very many

USAGE SUMMARY

'very many' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to emphasize that a large number of something exists. For example, "He has very many friends."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But not very many.

The New Yorker

"There's not very many".

The New York Times - Sports

They told very many stories.

The New Yorker

There are not very many.

The New York Times - Sports

"Not very many," she said.

Independent

Very many thanks.

University of California, Berkeley

Not very many people.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Not very many - three.

The New York Times

"Well, not very many".

The Guardian

Very many did".

The New York Times

Not very many teachers.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "very many" to emphasize a large quantity, especially when referring to countable items. For example, "There are "very many" reasons to be optimistic."

Common error

While grammatically correct, "very many" can sound less sophisticated in formal writing. Consider using alternatives like "numerous" or "a great number" for a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "very many" functions as a determiner, specifically a quantifier, used to indicate a large quantity of countable nouns. Ludwig confirms this usage through numerous examples across various sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "very many" is a phrase used to denote a large quantity of countable items. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct and widely used across various sources. While acceptable in most contexts, it can sometimes be replaced with more formal alternatives like "numerous" or "a great number" in academic or professional writing. Its frequency is high, particularly in news and media, making it a common and easily understood way to express quantity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a great number

Uses "number" instead of "many", focusing on a countable quantity.

numerous

A more formal adjective emphasizing abundance.

a large amount

Suitable for uncountable nouns, unlike "very many".

a multitude

Implies a vast and often disorganized quantity.

countless

Emphasizes that the number is too high to count.

a plethora

Suggests an excessive amount, sometimes implying overabundance.

quite a few

A more informal way to indicate a significant number.

a good deal

Suitable when referring to an abstract quantity.

lots of

A very informal and common alternative.

an abundance

Highlights the plentiful nature of something.

FAQs

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

"Very many" is used to describe a large quantity of countable items. For example, "Very many people attended the concert."

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

"Very many" is used with countable nouns (e.g., "very many books"), while "very much" is used with uncountable nouns (e.g., "very much water") or to modify verbs (e.g., "I appreciate it very much").

What can I say instead of "very many"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "numerous", "a great number of", or "a multitude of".

Is it more appropriate to use "very many" or "so many"?

Both are acceptable, but "so many" can sometimes imply a stronger emotional response or surprise about the quantity, while "very many" is generally more neutral in tone. Consider which nuance fits your context best.