Please help me with this sentence. much/ many or any is the right word?
“I know your center has much/any/many equipment?”
***** NOT A TEACHER *****
Hello, Son:
“I know (that) your center has ____ equipment.” (No question mark.) (“That” is not necessary in conversation; it is nice to have in writing but not necessary.)
“Equipment” is a non-count noun. That is, there is no plural. So you need “MUCH”: much equipment, much traffic, much news, etc.
“Many” is for count nouns: many appleS, many studentS, many websiteS, etc.
“Any” is for questions and the negative: “Does your center have any equipment?”; “No, our center does not have any equipment.”
By the way, I think that it is more natural to say, “I know (that) your center has A LOT OF equipment.”
Have a nice day!
James
Very well explained, James, as usual. You are really a trendsetter in this regard. I used to point out even punctuational inappropriateness. (But not much, these days.) By doing so I would confirm (if not refuted) that my own concept conformed to that of the natives or to the standard usage.
Thank you very much
I thank you, Son, for your courteous note.
I think, Anglophile, that your students are very lucky to have such a conscientious teacher.
James
Thank you, James, for your sincere remark. Unfortunately it may not be relished by all. In most of the cases we are like-minded. Even the Gen Z students and teachers enjoy what we discuss, and many of them are unable to believe that you are not a teacher. The way you explain, the way you differ and the way you persist, they say, can be emulative for the best teachers, amidst the incredibly envious, intolerably obstinate, unbearably chaotic and egregiously clamorous prattle cropping up now and then. They also say ignorance is bliss while ignoring is ‘blessing’. It’s thrilling and meaningful to continue the conversational relationship between those who can understand, regard and respect each other. I do agree. Bye, James.