Much - Many - A Lot Of

All the three words refer to quantity. However, usage varies according to the type of statement and nouns. The following table is the summary.

For example:

•    They have a lot of money.

(“Money” is uncountable noun, and it is in the affirmative statement; therefore, “a lot of” can be used.)

•    I don’t have much/a lot of money.

(“Money” is uncountable noun, and it is in the negative statement; therefore, either “a lot of” or “much” can be used.)

•    There are many/a lot of students in class.

(“Student” is countable noun, and it is in the affirmative statement; therefore, either “many” or “a lot of” can be used.)

•    There aren’t many/a lot of students in class. (“Student” is countable noun, and it is in the negative statement; therefore, either “many” or “a lot of” can be used.)

Some / Any

We can use some and any with both countable and uncountable nouns.
Countable nouns must be made plural when preceded by some or any. For example:

• Are there any students in the classroom?

• There are some students in the classroom.

Uncountable nouns remain singular when preceded by some or any.

• Is there any juice in the fridge?

• There is some juice in the fridge.

Basic uses of some and any

                       Some                                                                Any
1. Affirmatives: I bought some books.           1. Negatives: I didn’t buy any books.
2. Requests: May I have some coffee?           2. General questions:  Do we have any paper left?
3. Offers: Would you like some tea?              3. “No matter who or what”: Any student can do it.