Grammar Practice in Context - David Bolton, Noel Goodey 1997

81 Adverbs of degree: a lot, a bit, much, etc. More, most, better, best, etc.

Quick reference

• We can use a lot, a little, a bit, much, very much, so much, as much on their own as adverbs. They normally come after the main verb and its object.

She loves you a lot I don’t like him very much.

• We can use very much in positive or negative sentences, but much only in negative sentences. Thank you very much She didn’t like beer very much.

He didn’t read much. I like him very much. (not I like him much.)

• We often use a lot, a bit, a little, much, very much, so much before a comparative adjective or adverb.

He’s a lot taller now. Can we walk a bit more slowly?

A bit and a little (but not a lot, much, very much, so much) can also be used with an adjective not in the comparative form.

These jeans are a bit big. She’s a little jealous.

• The comparative forms more, less, better, worse and the superlative forms most, least, best, worst can be used on their own as adverbs of degree. We usually put them after the main verb and its object.

Nowadays I read more. I like this colour the most.

• We can use a lot, a bit, much, very much, so much before more, less, better, worse.

Flying costs a lot more. It’s a bit less cold today. I’m feeling much better.

Most, least, best, worst can also be used with adjectives formed from the past participles of verbs.

Her age was her best kept secret. He’s their worst paid employee.

1 Read the text and decide which answer, A, B, or C best fits each space.

Edith Sellick is 87. She lives in an old people’s home. Nowadays (1) ... Instead she (2) ... There’s one thing she still very much enjoys. She (3) ... The old people’s home is warm and comfortable but she (4) ... Nowadays she walks and talks (5) ... In fact, when she lived on her own, (6) ... And her life (7) ...

1 A she doesn’t read much.

2 A a bit watches television.

3 A a lot looks at old photos.

4 A doesn’t like very much the food.

5 A slowly much more.

6 A she was a lot happier.

7 A was more interesting very much.

В she doesn’t much read.

В watches television a bit.

В looks at old photos a lot.

В very much doesn’t like the food.

В more slowly much.

В she a lot happier was.

В was very much more interesting.

C she much doesn’t read.

C watches a bit television.

C looks at a lot old photos.

C doesn’t like the food very much.

C much more slowly.

C she was happier a lot.

C very much was more interesting.

2 An Englishwoman has moved to a Greek island. Add the words in brackets to the sentences. Mark (*) their position.

1 (so much) I like living here.

2 (more) I like the summer, but I like the winter.

3 (best) I think I like February.

4 (least) And I like August.

5 (much) In summer I don’t talk to my friends. They’re all very busy.

6 (a lot/very much) Life in the winter is slower and quieter.

7 (a bit) I must admit I get bored sometimes.

8 (a little) I paint.

9 (a bit) And I also write.

10 (a lot) I used to write.

11 (much less) But nowadays I write.

3 Richard is in his first year at London university. Complete what he says using all the following adverbs: very much, more (x2), most, less, least, better, best, worse.

I admit, I don’t work (1) ... In fact I work (2) ... than I did at school. I certainly go out (3) ... than I used to. I did badly in last year’s exams and I’ll probably do even (4) ... this year.

I share a house with six other students. I care (5) ... about the house than they do. They don’t do any housework. One ol the students is from Manchester. I get on with him (6) ... than with the others. In fact, I probably like him (7) ... because he comes from the north, like me. He’s the only one in the house who’s going to pass the exam. He studies (8) ... I suppose I’m the laziest. I study (9) ...

4 Write sentences about what you do on weekdays and at weekends. Use at least six of these words/phrases on their own, as adverbs: a lot, a little, a bit, much, very much, so much, as much, more, less, better, worse, most, least, best, worst.

Examples: On weekdays I watch television a bit. At weekends I watch, it a lot. I like Monday the least. I don't go out much during the week.

Check your sentences with a teacher.