much of

USAGE SUMMARY

"much of" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to indicate a large portion or quantity of something. For example: "The zoo has invested much of its funds in new fencing for the animals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Much of this sticks.

The New York Times

Nothing much, of course.

The New York Times

Much of this system lingers.

The Economist

Much of that is luck.

The New York Times - Sports

And so much of it!

The New Yorker

Much of this is chance.

The New York Times

"There's too much of that".

The New Yorker

Or do much of anything.

The New Yorker

MUCH of Europe has pneumonia.

The Economist

Much of it makes sense.

The Economist

Much of Amarillo society followed.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "much of" when referring to a non-countable noun or a singular entity. For example, "Much of the information is confidential."

Common error

Avoid using "much of" with countable nouns. Instead, use "many of". For example, instead of saying "Much of the books are old", say "Many of the books are old".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "much of" functions as a determiner indicating a large quantity or proportion of something. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in various contexts. Examples show it modifying both countable and uncountable nouns to denote a significant portion.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Science

10%

Reference

4%

Wiki

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "much of" is a versatile phrase used to indicate a substantial portion or quantity of something, according to Ludwig AI. Grammatically correct and widely applicable, it functions as a determiner and maintains a neutral register. It's most commonly found in News & Media sources. Remember to use it with singular or non-countable nouns, and avoid it with plural countable nouns, where "many of" is more appropriate. Consider alternatives like "most of" or "a large part of" for nuanced expression. With high source quality and consistent usage across diverse contexts, mastering "much of" will refine your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

most of

A simpler and more common alternative, indicating the greater part.

a significant portion of

Emphasizes the importance or size of the part being referred to, adding a degree of formality.

a large part of

A more general and less formal way to indicate a substantial section or component.

a considerable amount of

Suggests a notable quantity, often used with uncountable nouns.

a substantial quantity of

Formal and precise, highlighting the large amount or number.

a major share of

Highlights the significant proportion or stake involved.

a good deal of

Less formal, implying a reasonably large quantity or extent.

the majority of

Indicates more than half, focusing on the prevalence of something.

a sizable fraction of

Implies a notable but not necessarily dominant part.

a healthy proportion of

Suggests that the part is significant and beneficial.

FAQs

How to use "much of" in a sentence?

Use "much of" followed by a singular or non-countable noun to indicate a large portion. For example, "Much of the work is already done".

What can I say instead of "much of"?

You can use alternatives like "most of", "a large part of", or "a significant portion of" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "much of the" or "many of the"?

"Much of the" is used with singular or non-countable nouns (e.g., "much of the information"), while "many of the" is used with plural countable nouns (e.g., "many of the books").

What's the difference between "much of" and "most of"?

"Most of" generally refers to the majority or the greatest part, while "much of" indicates a large quantity but doesn't necessarily imply a majority. "Most of the time" suggests more than half, whereas "much of the effort" only implies a substantial amount.