not so much as

USAGE SUMMARY

"not so much as" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to indicate disappointment or displeasure about something that hasn't happened. It is often used with "tried/do/go" to indicate an effort was made to do something, but it did not succeed. For example: "I tried to get tickets to the concert, but not so much as a single one was available."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

She could not so much as wave.

The New York Times - Sports

"Not so much", as the kids say.

The Economist

Not so much as a birthday card.

The Guardian - Books

Not so much as a fingerprint.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Not so much as a chance.

The Guardian - Sport

Not so much, as it turns out.

The Guardian

But a computer will not so much as sigh.

The Economist

She has not so much as thumbed through a book.

The New York Times

I received not so much as a smile in return.

The New York Times - Travel

Not so much as a trace of sentimentality.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

The higher rate in women is due to general sex differences and thus is not so much AS-specific.

Arthritis Research and Therapy

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not so much as" to emphasize the surprising or disappointing absence of something, especially when it might have been expected. For instance, "He didn't offer a greeting, not so much as a nod."

Common error

Avoid using "not so much as" when simply stating a negative. It's most effective when highlighting an unexpected absence or a disappointing lack of action. For example, avoid saying "He didn't eat the apple, not so much as a bite" when the emphasis is simply on the act of him not eating the apple. Instead, focus the sentence on what it is or he did.

How to use

Learn how to use "not so much as" with practical examples and tips.

How to use

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not so much as" functions as an adverbial intensifier, emphasizing the absence of something, often with a sense of surprise or disappointment. It indicates that something is lacking to a significant degree. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "not so much as" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to emphasize the absence of something, often with a tone of surprise or disappointment. Ludwig AI confirms it's a correct and commonly used expression. It's particularly prevalent in news and media contexts, indicating a neutral to slightly formal register. While it can be replaced with simpler alternatives like "not even", the specific nuance of highlighting a surprising lack makes it a valuable tool in writing and speech. Remember to use it when you want to underscore that something, even in its most minimal form, was missing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not even

Emphasizes the absence of something to an even greater degree.

not so much as a single

Highlights the complete lack of even one instance of something.

not in the slightest

Indicates a complete absence of a quality or feeling.

not at all

Expresses a complete lack of something.

not a bit

Similar to "not at all" but can emphasize a smaller amount.

without even a

Highlights the lack of something that might be expected.

scarcely

Implies a minimal or barely present amount.

barely

Similar to "scarcely", indicating a minimal presence.

hardly

Expresses a very small amount or degree.

without any

Indicates the complete absence of something.

FAQs

How can I use "not so much as" in a sentence?

Use "not so much as" to emphasize the absence of something, often implying surprise or disappointment. For example, "She didn't acknowledge me, "not so much as" a glance."

What's a simpler way to say "not so much as"?

You can often replace "not so much as" with simpler phrases like "not even" or "without a", depending on the context.

Is "not so much as" formal or informal?

"Not so much as" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, although it tends to appear more frequently in written and slightly more formal communication.

What's the difference between "not so much as" and "not as much as"?

"Not so much as" emphasizes the complete absence of something, while "not as much as" compares quantities or degrees. For example, "He didn't offer support, "not so much as" a kind word" versus "He didn't help me "not as much as" I expected."