Much and many talk about quantities. They are usually used in questions and negative sentences:
Is there much milk in the fridge?
There isn't much we can do.
How much time have we got?
Are there many students in that English class?
There weren't many ducks in the park.
How many stars can you see in the sky?
In affirmative sentences, we usually prefer "a lot (of)" or "lots (of)":
There were a lot of / lots of people in the shops today.
There's a lot of / lots of smoke coming from that building.
All these words can also be used as pronouns:
"How much money have you got?" "Not much."
"Have you had many biscuits?" "No, not many."
"Are there many things to do at that beach?" "Yes, lots / a lot".
Much can be used as an adjective and adverb:
There isn't much water left.
Have you done much English homework?
I didn't do much today. I felt so tired.
It was raining but not very much.
Much is used with uncountable nouns and many with countable nouns in the plural:
There isn't much butter in the fridge.
Some people live without* much hope.
Are there many eggs in the fridge?
There are never* many people on this beach.
*Without, never are used with much / many here as they are considered a negative words.
A lot and lots can be used with countable or uncountable nouns:
A lot of / lots of dolphins followed our boat.
We'll have a lot of / lots of time for sightseeing after the conference.
Also see how much? and how many?...
The word "lot(s)" is usually used for informal or conversational English. When we want to speak or write more formally, we can use much and many in affirmative sentences:
Much has been said about the changes in the use of English grammar. (adverb)
We gave the problem much thought before taking a decision. (adjective)
In the opinion of many experts, society must implement important changes to combat global warming.
Expressions like, a fair / good / great deal of (uncountable) and a large number of (countable) can also be used for more formal expression:
There has been a great deal of trouble in the Middle East recently.
A fair deal of bad weather will cross the country today.
A large number of vehicles were involved in the accident.
Much, many, lots and a lot are used in front of comparatives to talk about larger quantities. In the comparative, much, many as well as a lot, lots are used in affirmative sentences:
It's much hotter today than yesterday.
It's much more attractive now you've painted it.
There are a lot / lots more people here this year.
We haven't got many more flowers in our garden - despite the rain.
Much and many are very usual in affirmative sentences when they follow so, very (very is more common in front of much as an adverb), as, (comparatives of equality) or too (a lot and lots are not possible with these words):
I've got so much to do and I haven't got much time.
There are so many good things in life.
There are very many people on the beach today.*
There was very much work to be done.*
We would like to thank you very much.
I enjoyed the film very much.
He needs as much help as he can get.
I haven't got as many problems as she has.
Too much has been said already.
There are too many people at this party.
*These structures are unusual. Instead of very many people English prefers a great many people or a large number of people. Instead of very much work, we prefer a great deal of work.
Remember that too + much, many or adjective, adverb refers to a "problem" (it does not just mean "a lot"):
He's got a lot of money in the bank but he works too much to enjoy it.
There's too much noise in here. I'm leaving.
There were too many people on the beach. We had no room to sit.
In the structure too + other adjective / adverb, much does not follow too:
These trousers are too small. I can't get them on. (Not too much small.)
He drives too quickly. One day he'll have an accident. (Not too much quickly.)
A lot (of) can replace much / many in negatives and questions:
There isn't a lot / much I can do.
Are there a lot of / many students in the class?
Only a lot (and not, lots/much/many) can be used in exclamations with what:
What a lot of clothes you've bought!
Lots (of) can be used in negatives and questions too but usually when there is more emphasis on "a large quantity":
Have you got lots of money on you? We're going to need it!
Well, I haven't got lots of time but I could help you for two or three hours.
Of course, how much / how many type questions cannot take lots / a lot:
How much how a lot work have you done today?
Also see how much? and how many?...
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