as many as

USAGE SUMMARY

"as many as" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are trying to compare the number of two groups or things. For example: "My brother has as many pets as I do."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

As many as 10.

The New York Times - Magazine

"Not as many as most".

The New York Times - Magazine

Twice as many as before.

The New Yorker

Not as many as wanted to, anyway.

The New Yorker

(Some cabins sleep as many as 64).

The New York Times

Have as many as you need.

The New Yorker

They trailed by as many as 21.

The New York Times - Sports

Now he uses as many as 40.

The New York Times - Food

As many as 100,000 were sold.

The New York Times - Sports

As many as forty-four people died.

The New Yorker

As many as six have been lost.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "as many as", ensure that the comparison is clear and that both quantities being compared are specified or easily understood from the context.

Common error

Avoid using "as many as" with non-countable nouns. Instead, use "as much as". For example, say "as much water as possible" instead of "as many water as possible".

How to use

Learn how to use "as many as" with practical examples and tips.

How to use

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "as many as" is as a quantifier phrase used for comparison. It indicates that one quantity is equal to or greater than another. As stated by Ludwig AI, it's used "when you are trying to compare the number of two groups or things".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Wiki

24%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Science

7%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as many as" is a versatile comparative phrase used to indicate the number of countable items. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in English. It's crucial to use it with countable nouns and to ensure clarity in comparisons. While it appears across different registers, it's most frequently found in news and media sources. Alternatives like "up to" and "at least" can be used depending on the context. Remember to avoid using it with non-countable nouns, where "as much as" is more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as much as

This alternative emphasizes the quantity of something that is not countable, rather than the number of individual items.

up to

This alternative implies a maximum limit or threshold, rather than a direct comparison.

no less than

This alternative emphasizes a surprisingly high quantity, often with an element of emphasis or surprise.

at least

This alternative indicates a minimum quantity or threshold, and can be used to show the minimum expectation.

a large number of

This alternative is a general way to refer to a substantial quantity without specifying a precise comparison.

a great deal of

While it normally applies to an uncountable, it can still be used, if unusual, as a synonym that highlight intensity.

numerous

This alternative is a formal way to indicate a large quantity or amount.

a multitude of

This alternative suggests a very large and diverse collection of things.

plenty of

This alternative suggests an abundance or sufficient quantity of something.

a considerable number of

This alternative indicates a substantial and noteworthy quantity.

FAQs

How can I use "as many as" in a sentence?

Use "as many as" to compare the number of countable items. For instance, "He ate as many apples as he could hold."

What phrases can I use instead of "as many as"?

You can use phrases like "up to", "at least", or "a large number of" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "as many than"?

No, the correct phrase is "as many as". The word "than" is used in comparative sentences, such as: "I have more books than he has."

What's the difference between "as many as" and "as much as"?

"As many as" is used with countable nouns (e.g., "as many cars as possible"), while "as much as" is used with non-countable nouns (e.g., "as much water as possible").