While you could certainly get the gist of your meaning across with improper grammar, this can reflect poorly on you and your company. Having good grammar is paramount for establishing and maintaining a professional image and the respect of your colleagues.
Some time back, we discussed the difference between “less” and “fewer.” Both of these terms refer to having a smaller quantity of something, but they cannot be used interchangeably. In similar manner, there is a difference between how you use “much” and “many.” These sound similar, but you cannot use them interchangeably.
Thankfully, the rules for choosing between “much” and “many” are very similar to the ones you’d use for choosing between “less” and “fewer.”
MUCH is used when modifying nouns (items, objects, people, etc.) that are typically uncountable or not typically counted. For instance, you could achieve much success in your life. It would not make sense to say that you have achieved three successes, because the noun “success” is not quantifiable.
MANY is used when modifying nouns that are countable. It would make sense to say that I review many gadgets as part of my freelance writing work. This is because it is possible to count the number of gadgets. It would not be appropriate to say that I review much gadgets.
It is not a matter of singulars and plurals, since both “much” and “many” are used to modify plural nouns. If you are having trouble understanding the difference between the two, remember the strategy that I described when discussing less and fewer. Put a number in front of the noun in question. If it makes sense with the number, use many. If it sounds wrong, use much. Three phones makes sense, so you could say many phones (and not much phones).
Do you have a suggestion for another Grammar 101 post? Let me know through Twitter or the comment form below.
Much thanks! 😉
I wonder when the use of “success” as quantifiable noun became obsolete. One of the definitions for success was outcome, or desirable income. For example, you could have many military successes. You could have three military successes.
There was also the use of the term to describe a person. You could say that Donald Trump is a success. You could have a room full of successful people and say that it was a room full of successes.
Thank you muchly!
I say that a lot. “Thanks much”, as well. Is that wrong? Or is it just slang?
“Thank you very much.” Since that is perfectly acceptable, I’d say that “Thanks much” is equally acceptable, albeit on a more casual level. The first time I heard “thank you muchly” was in Animal Crossing. Muchly is not a word. 😉
Muchly can be a word if we keep using it and get it to catch on. 😉
Muchly, could become part of the lexicon if it was used like Rachel Ray has used EVOO or Sammie for her food.
Not that I see a use for any of it, every year a catch work that someone coins and everyone wants to use. As humans we are just too influenced by PR.
I could see a post on to / too / two being useful as well as there / their. I see both of these confused all the time online, even on some ‘professional’ sites.