Archive for May, 2011

Correct use of much and very

May 12th, 2011 in Improve English

Correct the following sentences.

1. She is very much beautiful.

2. He was very kind enough to invite me.

3. She is very better today.

4. Her boyfriend is very older than her.

5. You are much handsome.

6. She looks very older than her sister.

7. Russian is very more difficult than Spanish.

Answers

1. She is very beautiful.

2. He was kind enough to invite me. OR He was so kind as to invite me.

3. She is much better today. OR She is very much better today.

4. Her boyfriend is much older than her. OR Her boyfriend is far older than her.

5. You are very handsome.

6. She looks much older than her sister.

7. Russian is much more difficult than Spanish.

Grammar notes

We cannot use very with comparative adjectives. Instead, we use much, far, very much, a lot, lots, rather, a little, a bit etc.

That would be a bit more sensible. (NOT That would be very more sensible.)

In the same way, we cannot use much with positive adjectives. We cannot, for example, say He is much intelligent. Instead, we say: He is very intelligent.

We do not usually use very to modify superlative adjectives. Instead, we use much or by far. But note that very can be used to emphasize superlatives. It is also used with first, next and last.

This is the very best wine I have tasted in my life.
This is your very last chance.