know how much would be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "know how much would be" is not correct in standard English.
It seems to be an incomplete thought and lacks clarity in its intended meaning. Example: "I want to know how much would be required for the project."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

But the Police Benevolent Association challenged that assertion, saying that it was impossible to know how much would be saved because so little information or analysis was available.

The New York Times

Although campaign officials said they did not know how much would be paid out between now and Tuesday, they said they had earmarked $1.5 million for workers whose sole job will be to encourage likely Corzine supporters to go to the polls.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

But he said the state government still wanted to know exactly how much would be allocated to SA and wanted to ensure all the funds were allocated to the two states most affected.

The Guardian

So, to accurately estimate the distance a particular landslide would travel, they'd need to know how much material would be involved before the flow even started.

Science Magazine

I don't think we thought it was gonna not do well, but we kind of didn't know how much people would be on board for it, because it's kind of a weird art film.

Huffington Post

We didn't know how much space would be left, how exactly the climb was going to happen.

The Guardian

I am intrigued to know how much people would be willing to ask of others, and for how little, when forced to personally confront their humanity.

The Guardian - Opinion

The FTC added that although Google has changed its in-app payment policies from the early days when no verification was required, it was still not doing enough to let people know how much they would be paying.

BBC

Ms. Cobb noted the tax bite was a factor, but she didn't yet know how much she would be expected to pay.

The New York Times

Did I have plan in my back pocket for the Budget, I didn't, we didn't have the Wanless report and we didn't know how much money would be necessary or we didn't at that time any have idea whether growth in the economy might be strong enough to obviate the need for tax increases.

The Guardian

"Nobody wants to be told they're of low consequence," said Tim Hess, 65, a wheat farmer and cattle rancher born and raised here in Montana who would have about 1.5 miles of pipe cross his land but still did not know how much he would be paid for it.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity, replace the phrase "know how much would be" with more direct alternatives such as "determine the quantity" or "estimate the cost" to ensure grammatical correctness.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "know how much would be" in formal writing. This phrasing can sound awkward and is often grammatically incorrect. Instead, opt for clearer alternatives like "determine the amount" or "estimate the cost".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "know how much would be" functions as part of an interrogative structure, often expressing a desire or need to determine a specific quantity or value. However, as Ludwig AI notes, the phrasing itself is not standard and can be improved for clarity.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

34%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "know how much would be" is generally considered grammatically incorrect and awkward in standard English. Ludwig AI highlights that it's often better to use clearer and more direct alternatives such as "determine the quantity", "estimate the cost", or "find out the amount". While the phrase appears in some news and media contexts, it's best to avoid it in formal writing to ensure clarity and grammatical correctness. The phrase is considered rare, and is best replaced by one of the alternatives suggested in this guide.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

find out the quantity

Offers a simpler and more direct way of asking about or discovering an amount.

ascertain the amount

Replaces "know how much would be" with a more formal and precise expression of finding out a specific quantity.

determine the quantity

Focuses on a more direct and grammatically sound way of expressing the ascertainment of an amount.

calculate the total

Emphasizes the act of computing a sum, providing a more action-oriented alternative.

discover the extent

Shifts the focus to understanding the scope or range of something, rather than a specific amount.

estimate the cost

Specifically addresses the determination of a monetary value, suitable in financial contexts.

understand the magnitude

Focuses on grasping the size or importance of something.

quantify the impact

Focuses on measuring or determining the effect or influence of something.

measure the degree

Highlights the process of assessing the level or intensity of something.

assess the volume

Specifically relates to determining the amount of space occupied by something.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "know how much would be" to sound more natural?

You can use alternatives like "determine the quantity", "estimate the cost", or "find out the amount" depending on the context.

Is "know how much would be" grammatically correct?

No, the phrase "know how much would be" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. It often sounds awkward and can be better expressed using clearer and more direct alternatives.

What is a more formal way to say "know how much would be"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases such as "ascertain the amount" or "quantify the impact".

How does "know how much would be" differ from "find out how much it is"?

"Know how much would be" is generally grammatically incorrect and awkward. "Find out how much it is" is a more direct and understandable way to ask about the cost or quantity of something.