much

Meanings

1. 1determinerbefore a noun

   A large amount of something that cannot be counted, used before uncountable nouns.

   Grammar: Used mainly in questions and negatives with uncountable nouns: not much time, but a lot of time in positive sentences.

   Patterns

   • much + uncountable noun
   • how much something
   • too much something

   We don't have much time before the train leaves.

   How much water should I add to the mix?

   There was too much noise to concentrate.

2. 2adverbnot comparable

   To a great degree or very often, used with verbs, comparatives and some adjectives.

   Grammar: Often follows very or so, or sits before comparatives: much better, very much appreciated.

   Patterns

   • much more/less/better
   • very much
   • not much of a something

   Thank you very much for your help.

   She feels much better after resting.

   I don't travel much these days.

3. 3pronounsingular

   A large quantity or amount of something that has already been mentioned or is understood.

   Grammar: Stands alone, mostly in negatives and questions: Did you learn much?

   Patterns

   • not much
   • much of something
   • so much

   Much of the town was flooded after the storm.

   There isn't much to see in the village.

   Not much has changed since you left.

Word forms

Common combinations

how much

How much does the ticket cost?

too much

I ate too much at dinner.

so much

Thank you for so much kindness.

much more

The new phone is much more expensive.

not much of a

He's not much of a cook, but he tries.

much to my surprise

Much to my surprise, the exam was easy.

Synonyms and how they differ

a lot of

A lot of is more natural in positive statements, while much is mostly kept for negatives, questions and fixed phrases.

plenty of

Plenty of stresses that there is more than enough, while much just points to a large amount.

a great deal of

A great deal of is more formal and emphatic than much and works well in positive statements.

Opposites

Word family

much adverb

to a great degree

more determiner

comparative form, a greater amount

most determiner

superlative form, the greatest amount

muchness noun

found mainly in the phrase much of a muchness, meaning very similar

Commonly confused: much or many?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “much”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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