not many

USAGE SUMMARY

"not many" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when making a comparison between two or more quantities. For example, "She had not many friends at the party."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Not many.

The New York Times - Arts

(Not many, though).

Independent

Not many people, honestly.

The New York Times

Not many rallies.

The New York Times

(Not many did).

The New Yorker

Not many have left.

The New York Times - Sports

Not many people do.

The Economist

Not many people did.

The New Yorker

"But perhaps not many".

Independent

Not many of us.

Independent

"Not many," Andy said.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not many" when you want to emphasize the lack of a significant quantity, but avoid overusing it in close proximity to other similar phrases for stylistic variation.

Common error

Ensure that you use "not many" followed by a plural noun. For example, say "not many people", not "not many person".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not many" functions as a determiner, specifically a quantifier, indicating a small number or amount of something. Ludwig examples show it modifying plural nouns, such as "people", "designers", or "rallies". According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not many" is a versatile and grammatically sound quantifier used to indicate a limited quantity or number. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and common in written English, particularly in news and media contexts. When using "not many", remember to follow it with a plural noun and consider stylistic alternatives like "few" or "a small number" to avoid repetition. By keeping these best practices in mind, you can effectively use "not many" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

few

A simpler and more concise way to express a small quantity.

very few

Adds emphasis to the small quantity.

only a few

Highlights the select and limited nature of the quantity.

a small number

Replaces "not many" with a more direct statement of quantity.

not a lot

A more informal way to express a small quantity.

hardly any

Emphasizes the scarcity or lack of something.

scarcely any

Similar to "hardly any", stressing the limited presence.

a handful

Implies a very small, easily countable quantity.

not so much

Indicates a limited amount or degree.

a minority

Indicates that the quantity is less than half of the total.

FAQs

How can I use "not many" in a sentence?

You can use "not many" to indicate a small quantity or number of something. For example, "Not many people attended the event".

What are some alternatives to saying "not many"?

Alternatives to "not many" include "few", "a small number", or "hardly any". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "not much" instead of "not many"?

While both phrases express a limited quantity, "not much" is typically used with uncountable nouns (e.g., "not much time"), whereas "not many" is used with countable nouns (e.g., "not many books").

What's the difference between "not many" and "few"?

"Few" and "not many" are often interchangeable, but "few" can sometimes imply a more negative connotation or a sense of disappointment compared to "not many". For example, saying "Few people came" might express more disappointment than "Not many people came".