was much for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was much for" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in informal contexts to express a strong preference or support for something, but it is not commonly accepted. Example: "He was much for the idea of starting a new project, believing it would benefit the team."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

Although the vote totals were not final, there was much for Mr. Suozzi to savor.

The New York Times

There was much for the beauty business to feel cheerful about.

The New York Times - Style

"He never was much for senatorial courtesy anyway," noted an aide.

The New York Times

Strength is built through adversity and there was much for England to take from the game.

The Guardian - Sport

There was much for the Nationals fans to cheer, even if it had not happened on their own terms.

The New York Times - Sports

There was much for Moyes to delight in yesterday, not least the ease with which victory was accomplished.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

Mo'Nique has never been much for convention.

The New York Times

I've never been much for words.

The New York Times - Sports

There hasn't been much for me with the bat".

The New York Times

There's much for banks to love about these deals.

The New York Times

There is much for America to like about Mr Koizumi.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "was much for" in formal writing. Opt for clearer and more grammatically correct alternatives like "was very supportive of" or "was strongly in favor of".

Common error

Many writers mistakenly use "was much for" in an attempt to express support or preference. This structure doesn't align with standard English grammar. Remember to use proper phrasing such as "was very much in favor of" to convey your intended meaning accurately.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was much for" does not adhere to standard English grammar rules. While some examples exist, they often appear in contexts where the intended meaning is better conveyed using alternative phrases like "was very supportive of" or "was strongly in favor of". Ludwig also indicates this grammatical uncertainty.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

28%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was much for" presents a challenge due to its non-standard grammatical structure. While it appears in various contexts, primarily in News & Media and Academia, its usage is often questionable. Ludwig highlights that there are grammatical concerns that should be taken into account. The best practice is to opt for more grammatically sound alternatives like "was very supportive of" or "was strongly in favor of" to ensure clarity and precision in writing. While common, the phrase can introduce ambiguity and is best replaced with more accepted expressions to convey the intended meaning effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was very supportive of

Emphasizes active support for a person, idea, or cause, suggesting a positive stance and willingness to help.

was highly in favor of

Indicates a positive inclination or preference towards something, suggesting agreement and approval.

was a strong advocate for

Highlights active and public support, often in a formal or political context, implying a commitment to promoting something.

greatly favored

Suggests a strong preference or liking for something, often implying a deliberate choice or decision.

was quite keen on

Indicates enthusiasm and interest, though perhaps to a slightly lesser degree than "extremely keen on".

was extremely keen on

Conveys enthusiasm and eagerness for something, implying a strong desire or interest.

was inclined to support

Indicates a tendency to offer support, though possibly without strong conviction or enthusiasm.

was very partial to

Implies a bias or fondness towards something, suggesting a subjective preference or inclination.

was disposed to prefer

Suggests a natural inclination to choose or favor something over other options.

was highly disposed to

Suggests a natural tendency or inclination towards something, often implying a willingness or openness.

FAQs

What is the correct way to express strong support or preference instead of "was much for"?

Instead of "was much for", use phrases like "was very supportive of", "was strongly in favor of", or "was a strong advocate for" to clearly convey your intended meaning.

Is "was much for" grammatically correct?

No, "was much for" is not grammatically correct in standard English. It's advisable to use grammatically correct alternatives such as "was very much in favor of" or "was supportive of".

What are some alternatives to "was much for" that still convey a sense of enthusiasm or strong preference?

To convey enthusiasm or strong preference, consider using phrases like "was extremely keen on", "greatly favored", or "was very partial to".

How does the usage of "was much for" compare to more formal expressions of support?

While "was much for" is generally considered incorrect, more formal expressions like "was highly disposed to" or "was inclined to support" provide a more sophisticated and grammatically sound way to indicate support or preference.