Use of "in as much as"

Question

Hi,This phenomenon caught my attention recently: I saw this expression written in a book:We finished the project in as little as two daysI know that with uncountable nouns we use "few", but yet in this particular example the author used "little" for some reason. I explained it to myself that the author was referring to the span of time, rather than to the number of days, hence he used "little", but I have my doubts as regards this explanation. Could you tell me if I'm right or wrong ?Also, would it be a mistake to say "We finished the project is as few as two days" ?Thanks for your assistance !

Avangi · Accepted Answer

You're right. "Two days" may be viewed as a block of time or as two individual days. Both are correct. "Few" is probably higher register.

I'm not awake enough to address the other problem I see, but I'll do it anyway.
("Inasmuch" is one word, BTW.

)

The only thing I object to is your use of this expression in simple past. We usually use it in some sort of conditional:
"We might be able to finish this project in as few/little as two days."

Even if the project is already finished, and the guy simply can't remember how long it took:

"We might have finished the job in as few as two days - I'm not sure."

"We could have finished the danged project in as little as two days if it hadn't rained so danged much!"

MrPernickety · Answer

Hi, Avangi !

Thanks, you've been a great help ! ))

I have only one question left: what if I want to boast about how fast I finished the project? Can my use of simple past be reasonable in this case? For instance, me and one of my colleagues are having lunch and talking projects over the lunch.

He said :

"I finished my project in ten days, you?"

I replied :

"I finished mine in as little as two days, what on earth took you so long?"

Can it be ok? Or should I word it differently?

Thanks !

Avangi · Answer

MrPernickety me and one of my colleagues are having lunch and talking projects over the lunch. Oh My ***!

He said :

"I finished my project in ten days, you?"

I replied :

"I finished mine in as little as two days, what on earth took you so long?"

Can it be ok? Or should I word it differently?In my opinion it's not okay, and you should word it differently. You obviously have the expression in your head in an unidiomatic way, and you'll just have to give it up.

The common way to put it is, "I finished mine in only two days! etc."

"As little as" describes a range, emphasizing the low limit. That's not a very good explanation, but it'll have to do until I can wake up.

MrPernickety · Answer

I gotcha !

Thanks again !

Delmobile · Answer

I'm pouring you a frothy cappucino, Avangi <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'/>

Avangi · Answer

Thanks, Del.  I'm drinking it with relish.   But don't expect too much.  <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'/>

Use of "in as much as"

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