be much good

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be much good" is not standard in written English and may be considered incorrect.
It could be used informally to express that something is of significant value or quality, but it is not commonly accepted. Example: "I don't think this plan will be much good for our project."

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

Nothing in between seems to be much good".

The New York Times

This is not something that newspapers tend to be much good at.

The Economist

"Gut-feel" probability estimates are not likely to be much good.

The New York Times

But it will not be much good if people are unwilling to buy the new cars.

The Economist

To qualify as watchable, a romantic comedy, in the movies, doesn't have to be much good.

The New Yorker

In other words, "Empire" wouldn't have to be much good for me to enjoy it.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

"There has been much good will".

The New York Times

I've never been much good around dogs.

The New Yorker

There is much good to see in this country.

The New York Times

There is much good work being done on health.

The Guardian

There was much good news, but some things went unmentioned.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be much good", consider your audience. In formal writing, opt for alternatives like "be very beneficial" or "be highly effective" to maintain a professional tone.

Common error

Avoid using "be much good" in academic papers or business reports. This phrase can sound informal and may weaken the impact of your writing. Instead, choose precise and professional alternatives like "be significantly helpful" or "be considerably advantageous".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be much good" typically functions as a predicate adjective phrase, modifying a subject by indicating its quality or usefulness. Ludwig's examples show it describing the potential effectiveness or value of something.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

13%

Science

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be much good" is a common expression used to convey that something is valuable or effective. While Ludwig AI suggests its grammatical status is acceptable, it's best suited for informal and neutral contexts. For formal writing, consider using alternatives like "be very beneficial" or "be highly effective" to maintain a professional tone. As shown by Ludwig's examples, authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian frequently use the phrase, indicating its widespread understanding and acceptability in general communications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be very beneficial

Replaces "much good" with a more formal and direct synonym for benefit.

be highly effective

Focuses on the effectiveness of something, implying a positive outcome.

be of great value

Emphasizes the worth or importance of something.

be quite useful

Indicates a practical application and helpfulness.

be significantly helpful

Highlights the degree to which something assists or aids.

be considerably advantageous

A more formal way of expressing benefit or advantage.

be substantially positive

Emphasizes the positive impact or effect of something.

be especially worthwhile

Highlights the value and merit of something.

be really favorable

Expresses a positive and supportive assessment.

be particularly advantageous

Focuses on the advantage provided by something.

FAQs

What does the phrase "be much good" mean?

The phrase "be much good" is used to express that something is of significant value, use, or quality. It implies that something will be helpful or effective in a particular situation.

When is it appropriate to use "be much good"?

It's generally okay to use "be much good" in informal conversations, casual writing, or when the context isn't highly formal. However, more formal writing usually benefits from alternatives that sound more professional.

What can I say instead of "be much good" in a formal context?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases such as "be very beneficial", "be highly effective", or "be of great value".

Is "be much good" grammatically incorrect?

While widely understood, "be much good" is not the most grammatically precise phrasing. It's more of an idiomatic expression. Using alternatives might lead to clearer and more grammatically sound sentences.