count for much

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "count for much" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It means to have a significant impact or influence on something. Example: The candidate's lack of experience may not count for much in this election, as voters are more concerned with their policies and plans for the future.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Still, this may not count for much.

The Economist

Which may not count for much.

The New York Times - Sports

That experience will count for much.

The Guardian

My vote will count for much".

The New Yorker

Pre-election budgets rarely count for much.

The Guardian

But, practically, that precedence doesn't count for much.

The New Yorker

Whatever the statistics tell us, they didn't count for much.

The New York Times - Sports

And the detecting questions don't count for much.

The New York Times - Books

Yet these concession speeches may not count for much.

The Guardian

Even Margaret Thatcher doesn't count for much now.

The Guardian

And winning marginal victories elsewhere doesn't count for much.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "count for much", consider the context to ensure it accurately conveys the level of significance you intend. It often implies that something is less important than it might seem.

Common error

Avoid using "count for much" when you actually mean something is highly significant. This phrase often suggests a lack of importance, so be sure it reflects your true meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "count for much" functions as a verb phrase within a sentence, typically modifying a noun or pronoun. It expresses the degree of importance or significance attributed to the subject. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "count for much" is a commonly used expression that suggests something is not particularly important or influential. Grammatically correct, it appears across a variety of contexts, particularly in news and media, science, and formal business settings. Ludwig AI confirms its frequent use. While seemingly straightforward, it's crucial to use this phrase with precision, ensuring it accurately reflects the intended level of significance. Alternatives like "matter significantly" or "be of great importance" can be more suitable depending on the desired emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

matter significantly

This alternative emphasizes the degree of importance or consequence.

carry weight

This phrase suggests influence or importance in a decision or situation.

have a great effect

This option focuses on the extent of the impact produced.

be of great importance

This alternative highlights the value or significance of something.

make a difference

This phrase suggests a positive impact or a change in the status quo.

have influence

This option highlights the power to affect something.

bear consequence

This variant emphasizes the resultant effect of something.

be consequential

This adjective form indicates something that has major ramifications.

prove valuable

This suggests that something's worth will become apparent.

register significantly

This describes how something is noticed or recorded as important.

FAQs

How can I use "count for much" in a sentence?

You can use "count for much" to express that something is not very important or influential, such as: "In the long run, that mistake won't "count for much"."

What's the difference between "count for much" and "matter a lot"?

"Count for much" suggests something is not very important, while "matter a lot" implies high importance. They have opposite meanings. For example, saying "experience doesn't "count for much"" means it's not important, whereas "experience "matters a lot"" indicates the opposite.

What are some alternatives to "count for much" when something is insignificant?

If you want to express that something is not important, try using phrases like "doesn't matter", "is insignificant", or "is of little importance".

Is it better to say "counts for much" or "count for much"?

The correct form depends on the subject. Use "counts for much" for singular subjects (e.g., "experience counts for much") and "count for much" for plural subjects (e.g., "those efforts count for much").