The words MUCH and MANY, and A LOT OF are used to indicate a large quantity of something. They are Quantifiers.
If a noun is SINGULAR, we use : MUCH
Example: We've got much work to do.
If a noun is PLURAL, we use : MANY
Example: She's got many friends.
For both SINGULAR and PLURAL nouns, we can also use : A LOT OF / LOTS OF
Example: There is a lot of wind today. There were a lot of / lots of people. Much and Many are most common in questions and negatives, and after so, as, too and very.
In other informal affirmative sentences, we generally prefer a lot of, lots of or plenty of.
All three of these can be used both with uncountable words and plurals.
In formal style, many and much are more common in affirmative sentences. You will notice this for example when you read English news.
COUNTABLE / UNCOUNTABLE NOUNS
In connection with much and many, people often speak of countable nouns and uncountable nouns.
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Countable nouns have a singular and a plural form. In plural, these nouns can be used with a number (that's why they are called 'countable nouns'). Countable nouns take many.
Example: 20 cars – many cars. 100 books - many books.
Uncountable nouns can only be used in singular. These nouns cannot be used with a number (that's why they are called 'uncountable nouns'). Uncountable nouns take much.
Example: 50 money (it's impossible*) – much money.
* Note: Of course you can count money, but then you would name the currency and say that you have got 50 Pounds or 20 Euros (but not 20 money).
Remember : In affirmative sentences with so, as or too, we also use much / many.
Examples:
Brian has so many antique cars.
Sue has as many friends as Jessica.
Jimmy has too much money.
After reading this lesson you may want to do some exercises, then click HERE.