The quick answer

Use much with uncountable nouns and many with plural countable nouns, mostly in questions and negatives. Use a lot of with both types in positive sentences. Say How much money? and How many friends?, not How much friends? or How many money?

The rule

Much goes with uncountable nouns: How much time? Many goes with plural countable nouns: How many books? Both are most natural in questions and negative sentences. In positive sentences, a lot of works with both types: She has a lot of friends. He has a lot of money.

A little and a few mean "some, a small but enough amount": a little time, a few friends. Without a, little and few mean "almost none, not enough" — a much more negative meaning: little time (almost no time at all), few friends (almost no friends at all).

Form

Examples

• How many sisters do you have?
• How much money do you need?
• She has a lot of friends.
• I have a little money saved.
• We have few problems left.

Common mistakes

• ❌ How much books? → ✅ How many books? Many goes with countable plural nouns.
• ❌ How many money? → ✅ How much money? Much goes with uncountable nouns.
• ❌ He has much friends. → ✅ He has a lot of friends. A lot of is more natural than much/many in positive sentences.
• ❌ Don't worry, we have few time. → ✅ Don't worry, we have a little time. Without a, few/little sound negative, which contradicts don't worry.