Many or Much?

In English, the choice between many and much depends on whether the noun is countable or uncountable.

Here is the breakdown based on common English usage:

1. Many (Contável - Plural)

• Use with: Things you can count (cars, people, books, friends).
• Meaning: Muitos / Muitas.
• Examples:
  • Many people (Muitas pessoas)
  • Many cars (Muitos carros)
  • Many friends (Muitos amigos)

2. Much (Incontável - Singular)

• Use with: Things you cannot count, such as liquids, abstract concepts, or substances (water, time, money, information).
• Meaning: Muito / Muita.
• Examples:
  • Much money (Muito dinheiro)
  • Much water (Muita água)
  • Much time (Muito tempo)

Summary Table

Quantifier Usage Examples:
‍

Many

‍Countable (Plural) Many books, many students, many cars.
‍

‍Much

‍Uncountable (Singular)Much work, much time, much money.

Tip

• Use many para o que pode ter plural (adiciona 's').
• Use much para o que não tem plural (líquidos, conceitos).

Note: In affirmative sentences, it is very common to use "a lot of" for both countable and uncountable nouns instead of "much" or "many".