Look at how many... /// Look how many...

Question

Hi,what's the difference? I think there's a difference... I think:Look at how many/much...&lt;--- Consider the number/amount of... (Look = Consider)Look how many/much...&lt;--------- Look at the number/amount of... because it's amazing or surprising.I was told the expression "What a lot of...!" is not used much, so I wonder if people usually say "Look how many/much...!" instead.But I'm 0% sure. So I'd like some opinions, thanks

Clive · Accepted Answer

Hi,

what's the difference? I think there's a difference... I think:

Look at how many/much...<--- Consider the number/amount of... (Look = Consider)
Look how many/much...<--------- Look at the number/amount of... because it's amazing or surprising.

Yes, you're right. I see #2 as characteristic of informal speech. One might argue that the 'at' is simply omitted. You might like to consider other uses such as

He looked daggers at me.

He looked me in the eye.

Look what he did.

I was told the expression "What a lot of...!" is not used much, Possibly not, at least where I live, although there is nothing wrong with it. If I walked into a room and was surprised to see so many people, I might say something like

There's a lot of people here.

I wasn't expecting so many people.

What a load of people.

Wow, lots of people.

so I wonder if people usually say "Look how many/much...!" instead. You could say this, but it's just one more possibility to add to the list above.

Best wishes, Clive

CalifJim · Answer

If there's a difference, whether as you hypothesize or otherwise, I don't think people observe it very systematically.

CJ

Kooyeen · Answer

I see. I also asked another native speaker, and it looks like there's no difference, as both of you said. Thanks a lot! <img class='emoticon' style='Width:19px;Height:19px;' data-delaysrc='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/1.gif' src='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/1.gif' alt='Emotion: smile'/>

Look at how many... /// Look how many...

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