Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[Marrion]

[1] Much of this system exists still to the very day.
[2] I spent much of the day.
=================================
Um... from above are all correct?

And

Is "much of" used with "Countable singular nouns", system, day, etc ?

If so,

Are here some rules in the usage?

[lotus]

Hi Marrion,

QUOTE:
[1] Much of this system exists still to the very day.
[2] I spent much of the day.

Try:

1) Much of this system exists today.
2) I spent much of the day (sleeping).

"Much" here means "a lot" and is singular.
Much has been said about Google's great IPO.


--lotus

[Marrion]

[1] Much of this system exists still to the very day.
[2] I spent much of the day.

Did you say that [1] and [2] are correct?

And

Did you say that "much of" can be used with "countable singlar nouns"?


I want to know that...

About I have known that oringally "much" must be used with "uncountable singlar nouns".

So I wonder whether "much of" can be used with "countable singlar nouns" or not.

[lotus]

Hi Marrion,

"Much" can be a noun or an adjective or an adverb.

As a noun, it means a large quantity or amount.
Much has been said of the Google IPO.
"Much" itself (as a noun) is singular.
How much is that doggie in the window?

As an adjective it means to a great degree or great quantity of.
He found much happiness in his marriage.

As an adjective, it modifies mostly mass nouns (uncountable nouns).
He found much fruit (mass noun) in the basket.

It cannot modify a singular noun (obviously, because it means great quantity) or a plural noun with an "s" (you would use something like "many" instead).
There are much oranges in the basket. (incorrect)
There are many oranges in the basket. (correct)

Much as an adverb means "to a greater extent":
He was much smarter than his classmates.

When you use "much of", your are really using "much" as a noun with the preposition "of" following it. The object of the preposition be can plural or singular (or even countable or uncountable).
He saw much of his fiance (singular).
He saw much of her good points (plural).
I spent much of the day (countable noun) sleeping.
Much of the air (uncountable noun) is foul.



--lotus

[Marrion]

^0^ Thank you very much, sir.


May you be in happiness.