File 9B. Quantifiers.
A LOT OF
In + sentences native speakers normally use a lot of for big quantities. It is also possible to use a lot of in negatives and questions, although it is more common to use much / many.
We use a lot (NOT a lot of) in short answers or when we don’t give the noun, e.g. I eat a lot of chocolate, but I eat a lot.
(FOR US SPANISH PEOPLE, I THINK IT’S A GOOD IDEA TO CONSIDER THE SPANISH PHRASE UN MONTÓN DE, UN MONTÓN AS THE BETTER EQUIVALENT NOT TO RIGHT A LOT OF IN SHORT ANSWERS)
MUCH / MANY
Much and many are used MAINLY IN NEGATIVE SENTENCES AND QUESTIONS. Many is also sometimes used in + sentences in formal English, e.g. Many people live in houses in the UK. However, MUCH IS NOT NORMALLY USED IN POSITIVE sentences, e.g. NOT British people drink much tea.