An Encylopedia Britannica Company
Ask the Editor

How Much or How Many?

Question
Which is correct: How much exercise do you do? or How many exercise do you do? — Win, Indonesia
Answer

The usage of 'much' and 'many' depends on whether the noun it modifies is a count noun or a noncount noun (read about these types of nouns here).

Use 'much' with noncount nouns and use 'many' with count nouns.

In the example sentence, 'exercise' is a noncount noun so you should use 'much':

  • How much exercise do you do?

 

Below are more examples showing how to use 'much' and 'many.'

  • How much juice would you like? ['juice' is a noncount noun]
  • I have too many trinkets. ['trinkets' is a count noun]
  • She bought so much potting soil for her garden.
  • They gave us many books.
  • Don’t watch too much television.
  • Don’t eat too many cookies--leave some for others!
  • How many dogs do you have?
  • How much housework do you need to do today?
  • How many chores do you need to do today?

 

I hope this helps.

 

Archive
You can read more articles in the archive.