How many Meaning and Definition
How many
Pronunciation
/haʊ ˈmɛni/
Part of Speech
Interrogative phrase
Definition
An interrogative phrase used to request information about the quantity or number of something.
Examples
1. “How many apples do you have in your bag?”
2. “Can you tell me how many people are attending the meeting?”
Synonyms
1. How much
2. What quantity
Antonyms
None
Additional Information
The phrase “how many” is often used in everyday conversations to ask about quantities, numbers, or amounts of things. It can be used in various contexts, such as inquiring about the number of items, asking about quantities, or seeking information about amounts. For example, “How many brothers do you have?” or “Can you tell me how many books are on the shelf?”
In addition to its literal meaning, the phrase “how many” can also be used figuratively to ask about the extent or degree of something. For instance, “How many times have you been to Paris?” or “How many hours does it take to complete the project?”
The phrase “how many” is also commonly used in mathematical and scientific contexts to ask about quantities and amounts. For example, “How many sides does a triangle have?” or “How many electrons are in an atom?”
Etymology
The phrase “how many” has its roots in Old English, where “hū” meant “how” and “mā” meant “many”. The phrase has evolved over time, with the modern English phrase “how many” emerging in the 15th century.
Usage Notes
The phrase “how many” is often used in informal and formal contexts, and can be used in both spoken and written language. However, in formal or technical contexts, more precise language may be used, such as “what is the quantity of” or “what is the number of”.
Cultural References
The phrase “how many” has appeared in various forms of popular culture, such as in music, film, and literature. For example, the phrase is used in the song “How Many” by the band Incubus, and in the film “How Many Fingers Am I Holding Up?”
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
1. “How many beans make five?” (a phrase used to ask someone to guess or estimate a quantity)
2. “How many fingers am I holding up?” (a phrase used to ask someone to guess or estimate a quantity)
Collocations
1. How many people
2. How many times
3. How many hours
Frequency of Use
The phrase “how many” is a common interrogative phrase used in everyday conversations. According to the Corpus of Contemporary American English, the phrase “how many” is used approximately 1.4 times per 1,000 words.
Common Misspellings
1. How meny
2. How maney
3. How meny times