Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[klafterreith]

Now the future looks many times better for her than two years ago.

Is the `many times�okay? I feel it`s absolutely incorrect and should be replaced by `much�

Am I right? Please comment!

[Suzanne]

You are right! It should be "much"---nice going!

[rice07]

[Suzanne]

Hello!

A little confusing, isn't it? Let me see if I can explain:

"many" is used with countable nouns, as you know from the dictionary. So, if the sentence said, "I have hoped many times for a brighter future," that would be correct.

"better" is an adjective, so it is modified by an adverb. Here, "much" is that adverb--it tells us that better is even better! It's "much better."

In fact, you can take "times" out of the sentence, and the meaning becomes even more clear: Now the future looks much better for her than two years ago.

Does that help?

[rice07]

Hi Suzzane

Thanks for your elaboration to that!

I know " much " can be used with comparatives, or rather, to modify comparatives. Whereas, we say-- how much bigger, better etc.

But I still deem that this point is quite confusing.(How much bigger =>three times bigger)(How much better=> many times better-- but you said this is incorrect.)

Another similar question titled shop posted by Chan-sheung Lee, is confusing too.( If it's at your convenience, could you please verify this question for us?)

Again, that's why I said " Taking grammar for inspiring and forming the learners' concepts of English, rather than for confining the learners to it, would be a happier way for advancing understanding of lanquage learning during the process ". Hope that won't trouble you too much. Many thanks for your kindness, indeed.

[Suzanne]

No worries!

English is a complicated language, with many exceptions to the grammar rules. That's why simple explanations are the best. Grammar changes with use, so you're wise to be asking questions here at the Help Center.

"Now the future looks many times better for her than two years ago. " may meet the grammar rules, but a native speaker wouldn't ever say that. Instead, we say, "Now the future looks much brighter for her than two years ago." or "Now the future is brighter than two years ago."

I'm sure your language has the same kind of subtle usage.

Keep those questions cominig!

[rice07]

Hi

It's perfectly convincing! Many many... thanks, indeed.

Sincerely

rice 07