much

Universal Words determiner, pronoun, adverb determiner, pronoun used with uncountable nouns, especially in negative sentences to mean 'a large amount of sth', or after 'how' to ask about the amount of sth. It is also used with 'as', 'so' and 'too': I don't have much money with me. * 'Got any money?' 'Not much.' * How much water do you need? * How much is it (= What does it cost)? * Take as much time as you like. * There was so much traffic that we were an hour late. * I've got far too much to do. * 'Is there any mail?' 'Not much.' * (formal) I lay awake for much of the night. * (formal) There was much discussion about the reasons for the failure. IDIOMS as much the same: Please help me get this job-you know I would do as much for you. * 'Roger stole the money.' 'I thought as much.' as much as sb can do: No dessert for me, thanks. It was as much as I could do to finish the main course. not much in it used to say that there is little difference between two things: I won, but there wasn't much in it (= our scores were nearly the same). not much of a... not a good...: He's not much of a tennis player. this much used to introduce sth positive or definite: I'll say this much for him-he never leaves a piece of work unfinished. adverb (more, most) to a great degree: Thank you very much for the flowers. * I would very much like to see you again. * He isn't in the office much (= often). * You worry too much. * My new job is much the same as the old one. * Much to her surprise he came back the next day. * She's much better today. * The other one was much too expensive. * Nikolai's English was much the worst. * We are very much aware of the lack of food supplies. * I'm not much good at tennis. * He was much loved by all who knew him. * an appeal to raise much-needed cash IDIOMS much as although: Much as I would like to stay, I really must go home. moreatLESSadv. ______________________________ WHICHWORD? much / a lot of / lots of Much is used only with uncountable nouns. It is used mainly in questions and negative sentences: Do you have much free time? * How much expe-rience have you had? * I don't have much free time. In statements a lot of or lots of (informal) is much more common: 'How much (money) does she earn?' 'A lot!' You can also use plenty of. These phrases can also be used in questions and negative sentences. A lot of/lots of is still felt to be informal, especially in BrE, so in formal writing it is better to use much, a great deal of or a large amount of. Very much and a lot can be used as adverbs: I miss my family very much. * _I_ _m_i_s_s_ _v_e_r_y_ _m_u_c_h_ _m_y_ _f_a_m_i_l_y. * I miss my family a lot. * Thanks a lot. In negative sentences you can use much: I didn't enjoy the film (very) much. -<noteatMANY ______________________________