much to the

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "much to the" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it to express progress or advancement in a particular direction. For example, "Much to the delight of the audience, the comedian began his routine."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

He brought so much to the table.

The New York Times

There's not much to the dashboard.

The New York Times

Much to the doorman's disappointment.

The Guardian

He is too much to the right.

The New York Times

Murray doesn't speak much to the press.

The Guardian - Film

Norman gave so much to the Village.

The New York Times

There was so much to the man.

The Guardian - Film

He's meant so much to the franchise.

The New York Times - Sports

"He brings so much to the table.

The New York Times - Sports

McNabb means that much to the Eagles.

The New York Times - Sports

Murdoch owes that much to the public.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "much to the" to introduce an unexpected or contrasting outcome. For instance, "Much to the team's dismay, the star player was injured before the final."

Common error

Avoid using "much to the" to directly state a cause-and-effect relationship. It's better suited for expressing reactions or unexpected consequences, not as a primary connector of cause and effect. For example, instead of "Much to the rain, the game was canceled", consider "Due to the rain, the game was canceled."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "much to the" functions as a prepositional phrase, often used as an introductory element in a sentence to express a reaction, consequence, or circumstance. It modifies the main clause by adding a layer of emotional or situational context, like in "Much to the crowd's delight". Ludwig confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "much to the" serves as an introductory prepositional phrase to indicate a reaction, surprise, or consequence, as confirmed by Ludwig. It's versatile, appearing in news, scientific texts, and encyclopedias, albeit with varying frequency, maintaining a generally neutral register. To improve your writing, remember that it's best used to highlight unexpected outcomes, rather than as a direct connector of cause and effect. By understanding these nuances, writers can effectively use the phrase in their sentences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to a large degree

Shows something happens at great level.

greatly to

Focuses on the significant impact or contribution.

to a marked extent

Emphasizes the noticeable level.

to the considerable degree of

Highlights a notable amount or level.

to the great extent of

Emphasizes the degree or scope of something.

to the fullest

Highlights the degree of something.

to the utter

Implies a complete or absolute feeling or state.

to the intense

Indicates a high level of emotion or sensation.

in deference to

Highlights something that happens in order to show your respect for someone or something.

in honour of

Happens in order to show your respect for someone or something.

FAQs

How can I use "much to the" in a sentence?

Use "much to the" to introduce a surprising or contrasting outcome. For example, "Much to the surprise of everyone, he announced his retirement."

What are some alternatives to "much to the"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "to everyone's surprise", "to the dismay of", or "contrary to".

What does "much to the chagrin" mean?

"Much to the chagrin" means that something happened that caused someone annoyance or disappointment. For example, "Much to the chagrin of his neighbors, he started playing loud music late at night."

Is it correct to say "much to my surprise"?

Yes, "much to my surprise" is a correct and commonly used phrase to express that something unexpected happened.