Can we say "I am very much sure.."

Question

Can we use the following expression in a formal context (or in an informal one), is it correct and relevant?"I am very much sure.."

Rover_KE · Accepted Answer

You can say it if you want to, but I don't know any native speakers who would.

CalifJim · Answer

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Can we use the following expression in a formal context (or in an informal one), is it correct and relevant?
"I am very much sure.."

Any elementary English grammar book will tell you that 'much' is not used before an adjective. There is no such thing as 'much happy', 'much tall', or 'much funny'.

So no, using 'I am very much sure' is not a good idea. Leave out 'much' and it's OK:

I am very sure.

But then it wouldn't be English without a few exceptions. The most obvious exception is that 'much' can precede an adjective in comparative form because that form implies the quantifier 'more', and you can have 'much more'.

much smaller, much worse, much lower

Less obvious exceptions have to be learned separately. While 'much alive' and 'much afraid' are not possible, 'very much alive' and 'very much afraid' are used for emphasis at times.

'very much sure' is being used more and more these days (See Google Ngram Viewer), but I don't think it's ready yet for everyday use in all parts of the English speaking world. I recommend you avoid it.

CJ

Can we say "I am very much sure.."

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