some, any, much, many

Level A2 · How much? How many?

How do you talk about amounts?

These words describe quantity. The choice depends on two things: can you count the noun, and is the sentence positive, a question or a negative?

Two questions to ask

Countable (apples) or uncountable (water)?
Positive sentence, or question / negative?

Pattern

many + countable · much + uncountable

Examples

How **many** eggs do we need? — eggs can be counted
I don’t have **any** money. — any in a negative

Remember: When you offer or ask for something, some is fine in a question: Would you like some tea?

The rule

Many for things you can count (many apples), much for things you can't (much water). Some in positive sentences, any in questions and negatives.

Count / no count: How many eggs? → How much milk?

Tip

In positive sentences, people usually say a lot of: a lot of money, a lot of friends.

Common mistakes

Not: ~~How many money?~~ — But: How much money?
Not: ~~I don't have some time.~~ — But: I don't have any time.

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