Much, many, little, and few sound natural in affirmative statements when used predicatively, alone or with of, as in much has changed since the merger, or intensified with very, as in very few candidates passed. Directly before a plain noun in affirmatives, a lot of usually sounds more natural.
Grammar Rule
Much/many/little/few are natural in affirmative statements when used predicatively (alone or with of), not as determiners directly before a noun.
Much, Many, Little, Few in Predicative Position: Rules and Examples
| Use | Natural? | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Predicative (alone or + of) | natural, formal | Much has changed since the merger. Many of the villagers had never left the valley. |
| Intensified with very | natural | Very few candidates passed the final interview. Little is known about the manuscript’s true author. |
| Attributive (directly before a noun) | unnatural in affirmatives — prefer a lot of | I have a lot of homework (not I have much homework). |
Remember: use much/many/little/few alone or with of in affirmative statements (predicative use); avoid them directly before a plain noun in affirmative statements, where a lot of sounds more natural.
Practice Test
Instructions
Answer each question in the test below using much, many, little, and few correctly. You will get a new random set of questions every time you retake the test, plus a downloadable results summary with your name and score at the end.
C1-54 "Much", "Many", "Little", "Few" in Predicative Position and with "Very"
Click «Start the test» to begin right away — no signup required. You can get a personalized certificate with your name and score at the end, if you want one.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do much, many, little, and few sound natural in affirmative statements?
When used predicatively, alone or with of, as in much has changed since the merger.
Can these quantifiers be intensified with very?
Yes, as in very few candidates passed the final interview.
What is preferred directly before a plain noun in affirmative statements?
A lot of, as in I have a lot of homework rather than I have much homework.
Is much has changed natural?
Yes, because it is used predicatively rather than directly before a noun.