Count things around you and ask about their number.

The idea

Use How many with a plural countable noun, as in How many cups? Use one with a singular noun and larger numbers with plural nouns.

Examples

  • There are three cups on the table.
  • I have two green pencils.
  • How many apples do we need?
  • One bag is under the chair.
  • They have five small boxes.
  • We need four plates for dinner.

Read-aloud uses a synthetic English voice on your device. Quality and availability vary; it does not assess pronunciation.

Watch out

Do not say two book: use two books. The question asks for a number, not a price.

Try it yourself

  1. Choose the number 3. (three / four)

    Show answer or example answer

    three

    three represents the number 3.

  2. Choose the correct phrase. (two books / two book)

    Show answer or example answer

    two books

    two books uses the plural after two.

  3. Ask about a count. (How many bags? / How much is it?)

    Show answer or example answer

    How many bags?

    How many bags? asks for the number of bags.

Use it today

Count some objects in your room and write a question and an answer.