not very much

USAGE SUMMARY

'not very much' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express a small amount or degree of something, or to politely express disagreement with something. For example: "We don't have much time left, so I can help you not very much."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Perhaps not very much.

The New York Times

Probably not very much.

The Economist

Not very much.

The New York Times

But not very much does.

The New Yorker

Yes, but not very much.

The New Yorker

Under Toscanini, not very much.

The New York Times - Arts

KT: Not very much.

The Guardian

D.K.: Not very much.

The New York Times - Magazine

Actually, not very much.

The Guardian

That's not very much.

The Guardian - Sport

Not very much, unfortunately.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not very much" when you want to downplay an amount or degree politely. For example, instead of saying "I disagree strongly", you could say "I don't agree very much".

Common error

While versatile, avoid overusing "not very much" in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise language, such as "a limited quantity" or "a negligible amount", to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not very much" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs or adjectives to indicate a limited degree or quantity. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is commonly used to express a small amount or degree of something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Wiki

5%

Science

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not very much" is a versatile and commonly used adverbial phrase that indicates a limited degree or quantity. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. It is generally used to soften statements or express polite disagreement, making it suitable for neutral to informal contexts. While it appears most frequently in news and media sources, it's advisable to use more precise language in highly formal or academic writing to maintain professionalism. Alternatives include phrases like "not a great deal" or "relatively little".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

only a little

This directly states that the quantity is small.

not so much

This alternative maintains a similar level of informality, emphasizing a lack of significant quantity or impact.

not a great deal

This phrase is a more formal way of saying "not very much", implying a small amount or quantity.

relatively little

This phrase conveys a comparison, suggesting that the amount is small in relation to something else.

hardly any

This option underscores the scarcity or near absence of something.

scarcely any

Similar to "hardly any", this emphasizes the rarity or lack of something.

a small amount

This is a more literal and straightforward way to express a limited quantity.

not particularly

This alternative focuses on the lack of intensity or enthusiasm rather than quantity.

to a limited extent

This phrase suggests that something exists but only in a restricted capacity.

in a small measure

This alternative is more formal and indicates that something is present but not significantly.

FAQs

What does "not very much" mean?

The phrase "not very much" indicates a small quantity or degree of something. It's used to express that something is limited or minimal.

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

You can use "not very much" to describe a limited amount. For example, "I don't have "much time"," or "He doesn't like it "very much"".

What can I say instead of "not very much"?

Alternatives include "not a great deal", "relatively little", or "only a little", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "not very much" or "not much"?

Both "not very much" and "not much" are correct, but "not very much" can sometimes sound more polite or understated.