not much more

USAGE SUMMARY

"not much more" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to refer to something that has already been indicated or established but is, to a greater or lesser degree, in short supply. For example, "We do not have much time left, not much more than an hour."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Food

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Not much more.

The New York Times - Food

Not much more, I promise.

The New York Times

Personally, not much more.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The risotto is not much more difficult.

The New York Times - Magazine

But not much more than that.

The New Yorker

Not much more you could ask for".

The New York Times - Sports

Six feet and not much more.

The New York Times - Sports

— if not much more about the exchange.

The New York Times

There is not much more to say.

The New York Times - Sports

Not much more than this.

The Guardian

There's not much more you can say".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "not much more" with specific metrics or quantities to provide precise context, like "not much more than a few dollars" or "not much more than a mile away".

Common error

While versatile, "not much more" can sound too casual in highly formal writing. Opt for more precise or sophisticated phrases like "only a marginal increase" or "an inconsequential addition" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not much more" functions as a qualifier, typically used to indicate that the quantity, extent, or degree of something is limited beyond what has already been established. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Sports

13%

Books

8%

Less common in

Food

5%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not much more" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that there is a limited quantity or degree beyond what has been established. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media, although a more formal alternative might be appropriate in certain settings. While the examples found through Ludwig showcase its versatility, remember to tailor your choice of words to suit the specific tone and audience of your writing. Related phrases like "only slightly more" or "barely any more" offer subtle variations in meaning that can enhance your expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not a great deal more

Replaces "much" with "a great deal", emphasizing the limited additional quantity.

only slightly more

Uses "slightly" to indicate a minimal increase or addition.

barely any more

Highlights the scarcity of the additional amount.

hardly anything more

Similar to "barely any more", stressing the insignificance of the extra amount.

not significantly more

Emphasizes that the increase is not substantial or important.

only a little extra

Uses "little extra" to convey a small addition.

not substantially more

Similar to "not significantly more", indicating a lack of considerable increase.

scarcely any more

Emphasizes the minimal amount beyond what's already present.

just a touch more

Uses "a touch" to suggest a very slight addition.

a mere bit more

Implies the extra amount is insignificant or negligible.

FAQs

How can I use "not much more" in a sentence?

You can use "not much more" to indicate a small additional amount or degree, as in "We've already waited an hour; I can't wait "much longer"" or "The work is mostly done; there's "not much left to do"".

What phrases are similar to "not much more"?

Alternatives include "only slightly more", "not a great deal more", or "barely any more", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "not much more" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "not much more" may be too informal for certain formal contexts. Consider using phrases like "only a marginal increase" or "an inconsequential addition" in those situations.

What's the difference between "not much more" and "not much else"?

"Not much more" implies a small additional quantity or degree, while "not much else" suggests that there are few or no other relevant things to consider. For example, "I ate already; I want not much more" vs "I have not much else to say".