a lot and much

Question

Hello, I would like to ask you about the usage of a lot and much without a noun. Can we use a lot without a noun in all kinds of sentences? For example: Do you watch TV a lot? We like films, so we go to the cinema a lot. I do not like him a lot. Donna spoke to me, but she did not say a lot. And what about much? In what kinds of sentences can we use it without a noun? Thank you very much.

Fivejedjon · Accepted Answer

Anonymous Can we use a lot without a noun in all kinds of sentences?

Yes.

AnonymousAnd what about much? In what kinds of sentences can we use it without a noun?

In negative and interrogative sentences, 'a lot' is rather more informal than 'much'. In affirmative sentences, 'much' on its own tends to be avoided. People who consider 'a lot' informal find other ways of expressing the idea. I go to the cinema quite often. I like him very much.

BillJ · Answer

Yes, you can. "A lot" and "much" can used to express quantification, typically (but not always) in adjuncts (adverbials) of degree:

[1] Do you watch TV a lot?
[2] We like films, so we go to the cinema a lot.
[3] I do not like him a lot.
[4] Donna spoke to me, but she did not say a lot.
[5] I like it very much
[6] I didn't enjoy sailing much.

In [1] - [3] "a lot" is an adjunct (or adverbial) of degree. It involves quantification inasmuch as it refers to the extent to which 'TV is watched', 'you go the cinema', and 'you dislike him'. [4] is different: although it still expresses quantification, "a lot" here is not an adjunct but object complement of the verb "say".

[5] and [6] again, are examples of quantification expressed by adjuncts of degree indicating the extent to which 'you liked it' and 'didn't enjoy sailing'. Sometimes "much" and "a lot" are interchangeable, in which case the former is considered by some to be more formal than "a lot": "I didn't enjoy sailing much / a lot", "I like it very much / a lot".

Note that "much", but not "a lot", can often be premodified by the adverbs "very" or "too": "very / too much", but compare the impossibility of "*I like it very / too a lot".

BillJ

Anonymous · Answer

Thank you very much

a lot and much

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