a very more

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a very more" is not correct and not usable in written English.
It seems to be a confusion of terms, as "very" and "more" serve different grammatical functions and cannot be combined in this way. Example: "This is a very more complicated issue" is incorrect.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Now, in continuous time, we have a very more or less similar situation.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

It was measured enough, anyway, to satisfy Democrats measured, you could say, to a fault ("two verys, and not a very more").

The Economist

And then I remembered, That was not a very More thought to have!

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Our outlook for the art market in 2030: A very large, more liquid market with many more participants.

HuffPost

And those youth actually tend to have a very much more positive relationship with their grandparent.

Cornell University

"It has become a very much more professional area of publishing activity".

The New York Times

We need a new Thinking About War day conceived on a very much more plural base.

The Guardian

Yet the readings that had preceded the burial came from a very different, more literary world.

The Guardian - Books

This strikes me as a very much more sensible way of going about things.

The Guardian

"But we need to do it in a very compelling, more engaging way than we've been doing of late".

The New York Times

Less than two months later, the Third Square video seemed like a relic of a very slightly more innocent time.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "a very more" in formal writing. It is grammatically incorrect and can confuse readers. Instead, opt for alternatives like "much more" or "far more".

Common error

A common mistake is attempting to intensify comparative adjectives with "very", which is designed for positive adjectives. Avoid saying "very more", and instead use "much more" or "far more" to correctly modify the comparative adjective.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a very more" attempts to function as an intensifier modifying a comparative adjective. However, this construction is grammatically incorrect. "Very" typically modifies positive adjectives, not comparative ones. Ludwig AI confirms this grammatical error.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Academia

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a very more" is grammatically incorrect and should generally be avoided in formal writing. Ludwig AI confirms this, advising against its use. While it might occasionally appear in informal contexts, it's best to opt for grammatically correct alternatives like "much more" or "far more". The goal is to convey emphasis clearly and accurately, which can be achieved using the many alternatives provided.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Much more

This alternative uses "much" to correctly modify "more", indicating a greater degree.

Far more

Similar to "much more", "far more" emphasizes a significantly greater extent or degree.

Significantly more

This alternative emphasizes the substantial increase or difference being described.

Considerably more

Indicates a noticeable and substantial increase or difference.

A great deal more

Emphasizes the large quantity or extent of something extra.

Substantially more

Highlights a considerable amount or degree.

A lot more

This is a more informal way to indicate a larger quantity or degree.

A good deal more

Similar to "a great deal more", but can imply a slightly smaller quantity.

Vastly more

This phrase implies an immense difference or increase.

Appreciably more

Suggests an increase or difference that is easily noticed or measured.

FAQs

Why is "a very more" considered grammatically incorrect?

The phrase "a very more" is incorrect because "very" is used to intensify positive adjectives, while "more" is part of a comparative adjective. You can't combine them this way. Use alternatives like "much more" or "far more" instead.

What are some alternatives to "a very more" in formal writing?

In formal writing, replace "a very more" with phrases like "significantly more", "considerably more", or "substantially more" to maintain clarity and correctness.

Is it ever acceptable to use "a very more" in speech or writing?

While technically incorrect, "a very more" might occasionally appear in informal speech or creative writing to convey a specific tone or character voice. However, it's generally best to avoid it in standard English.

How do I choose the best alternative to "a very more"?

To select the best alternative, consider the degree of emphasis you want to convey. For a large difference, use "far more" or "vastly more". For a noticeable but moderate difference, "much more" or "significantly more" may be suitable.