1 many
Pronounced:
/ˈmɛni/
Function:
adjectiveMeaning:
—used to refer to a large number of things or people ▪ She worked hard for many years. ▪ They were one of the many, many families that came to watch the parade. ▪ Gardening is one of her very many interests. ▪ They talked about the many benefits of learning English. ▪ You can never have too many friends. ▪ Some people will come, but many more people will not. ▪ A great/good many people [=very many people] did not survive. —often used in negative statements ▪ We don't have many choices. [=we have few choices] ▪ There weren't many people at the party.
as many
—used to talk about or compare amounts ▪ She read as many books as she could. [=she read the largest number of books possible] ▪ She read three times as many books as he did. [=she read three times more books than he did] ▪ We saw three plays in as many days. [=we saw three plays in three days] ▪ She wrote five books in as many years.
how many
—used to ask or talk about an amount ▪ How many people were there? ▪ I was surprised by how many people were there. ▪ How many times [=how often] do I have to tell you to lock the door?