many cities

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "many cities" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a large number of urban areas or locations within a specific context. Example: "The festival will take place in many cities across the country, attracting visitors from all over."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Many cities are hurting.

The New York Times

How many cities taken?

The New York Times

Not many cities were circled in red.

The New Yorker

But many cities want to remain whole.

The New York Times

The elections were boycotted in many cities.

The New York Times

The housing market crashed in many cities.

The New York Times

In many cities, gangs roamed the streets.

The New Yorker

In many cities water is rationed.

The Economist

Seventh worst out of how many cities?

The New Yorker

Do many cities have Chicago's problems?

The New York Times - Books

Many cities have a rich folklore.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing "many cities" with a more specific phrase if possible, such as "most major cities" or "several European capitals" for better clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "many cities" without providing context or examples. Saying "Many cities" have high crime rates" without further elaboration is vague and uninformative. Provide specific examples or data to support the statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "many cities" functions as a determiner phrase modifying a noun. It specifies a quantity of urban centers, serving to generalize a statement or observation across multiple locations. Ludwig examples showcase its use in various contexts, highlighting the prevalence of a particular issue or trend across numerous urban areas.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

24%

Wiki

18%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "many cities" is a common and grammatically correct way to refer to a large number of urban areas, as affirmed by Ludwig. It is frequently used across various contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Encyclopedias. When using "many cities", ensure you provide enough context to make your statement clear and informative. If more specificity is needed, consider replacing it with alternatives like "numerous cities" or naming specific locations. According to Ludwig, this phrase is suitable for neutral to professional registers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

numerous cities

Emphasizes a large quantity of cities.

a lot of cities

More informal way of expressing a large quantity.

various cities

Highlights the diversity among the cities.

several cities

Indicates a moderate number of cities.

multiple cities

Focuses on the fact that there's more than one city involved.

many urban areas

Broader term that encompasses metropolitan regions rather than just incorporated cities.

a multitude of cities

Emphasizes an extremely large number.

a number of cities

Indicates an unspecified quantity.

plenty of cities

Informal way to indicate a sufficient number.

quite a few cities

Suggests a noticeable amount.

FAQs

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

You can use "many cities" to refer to a large number of urban areas when discussing a trend, problem, or characteristic they share. For example, "Many cities are implementing sustainable energy policies".

What are some alternatives to using "many cities"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "numerous cities", "various cities", or "several cities".

Is there a difference between "many cities" and "most cities"?

"Many cities" implies a significant number, but not necessarily a majority. "Most cities" suggests that more than half of all cities are being referred to. The choice depends on the specific situation and the information you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "many cities" instead of naming specific cities?

Use "many cities" when you want to make a general statement about a trend or issue affecting urban areas, and naming specific cities isn't necessary or would be too lengthy. However, if specific examples are crucial for your argument, it's better to name those cities.