very much

USAGE SUMMARY

"very much" is a perfectly acceptable and commonly used phrase in written English.
You can use it in many situations, both to emphasize the intensity or degree of something you are saying, or to indicate agreement or preference. For example: "I very much appreciate your help." "I enjoy reading very much." "We need to take this situation very seriously."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

very much.

Princeton University

Perhaps not very much.

The New York Times

Really very much appreciated".

Independent

"Well, thanks very much.

Independent

Very much farther.

The New Yorker

Nobody expected very much.

The New York Times

Probably not very much.

The Economist

Oh, very much.

The New Yorker

It hurts very much".

The New York Times

Very much like this.

Independent

"Very, very much.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for professional or formal writing, consider stronger synonyms like "greatly" or "considerably" for a more impactful tone.

Common error

Avoid using "very much" excessively in formal writing. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives to enhance clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "very much" primarily functions as an adverbial modifier, intensifying the verb or adjective it accompanies. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use to express strong agreement, appreciation, or enjoyment.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

35%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "very much" is a common and acceptable adverbial phrase used to emphasize the intensity of an action, feeling, or state. According to Ludwig AI, it is versatile and suitable for various contexts. While generally neutral, more formal alternatives like "greatly" or "considerably" may be preferred in professional settings. Ludwig's examples showcase its prevalent use in both news media and academic sources, making it a reliable and effective addition to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a great deal

Emphasizes a significant quantity or extent; slightly more formal.

a lot

A common and informal alternative, suitable for most casual contexts.

considerably

Implies a noticeable or substantial degree.

significantly

Highlights importance or impact; more formal and precise.

greatly

Suggests a strong or considerable impact.

substantially

Indicates a significant amount or degree.

deeply

Conveys a profound or intense feeling.

extremely

Intensifies an adjective or adverb, highlighting a high degree.

intensely

Suggests a concentrated or powerful degree of feeling or action.

appreciably

Implies a noticeable or measurable degree.

FAQs

How can I use "very much" in a sentence?

"Very much" is used to emphasize a feeling, action, or state. For example, "I enjoyed the movie "very much"" or "I appreciate your help "very much"".

What are some alternatives to saying "very much"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "a great deal", "a lot", or "greatly" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to use "very much so"?

Yes, "very much so" is a correct and emphatic way of agreeing with a statement or question. For example, if someone asks "Are you enjoying the party?", you could respond, "Very much so".

What is the difference between "very much" and "very many"?

"Very much" is used with uncountable nouns and verbs to indicate degree or intensity, while "very many" is used with countable nouns to indicate a large number. For example, "I have "very much" appreciation for your help" vs. "There are "very many" stars in the sky".