English Profile

much · determiner

/mʌtʃ/Full view

much (QUESTION)

A1 In questions, "much" is used to ask about the amount of something.

Dictionary examples:

Was there much food there?

How much money will I need for the taxi?

How much do these shoes cost?

Learner example:

How much did it cost? (Key English Test; A2; Greek)

much (NEGATIVE)

A2 In negative sentences, "much" is used to say that there is not a large amount of something.

Dictionary examples:

She doesn't earn much money.

Peter didn't say much in the meeting.

"Is there any wine left?" "Not much."

Learner example:

I didn't eat much. (Key English Test; A2; Portuguese)

too much/so much

A2 a large amount of something, often more than you want

Dictionary examples:

I'd love to come but I've got too much work.

I've had so much food.

Learner example:

I'll come by plane, because it takes too much time [by] car. (Key English Test; A2; French)

much (A LOT OF)

C1 a lot of

Dictionary examples:

Much of the evidence was unreliable.

Much work remains to be done.

Learner example:

Much of the influence people [come under] to change eating habits comes from TV, [e]specially advertisements. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Spanish)

not much of a sth

C1 used when you want to say that a person or thing is not a very good example of something

Dictionary examples:

I'm not much of a cook.

It's not much of a job, but it pays the bills.

Learner example:

I'm not much of a royalist but I think she's the symbol of everything that's Danish. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Danish)

much · adverb

/mʌtʃ/

very much

A1 a large amount or degree

Dictionary examples:

Thank you very much for the flowers!

I like her very much.

Learner example:

I like Bradford very much. (Skills for Life (Entry 1); A1; Urdu)

much (OFTEN/ A LOT)

B1 used mainly in questions or negative sentences to mean often or a lot

Dictionary examples:

Do you go to London much?

I don't like curry very much.

Learner example:

I wear skirts, too, but not very much. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Spanish)

much (WITH ADJECTIVES)

B1 used before comparative adjectives such as "better" and "more beautiful" to mean "a lot"

Dictionary examples:

Their old house was much bigger.

That's a much better idea.

It's a much more beautiful city.

Learner example:

This class is so much better than the old one. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Swiss German)