Definition much in American English

Much can be used in the following ways:

as a determiner (followed by an uncountable noun): There isn’t much time left.How much money do you have?

as a pronoun: He didn’t say much.How much did you pay? (followed by “of”): Much of the work has already been completed.

as an adverb (with a verb or past participle): Things haven’t changed much.A much loved member of the family. (before a comparative adjective or adverb): The exam was much easier than I had expected.

When the expression very much is used with verbs such as “like,” “enjoy,” “want,” and “hope,” it is usually at the end of the sentence, but it can also be used before these verbs: I liked her very much.I very much enjoyed reading your letter.We very much hope that you will visit us.

Much is often used before “prefer” and “appreciate”: I would much prefer to be alone.Your hard work is much appreciated.

Much is only used with uncountable nouns:

The President failed to get much help from the Europeans.

It is never followed by a plural noun. With plural nouns, use many:

✗ Using credit cards appropriately can bring much benefits to students.

✓ Using credit cards appropriately can bring many benefits to students.

✗ Workers experience much breathing problems with passive smoking.

✓ Workers experience many breathing problems with passive smoking.

In the same way, too much and so much are only used with uncountable nouns. With plural nouns, use too many or so many:

✗ We have cut down too much trees to make paper.

✓ We have cut down too many trees to make paper.

✗ There are still so much questions that need to be answered.

✓ There are still so many questions that need to be answered.