a lot of - much - many

A lot of - much - many are used to express quantity.

A lot of : can be used in all sentences, affirmative, negative and interrogative.

Much-many : are used in negative and interrogative sentences. They are rarely used in affirmative sentences, except if they begin the sentence (see table below).

Much is used with uncountable nouns (for example : much English) Many is used with countable nouns (for example : many words).

Affirmative Negative Interrogative

We learn a lot of English. I don't know a lot of English. Do you learn a lot of English?

I make a lot of mistakes. I don't know much English. Do you know much English?


I don't know a lot of words. Do you make a lot of
BUT... mistakes?
I don't know many words. Do you make many mistakes?
Much of our food is exported.

Many people drive too fast.

Compare a lot of and a lot :

◊ Tom knows a lot of vocabulary.

◊ Tom is talkative. He talks a lot.

from: Learn English Today