A second exercise on much and many, covering more varied and challenging sentence contexts. If you haven't done exercise 1 yet, start there for the core rules. This exercise also includes some cases where much or many functions as a pronoun (without a noun following).
Grammar reviewMuch and many as pronouns
You already know that much goes with uncountable nouns and many goes with countable ones. This exercise also includes cases where neither word is directly followed by a noun.
Much and many as standalone pronouns:
Both words can stand alone when the noun is understood from context. So much has already been said about this topic. (= so much [of it]) There are many others who share your view. (= many [people]) We understand that many of the workers need support.
Care for / not care much for: I don’t care much for loud music. is a fixed expression meaning “I don’t really like”. Here much modifies the verb, not a noun.
Giving thought: He hasn’t given this much thought. — here thought is used as an uncountable noun meaning “consideration”.
Strategy for this exercise: First identify whether there’s a noun being modified. If so, is it countable or uncountable? If there’s no noun, think about what category of things is being referred to.
READY TO PRACTICE? LET’S GO!
1. We've tried to call him times.✓
2. Don't put so sugar in your tea!✓
3. There wasn't interest in the new product.✓
4. There have been cases like this one.✓
5. Patrick doesn't drink too milk.✓
6. Diane has read books this year.✓
7. How rice is left?✓
8. How Coke do you normally drink?✓
9. people in this region speak German.✓
10. My sister doesn't drink water.✓
11. The teacher doesn't spend time explaining the answers.✓
12. We need types of fruit to make a fruit salad.✓
13. I don't care for ( = I don't really like) arrogant people.✓
14. So has already been written about this.✓
15. David hasn't given this thought.✓
16. We understand that of the workers need more money.✓
17. He's not a very innovative writer. There are others who write just like him.✓
18. There's really not we can do.✓
19. Robert fed of the cats in his neighborhood.✓
20. Because of the bad weather, flights are going to be delayed.✓