how many

• Frase interrogativa determinante usada para perguntar a quantidade, o número ou a frequência de substantivos contáveis no plural.

An interrogative determiner phrase used with plural countable nouns to ask about number, quantity, or frequency. Note: 'How many' is a phrase consisting of the interrogative adverb 'how' + the determiner 'many'. It functions as a complex determiner phrase modifying plural countable nouns.

1. Interrogative determiner (quantity/number)A1formal

   Used before plural countable nouns in questions to ask about the exact or approximate number of items or people.

   Determinante interrogativo (quantidade/número)

   • How many students are in your class?
   • How many apples did you buy?
   • How many pages are in this book?

2. Interrogative determiner (frequency)A2formal

   Used to ask about the number of times an action occurs or the regularity of an event, often paired with time-related nouns.

   Determinante interrogativo (frequência)

   • How many times have you visited Paris?
   • How many days a week do you exercise?
   • How many occasions did this happen?

3. Interrogative determiner (comparison/distribution)B1formal

   Used to inquire about proportions, ratios, or the distribution of countable items across groups or categories.

   Determinante interrogativo (comparação/distribuição)

   • How many players are on each team?
   • How many votes did each candidate receive?
   • How many sections are divided equally?

4. Pronominal usage (standalone)A1informal

   Used without a following noun to ask about an unspecified countable quantity. The noun is implied by context. (Note: This functions pronominally but is directly derived from the determiner phrase).

   Uso pronominal (independente)

   • How many do you need?
   • I don't know how many to invite.
   • How many of them are coming?