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Anonymous Posted 15 years ago
Grammar

"...not so much."

I recently had a editor change a compound sentence of mine into two sentences which read:

"What's legal and not legal seems straighforward. What's ethical is not so much."

I have noticed "not so much" appearing more and more at the end of sentences. Is this grammetically acceptable?

Thanks,

Hal K.
  

Top answer

How did you have your original sentence written? It seems very informal. It can be quite conversational, and if that fits your style, that could work...

  • How did you have your original sentence written?
  • It seems very informal.
  • It can be quite conversational, and if that fits your style, that could work...
  • but I'd probably (in the attempt to be conversational) write: What's ethical?
  • Not so much.
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1 Answers
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How did you have your original sentence written? It seems very informal. It can be quite conversational, and if that fits your style, that could work... but I'd probably (in the attempt to be conversational) write: What's ethical? Not so much. But this style is only suitable in limited circumstances. Does your editor favor a conversational/breezy style?

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