many */*/*/

UK [ˈmenɪ] / US adverb, determiner, predeterminer, pronoun
Word forms "many":
comparative more UK [mɔː(r)] / US [mɔr] superlative most UK [məʊst] / US [moʊst]

Summary:

Many can be used in the following ways: - as a determiner (followed by a plural noun): It happened many years ago. ♦ How many children have you? - as a pronoun: "Did he write any other books?" "Not many." (followed by "of"): Many of you will be going on to university. - as a predeterminer (followed by the indefinite article "a" and a singular noun): We shall not see each other again for many a long day. - as an adjective (after a word such as "the", "his", or "these", and followed by a noun): He said goodbye to his many friends. - as a noun in the phrase the many: The few who behave badly spoil the enjoyment of the many.
Collocations:
Many, a lot, and lots can be used for referring to a large number of things or people. In ordinary spoken English many is mainly used in negative sentences and in questions. It is also used in positive sentences after "too", "so", or "as": We didn't sell many tickets. ♦ Were there many children in the audience? ♦ You're trying to do too many things at once. In positive statements a lot of is usually used instead of many: A lot of people don't like the new law. In written English and in formal spoken English many is used in sentences of all types. It is more formal than a lot of: Many disabled people regularly use public transport. In informal English, lots of is often used instead of a lot of: Lots of people get divorced these days.

a) a large number of people, things, places etc

Did you get many responses to your advertisement?

I haven't told many people that I am pregnant.

I've been to their house many times.

In many cases workers were being employed without a written contract.

Dervla Murphy's latest book describes her many adventures in Nepal.

The news will bring joy to many.

many of:

Many of the world's leading doctors have been trained here in Edinburgh.

too many:

There are too many rules and regulations.

a good many (= a fairly large number):

We've lived here for a good many years.

many many (= a very large number):

It all happened many many years ago.

a great many (= a very large number):

He was asked a great many questions and answered them all.

not very many (= only a few):

Not very many companies can afford the high cost of introducing new technology.

many a (= more than a few):

No doubt she had many a tale to tell of the old days.

many hundreds/thousands/millions:

Many thousands of animals died in the floods.

so many:

The scientists have been proved wrong so many times that people no longer believe them.

b) the many the majority of people

I don't see why the many should suffer because of the few idiots who cause trouble.

•

as many ... (as) — a number equal to a particular number of people, things etc

as many ... (as) as:

Jason has a lot of friends, but I think I have as many as him.

as many something as:

They try to interview as many candidates as possible.

half/twice/three times etc as many:

This year we had twice as many visitors as in previous years.

in as many days/weeks/games etc — in the same number of days, weeks, games etc

Last season Carlos scored twelve goals in as many games.

many's the time/day etc (that) — used for saying that something has happened often in the past

Many's the night I've walked back late from town.

- as many as

- how many

See:

one, word I