many
/ˈmen.i/ (bre, ipa) · [mˈɛni] /ˈmen.i/ (ame, ipa) · [mˈɛni] /ˈme-nē/ (ame, mw)
many — 限定詞
1. placed before a plural noun to say there is a big quantity of people or things.
許多；很多
用於複數名詞前，表示數量很大
placed before a plural noun to say there is a big quantity of people or things. This word shows up often in questions like 'how many…?', in negative sentences with 'not many', and joined with modifiers such as 'too,' 'so,' or 'as.'
Not many people came to the meeting last night.
昨晚沒有很多人來參加會議。
not many + plural noun in negative
How many books did Valentina read this summer?
Valentina 今年夏天讀了多少本書？
how many + plural noun in question
There are too many cars on the roads in Taipei.
臺北路上的車子太多了。
Obi has as many toys as his older brother.
Obi 的玩具和他哥哥一樣多。
Mei-Lin does not have many friends in this city yet, but she enjoys clinic work.
Mei-Lin 在這個城市還沒有很多朋友，但她很喜歡診所的工作。
- few
used with countable nouns to mean a small number
文法句型
many + plural noun
not many + plural noun
how many + plural noun + ?
too many + plural noun
so many + plural noun
as many + plural noun + as
用法筆記
In everyday affirmative statements, 'a lot of' or 'lots of' are more common than 'many' in informal English. 'Many' is preferred in formal writing and in negative and question forms.
常見錯誤
2. used with a singular noun and a singular verb to talk about a large number of pe
一個又一個
後接單數名詞，表示逐一考量的多數
used with a singular noun and a singular verb to talk about a large number of people or things, where each one is thought of separately. This construction is more common in formal or literary English.
Many a student has failed the university's rigorous entrance exam.
不知多少學生沒通過這間大學嚴格的入學考試。
many a + singular noun + singular verb
Nellie has spent many a late night studying for her tests.
Nellie 為了準備考試熬過好幾個深夜。
Many a child has learned to swim in this lake.
不知有多少孩子是在這個湖裡學會游泳的。
The old theatre has seen many a wonderful performance.
這間老戲院見證過無數場精彩的演出。
- numerous
more formal; 'many a' is a literary construction while 'numerous' works in standard formal prose
文法句型
many a + singular noun + singular verb
用法筆記
The verb after 'many a + singular noun' is always singular, even though the meaning is plural. This is a fixed grammatical pattern that does not follow normal subject-verb agreement rules.
常見錯誤
many — 代名詞
1. used instead of a plural noun phrase to point to many people or things that list
許多人事物
代替複數名詞，指大量的人或事物
used instead of a plural noun phrase to point to many people or things that listeners already know about from earlier talk or the situation.
Many of the students said the test was too hard.
許多學生都說這次考試太難了。
many of + noun phrase + verb
Vivek invited many of his classmates to the party.
Vivek 邀請了許多同學參加他的派對。
How many of your classmates do you think will attend the graduation party?
你覺得你的同學裡有多少人會來參加畢業派對？
Not many of the old buildings were saved from the fire.
那些老建築沒有幾棟從火災中被搶救下來。
Some people liked the film, but many found it boring.
有些人喜歡這部電影，但很多人覺得它很無聊。
- few
used as a pronoun to mean a small number
文法句型
many of + noun phrase + plural verb
many + plural verb
not many + plural verb
用法筆記
When 'many' is used alone as a pronoun (without 'of'), the referent must be clear from the context. In affirmative sentences, 'a lot' or 'lots' are more common in informal speech.
2. used with a plural verb to mean most people in general, without referring to a s
大多數人
表達大眾的普遍看法或行為
used with a plural verb to mean most people in general, without referring to a specific group that was mentioned before.
Many believe that studying a second language can open doors in life.
很多人相信學習第二語言能為人生打開機會。
many as general subject meaning 'most people'
Many feel that the city of Taipei should spend more on public parks.
很多人認為臺北市政府應該在公園上花更多錢。
As many have noted, moving to a new country requires patience.
正如許多人所言，搬到一個新的國家需要耐心。
Many would agree that walking for thirty minutes each day improves your health.
很多人都會同意每天走路三十分鐘有益健康。
- most people
more explicit and less formal
- the majority
more formal, often used in political or statistical contexts
- few
as a general reference, means only a small number of people
文法句型
many + plural verb + that-clause
用法筆記
Distinguish from the first pronoun sense (LARGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE/THINGS): this sense does not refer back to a specific group. It is a general statement about what most people think or do.
many — 形容詞
- manypositive
- maniercomparative
- maniestsuperlative
1. existing in or forming a number that is large, without saying exactly how large.
眾多；大量
數量很多的
existing in or forming a number that is large, without saying exactly how large.
Sumin has visited many countries in Southeast Asia.
Sumin 去過東南亞的許多國家。
The museum attracts many visitors from all over the world every weekend.
這間博物館每個週末都吸引很多遊客。
In many ways, this small fishing village feels like the town I grew up in.
在很多方面，這個小漁村感覺就像我小時候長大的小鎮。
The nurse has many years of experience with children.
那位護理師有多年照顧兒童的經驗。
The shelter provides warm meals for many homeless families every evening.
這個庇護所每晚為許多無家可歸的家庭提供熱騰騰的餐點。
文法句型
many + plural noun
in many + noun
用法筆記
As an adjective, 'many' comes before the noun it describes (attributive position). It is not usually used after a linking verb like 'be'; instead, speakers say 'there are many...' or 'the numbers are large.'
2. being one individual among a large group of similar people or things.
眾多之一
作為眾多同類中的一個
being one individual among a large group of similar people or things.
Mira is one of many talented musicians at the school.
Mira 是學校裡眾多才華洋溢的音樂人之一。
one of many + plural noun
This is just one reason among many for choosing renewable energy.
這只是選擇再生能源的眾多理由之一。
Rodrigo is one of many volunteers who helped build the park.
Rodrigo 是幫忙建造公園的眾多志工之一。
Dr. Okafor is one among many scientists who study the effects of climate change.
Okafor 博士是研究氣候變遷影響的眾多科學家之一。
- countless
stronger emphasis on too many to count
- innumerable
very formal, literary register
文法句型
one of many + plural noun
用法筆記
This sense always appears in the pattern 'one of many' or 'among many,' where 'many' describes the size of the group that something belongs to.
many — 名詞
1. a large but not exactly counted number of people or things, used in fixed phrase
大量
不特定的龐大數量
a large but not exactly counted number of people or things, used in fixed phrases like 'the many,' 'a good many,' and 'a great many.'
A good many of the trees fell during the storm.
暴風雨中倒了一大片樹木。
a good many of + noun phrase
The event drew a great many visitors from nearby towns.
這場活動吸引了附近城鎮大量的遊客。
a great many + plural noun
Trang collected a good many seashells on the beach.
Trang 在沙灘上撿了為數不少的貝殼。
The many who signed up for the race surprised the staff.
報名參加比賽的眾多人數讓工作人員很驚訝。
- few
small number, used in 'the few' as a contrasting noun phrase
文法句型
the many + of + noun phrase
a good many + of + noun phrase
a great many + of + noun phrase
用法筆記
As a noun, 'many' almost always appears in the fixed phrases 'a good many,' 'a great many,' or 'the many.' It is not used alone as a countable noun like 'a number' — you cannot say '*a many of people.'
常見錯誤
2. the largest group of people in a society or situation, viewed as a whole. Used e
多數人
社會中的絕大多數人
the largest group of people in a society or situation, viewed as a whole. Used especially in contrast with 'the few.'
The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few, the senator argued.
參議員主張，多數人的需求應優先於少數人的需求。
the many contrasted with the few
The many should not lose their jobs because of the mistakes of a few managers.
多數人不該因為少數經理的錯誤而失去工作。
In a democracy, the will of the many is reflected through fair elections.
在民主社會中，多數人的意願透過公平選舉來體現。
The new healthcare policy was designed to benefit the many, not just the wealthy few.
這項新健保政策是為了造福多數人，而不只是少數有錢人。
- the majority
more common in everyday English
- the masses
refers to ordinary people as a group; can have a political tone
- the few
the small minority, used in direct contrast with 'the many'
文法句型
the many + plural verb
用法筆記
This noun sense is almost always used in the fixed pairing 'the many...the few' in political, social, or ethical discussions. It is a formal construction and rarely appears in everyday conversation.