much */*/*/

UK [mʌtʃ] / US adverb, determiner, pronoun
Word forms "much":
comparative more UK [mɔː(r)] / US [mɔr] superlative most UK [məʊst] / US [moʊst]

Summary:

Much can be used in the following ways: - as a determiner (followed by an uncountable noun): There isn't much time left. ♦ How much money have you got? - as a pronoun: He didn't say much. ♦ How much did you pay? (followed by "of"): Much of the work has already been completed. - as an adverb (with a verb or past participle): Things haven't changed much. ♦ A much loved member of the family. (before a comparative or superlative adjective or adverb): The exam was much easier than I had expected. ♦ Loach's latest film is much the best thing he's done.
Get it right: much:
Much is only used with uncountable nouns: The President failed to get much help from the Europeans. It is never followed by a plural noun. With plural nouns, use many:
Wrong: Using credit cards appropriately can bring much benefits to students.
Right: Using credit cards appropriately can bring many benefits to students.
Wrong: Workers experience much breathing problems with passive smoking.
Right: Workers experience many breathing problems with passive smoking. In the same way, too much and so much are only used with uncountable nouns. With plural nouns, use too many or so many:
Wrong: We have cut down too much trees to make paper.
Right: We have cut down too many trees to make paper.
Wrong: There are still so much questions that need to be answered.
Right: There are still so many questions that need to be answered.

1) [usually in negatives or questions] a large amount of something

It's a small car that doesn't use much fuel.

I don't pretend to know much about art.

very much:

It wouldn't cost very much to have your old bike repaired.

much of:

Much of the evidence was gathered in 1991.

too much:

We can't talk here. There's too much noise.

so much:

He spent so much time with Claudia, it seemed as if they were never apart.

2)

a) used for emphasizing that someone or something is a lot bigger, better, worse etc

(very) much bigger/better/worse etc:

Richard's much happier now that he's got a permanent job.

He had married a woman very much younger than himself.

I can't walk much further.

Advisers were urging the President to act much more aggressively.

much improved:

Last year BP achieved much improved results.

much the biggest/best etc (= a lot bigger, better etc than all the others):

I got lots of lovely presents, but yours was much the nicest.

b) used for emphasizing that people, things, situations etc are very similar

much the same (= almost the same):

If I'm going to a club, I wear much the same as I wear for work.

(very) much like:

The interior of the house was much like the outside – ugly and dilapidated.

She looks very much like her mother.

(pretty) much as:

The trial proceeded pretty much as he expected it would.

3) [usually in negatives or questions] used for saying or asking whether someone does something a lot or whether something happens a lot or to a great degree

Do you travel much?

not very much:

People here don't use public transport very much.

too much:

The trouble with Jean is she talks too much.

so much:

Aunt Edie laughed so much that her sides ached.

as much as:

I won't be running about as much as I usually do.

how much:

It's amazing how much things have changed since we first came to live here.

not see much of someone (= not see someone often):

We don't see much of Peter these days.

4) used for saying whether someone feels something strongly or thinks about something a lot

He doesn't seem to care much about the children's education.

very much:

It's obvious that they love each other very much.

be (very) much concerned/aware:

We are very much aware of all the risks involved in genetic engineering.

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Usage note:
When the expression very much is used with verbs such as "like", "enjoy", "want", and "hope", it is usually at the end of the sentence, but it can also be used before these verbs: I liked her very much. ♦ I very much enjoyed reading your letter. ♦ We very much hope that you will visit us.
Much is often used before "prefer" and "appreciate": I would much prefer to be alone. ♦ Your hard work is much appreciated.

(as) much as someone loves/likes/dislikes etc — used for saying that although someone loves, likes, dislikes etc someone or something, a particular fact is still true

Much as she loved her son, she was unable to understand his choice of career.

much loved/respected/admired/criticized etc — used for describing someone or something that is loved, respected etc a lot or by many people

Lord Buckingham was a much loved and respected figure.

the much criticized UN peacekeeping mission to Somalia

much to someone's surprise/amazement/annoyance etc — used for saying that something happens that surprises, annoys etc someone a lot

Much to my surprise, they offered me a £4,000 scholarship.

not/nothing much — spoken used for saying that something is not very important, good, or serious

"What are you doing tomorrow?" "Nothing much."

There's not much to get excited about.

not so much... — used for saying that one thing or fact is true or important rather than another

It's not so much Mandy I'm worried about, it's you.

It was not so much that the work was difficult, but that it was so boring.

say/admit/think/guess as much — to say or think the same thing that has just been stated

The city's crime problem has not been solved, and indeed the chief constable has admitted as much himself.

"I think your wife's in love with someone else." "I'd guessed as much," he said sadly.

too much of a something (to do something) — used for saying that someone or something is too bad, good, dangerous etc to do something

He'd never act on his own – he's too much of a coward for that.

It was considered too much of a safety risk to transport nuclear fuel by train.

with much excitement/sadness/enthusiasm etc — while feeling very excited, sad, enthusiastic etc

The idea was greeted with much enthusiasm.

It was with much sadness that we received the news.

- as much

- as much as

- be too much for someone

- be very much something

- how much

- much too

- not much of a

- not so much as

- so much for something

See:

bit I, up I