really much more

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "really much more" is not standard in written English and may sound awkward.
It can be used informally to emphasize a greater degree of something, but it is better to use more conventional expressions. Example: "I thought I understood the topic, but there is really much more to it than I initially realized."

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

There's not really much more to it.

The Guardian - Music

But big data is really much more than that.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

So it's really much more complicated than that.

The New York Times

Is there really much more to say about Garfield?

The Washington Post

Is London really much more expensive than south Yorkshire?

The Guardian - Travel

"He's clearly really much more of an independent".

The New York Times

A patio or a pergola is really much more attractive".

The New York Times

But it is really much more than that.

The New Yorker

I was really much more cavalier and uncaring than I ever would have thought!

Princeton University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

It's not really much more complicated than that," said manager Roy Hodgson.

BBC

"I think [the ad] is really much more divisive than the remark that I made, which I then apologized for," Dean said.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In casual conversation or less formal writing, "really much more" can effectively convey emphasis.

Common error

Avoid overuse of the phrase in formal writing. While generally understandable, alternatives like "significantly more", "substantially more", or "far more" often lend a more polished and professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "really much more" functions as an intensifier, modifying an adjective or adverb to indicate a higher degree. It emphasizes that something is greater or more significant than expected. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its use in various contexts to highlight differences or amplify qualities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

19%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "really much more" is a phrase used to emphasize that something is considerably greater or more significant. While common and acceptable, Ludwig AI advises that it's not always the most polished choice for formal or academic writing. Context matters: in casual settings, it works fine, but for professional documents, consider alternatives like "significantly more" or "far more". The phrase appears most frequently in news and media sources. Remember to choose the phrasing that best aligns with your intended audience and the level of formality required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

far more

A more concise and common alternative, replacing "really much" with "far".

significantly more

Replaces "really much" with "significantly", indicating a notable increase.

considerably more

Substitutes "really much" with "considerably", implying a substantial difference.

substantially more

Replaces "really much" with "substantially", emphasizing a significant amount or degree.

vastly more

Replaces "really much" with "vastly", suggesting a very large amount or degree.

a great deal more

A more descriptive alternative, emphasizing the quantity or extent.

markedly more

Substitutes "really much" with "markedly", indicating a noticeable or distinct increase.

appreciably more

Replaces "really much" with "appreciably", suggesting a noticeable or measurable increase.

noticeably more

Similar to "appreciably more", but focuses on the ease of noticing the increase.

distinctly more

Highlights a clear and unambiguous difference in degree or extent.

FAQs

What does "really much more" mean?

The phrase "really much more" is used to emphasize that something is considerably greater, larger, or more significant than initially perceived or expected. It highlights a substantial difference in degree or extent.

Is "really much more" grammatically correct?

While not strictly incorrect, "really much more" is considered informal. In formal contexts, alternatives like "significantly more" or "considerably more" are preferred. Ludwig AI indicates it may sound awkward in some contexts.

When should I use "really much more"?

Use "really much more" in informal conversation or writing where emphasis is desired. In formal or academic writing, opt for alternatives such as "substantially more" or "far more" to maintain a professional tone.

What are some alternatives to "really much more"?

Alternatives include "significantly more", "considerably more", "substantially more", "far more", "a great deal more", and "vastly more". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.