can count individually).

2. Comparison to "Few" & "Little":

  • "Many" is the opposite of "few."

    • Many students enjoy reading. (Lots of students)
    • Few students enjoyed reading. (Not many – a small number)

  • "Many" is also the opposite of "little."

    • Many apples were on the table. (Lots of apples)
    • Little attention was paid to the problem. (Not much – a small amount)

3. Correct Usage with Countable Nouns:

This is where “many” shines. Here’s how to use it:

  • Singular Countable Nouns (with a little trick): You can often use "many" with singular countable nouns, especially when talking about an amount rather than a specific collection. It sounds more formal and polished.

    • “Many scientists are working on this project.” (Not ‘Much scientists’) – Think of it as ‘a large number of scientists.’
    • “Many books are on the shelf.” (Not ‘Much books’) - again, referring to a large quantity.
    • "I bought many coins." (Not ‘I bought much coins’ - coins are countable)

  • Plural Countable Nouns: "Many" is perfectly acceptable.

    • “Many children played in the park.”
    • “Many cars lined the street.”

4. Using "Many" in Phrases:

  • “A great many”: This emphasizes a very large number. (Often considered slightly more formal than just “many.”)

    • “A great many people attended the concert.”

  • “Many a”: This is used before a clause (a group of words that functions as a noun) to indicate several or many examples.

    • “Many a time, I've felt frustrated with this process.” (Several times)
    • “Many a student struggles with algebra.” (Several students)

5. Don’t Use “Many” with Uncountable Nouns:

  • Incorrect: “Many water was spilled.”
  • Correct: “A lot of water was spilled.” OR “Much water was spilled.” ( ‘Much’ is better for uncountable nouns.)

6. Alternatives to “Many”:

Here are some other ways to express a large number, depending on the context:

  • A lot of: (Very common and versatile - works with both countable and uncountable nouns) - “A lot of people came.” “A lot of sugar.”
  • Lots of: (Similar to “a lot of”) - “Lots of friends helped me.”
  • Numerous: (More formal) - “Numerous students were present.”
  • Several: (Indicates a smaller number than “many” or “a lot of”) - “Several guests arrived.”
  • Plenty of: (Indicates an abundance - usually uncountable) - “There’s plenty of time.”

7. "Much" vs. "Many": A Quick Recap

Feature Many Much
Nouns Countable Uncountable
Examples Many books, many cars Much water, much time

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • Are you struggling with a specific type of sentence where you're using "many"?
  • Can you give me an example sentence where you're unsure about using "many"?

Synonyms for the word many

Idioms of the word many

as many as…
used to show surprise that the number of people or things involved is so large
  • There were as many as 200 people at the lecture.
have had one too many
(informal)to be slightly drunk
    many’s the…
    (formal)used to show that something happens often
    • Many's the time I heard her use those words.

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