many of

USAGE SUMMARY

"many of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a large number from a group: "Many of the students had to stay after school for detention."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Not many of us.

Independent

Many of you did.

The New York Times

Many of them do".

The New York Times

Seeing many of you.

Independent

Many of you do".

The New Yorker

Many of the above?

The New York Times

(Many of them).

The New York Times

Many of us do.

The New York Times

Lists many of them.

The New Yorker

"So many of them.

The New York Times

Many of them are.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "many of" when referring to a specific group or set of items where you want to emphasize the quantity. For example, "Many of the students excelled in the exam."

Common error

Avoid using a singular verb when the subject is "many of" followed by a plural noun. For example, instead of "Many of the books is interesting", use "Many of the books are interesting."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "many of" functions as a determiner, specifically a quantifier. It indicates a large number or proportion of a particular group or set. According to Ludwig, this phrase is used correctly in the provided examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "many of" is a versatile determiner used to indicate a significant quantity within a specific group. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is grammatically correct and prevalent across various contexts, particularly in news and media. When using "many of", remember to ensure subject-verb agreement and choose alternative expressions like "a lot of" or "numerous" for stylistic variation. Keep in mind that is followed by a definite article (the), a possessive pronoun (my, your, his, her, its, our, their), or a demonstrative pronoun (this, that, these, those) before a plural noun.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a lot of

This alternative uses simpler and more informal language to indicate a large quantity.

a large number of

This alternative emphasizes the size of the quantity or count being discussed.

quite a few

This phrase is slightly less direct and can imply a moderate number.

a good number of

This option conveys a substantial quantity, emphasizing that the amount is significant.

numerous

This is a more formal and concise way to express a large quantity or number.

substantial amount of

This emphasizes the considerable quantity, often used for uncountable nouns or abstract concepts.

plenty of

This suggests an abundance or more than enough of something.

several

This indicates more than two, but generally fewer than "many of".

significant portion of

This implies that a considerable part or percentage is being discussed, shifting focus to proportion.

a majority of

This suggests that more than half of a group or set is being referred to.

FAQs

How do I use "many of" in a sentence?

"Many of" is followed by a definite article (the), a possessive pronoun (my, your, his, her, its, our, their), or a demonstrative pronoun (this, that, these, those) before a plural noun. For example, "Many of the books are interesting" or "Many of our friends enjoy hiking".

What words can I use instead of "many of"?

You can use alternatives like "a lot of", "quite a few", or "numerous" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "many of the"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. "Many of the" is used to refer to a specific group of items or people. For example, "Many of the attendees were late."

What is the difference between "many" and "many of"?

"Many" is used before a plural noun to indicate a large quantity in general, while "many of" is used before a determiner (like "the", "these", "my") followed by a plural noun to refer to a specific group. For example, "Many people enjoy music" versus "Many of the people in this room enjoy music".