many a large number of people or things – used in everyday English in questions and negative sentences, and after ‘too’ and ‘so’. In formal or written English, you can also use it in other sentences:
There weren’t many people at the meeting. Did you get many birthday presents? Many people voted against the proposal.a lot many.
A lot is less formal than
many and is the usual phrase to use in everyday English:
A lot of tourists visit Venice in the summer. The club has a lot more members now.dozens/hundreds/thousands/millions many – used when you cannot be exact but the number is two dozen or more, two hundred or more etc:
At least five people died and dozens more were injured in a gas explosion. They’ve wasted thousands of pounds on the project.a large number of written a lot of a particular type of person or thing:
China plans to build a large number of nuclear power plants.numerous formal many – used especially when saying that something has happened many times:
We’ve contacted him on numerous occasions. Numerous studies have shown a link between smoking and lung cancer.countless/innumerable /ɪˈnjuːm
ərəb
əl $ ɪˈnuː-/
[only before noun] many – used when it is impossible to count or imagine how many.
Innumerable is more formal than
countless:
He spent countless hours in the gym. They had been given innumerable warnings.a host of many – used especially when something seems surprising or impressive:
Age is the biggest risk factor in a host of diseases. People leave jobs for a whole host of reasons.a raft of many – used especially when talking about ideas, suggestions, changes in business or politics:
The report made a raft of recommendations. The new government is planning a whole raft of changes.quite a few especially spoken a fairly large number of people or things:
We’ve had quite a few problems with the software. I’ve met quite a few of his friends.lots informal many:
I’ve invited lots of people. ‘How many cats has she got?’ ‘Lots!’tons/loads informal many – a very informal use:
I’ve got tons of books. Have a strawberry – there are loads here. [TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲
several more than a few people or things, but not a large number:
She’s been to Japan several times. I’ve read several of his books.a number of something several.
A number of sounds more formal than
several:
We have received a number of complaints about last night’s programme. There are a number of different airlines to choose from.quite a few several – used when emphasizing that there are rather a lot of people, things etc.
Quite a few sounds more informal than
several and is more commonly used in spoken English:
Quite a few people were already in the pool. She made quite a few enemies. It took him quite a few days to make up his mind. [TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲