this much

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'this much' is a valid part of written English.
It is generally used to mean "to this degree" or "to this extent". For example: "I had expected the project to take a few hours at most, but it ended up taking this much longer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

THIS much is sure.

The Economist

This much I know.

The New Yorker

This much is true.

The New York Times

This much we know".

The New Yorker

Just not this much.

The New York Times - Sports

This much, Ronaldo agrees.

The New York Times - Sports

We know this much.

The New York Times

But not this much.

The New York Times - Sports

I didn't like this much.

The New Yorker

This much everyone agrees on.

The New York Times

Even Facebook acknowledges this much.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair the phrase with physical gestures in spoken English or descriptive imagery in writing to specify a tangible volume or size.

Common error

Do not follow "this much" with unnecessary units if the context has already established them. Writing "this much amount" is redundant; stick to "this much" or "this amount" to keep your prose lean and professional.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this much" primarily functions as a demonstrative quantifier or an adverbial of degree. According to Ludwig AI, it is frequently used to provide a concrete boundary to an abstract concept, often acting as a transition between a known fact and a subsequent elaboration.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "this much" is a highly effective linguistic tool that balances simplicity with rhetorical power. Ludwig AI identifies it as a valid and Very common phrase used by the world's most respected publications to establish factual ground. Whether you are using it to introduce a known truth in a news editorial or to quantify a variable in an academic setting, it provides a clear sense of scale and certainty. For more formal contexts, consider using alternatives like "to this extent", but for direct and impactful communication, "this much" remains an excelente choice for writers at all levels.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to this extent

More formal and often used in legal or academic contexts.

to this degree

Focuses more on the intensity or level of a situation.

this amount

More literal and specific to measurable quantities.

so much

More idiomatic and often used for general emphasis.

to such a degree

Used to describe an extreme or surprising outcome.

this great a deal

Emphasizes the significance or size of a subject.

this level of

Best used when describing a standard or grade of quality.

as much as this

Inverts the structure to highlight comparison.

thus far

Used specifically when referring to progress over time.

this specific quantity

Highly clinical and precise for scientific writing.

FAQs

Is "this much" grammatically correct?

Yes, "this much" is a perfectly valid and common phrase in English. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use across prestigious sources as both a quantifier and an emphatic marker.

What can I say instead of "this much" in a formal paper?

In formal or academic writing, you might prefer using "to this extent" or "to this degree" for a more precise and sophisticated tone.

Can I start a sentence with "this much"?

Absolutely. Starting a sentence with "this much" is a powerful rhetorical device. For example: "This much is certain: the economy is changing."

What is the difference between "this much" and "so much"?

While both emphasize quantity, "this much" is usually more specific and refers back to something just mentioned or physically indicated, whereas "so much" is often more general and emotional.