many of them

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'many of them' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a group of people, animals, or things. For example, "The teacher gave the students an assignment and many of them were surprised by its difficulty."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Many of them do".

The New York Times

Many of them defected.

Independent

Lists many of them.

The New Yorker

"So many of them.

The New York Times

Many of them are.

The New York Times

— many of them wrong.

The New Yorker

(Many of them).

The New York Times

Many of them were old.

The Economist

I nursed many of them.

The New Yorker

Many of them are needy.

The New York Times - Sports

Many of them were crying.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "many of them", ensure the referent is clear. The reader should easily understand who or what "them" refers to.

Common error

Avoid using "many of them" if the context doesn't immediately clarify what "them" refers to. This can lead to confusion and weaken your writing. Always make sure it's explicitly or implicitly clear.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "many of them" functions as a pronoun phrase acting as a determiner followed by a pronoun, referring to a previously mentioned group or set. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "many of them" is a versatile pronoun phrase used to denote a significant portion of a group. As Ludwig's examples show, it appears most frequently in news and media contexts but is also found in business and general writing. While grammatically sound and widely accepted, as stated by Ludwig AI, clarity regarding the referent is crucial for effective communication. For more formal settings, consider using more precise quantifiers. By understanding its function, purpose, and potential pitfalls, you can confidently and accurately incorporate "many of them" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

numerous of them

This alternative adds a slightly more formal tone, emphasizing the count.

large part of them

Emphasizes the proportion of the group, rather than just the number.

a significant number of them

Highlights the importance or impact of the quantity.

substantial numbers of them

Focuses on the considerable amount involved.

huge numbers of them

Emphasizes the magnitude of the quantity.

a high number of them

Highlights that the number is above average.

great numbers of them

Similar to 'huge numbers', but slightly less emphatic.

a considerable amount of them

Focuses on the quantity being worthy of consideration.

a large number of them

A more generic alternative, similar in meaning but less nuanced.

a good number of them

Indicates that the quantity is satisfactory or appreciable.

FAQs

How can I use "many of them" in a sentence?

Use "many of them" when referring back to a previously mentioned group. For example, "The applicants were highly qualified; "many of them" had advanced degrees."

What are some alternatives to "many of them"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "numerous of them", "large part of them", or "a significant number of them".

Is it ever incorrect to use "many of them"?

It's generally correct, but avoid it if the referent is unclear or ambiguous. Ensure the "them" is clearly defined within the preceding context. For example, do not use it if it is the first sentence in a paragraph where the 'them' is not defined.

How does "many of them" compare to "several of them"?

"Many of them" implies a larger quantity than "several of them". Use "several of them" when referring to a smaller, less defined group.