this many books, these many books

joham · #1 (**permalink**) 14-Nov-2007, 13:44

Martin Hewings says in his ADVANCED GRAMMAR IN USE (UINT69):

We can use much and many with this and that as in:
I've never had this much money before.

I searched the DICTIONARY.COM web pages and found 652 results for "this many books" and 162 results of "these many books".

Are both phrases right? Thank you.

**Anglika** · #2 (**permalink**) 14-Nov-2007, 14:13

Both are correct.

This many books is what the shelf will hold - specifies that a particular number of books can be housed.

These many books are what we need for the class - specifies that a multiple number of books are required.


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