HOME / GRAMMAR EXERCISES / MUCH OR A LOT OF? 1

Topic: MUCH / A LOT OF 1 | level: Intermediate (B1-B2)

Choose whether each sentence requires much, a lot of, or if both can be used.
Example: He didn't show _______________ (much/a lot of/both) interest in the proposal. → both

TOP TIP! THE PROBLEM WITH 'MUCH', 'MANY', 'A LOT OF' exercises...

The problem with grammar exercises on many, much, and a lot of is that many and a lot of are often interchangeable, especially with plural countable nouns. This makes some questions ambiguous.

Examples:
Many people like coffee.
A lot of people like coffee.
(Both are correct.)

The difference is usually style, not grammar:
Many → more formal, common in questions and negatives
A lot of → informal, very common in spoken English

In affirmative sentences, a lot of often sounds more natural:
A lot of students live near the university.
Many students live near the university. (correct but more formal)
So if an exercise says:
“___ students passed the exam.”
Both answers are correct unless the context specifies formality. Without clear context, such exercises test guessing rather than grammar.

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