This is mostly opinion without any explanation or documentation. The water is so salty that we cannot drink it. [ emphasis ] "Are you enjoying your vacation? Correct Usage of The Adverbs MUCH and VERY : MUCH & VERY MUCH qualifies Adjectives or Adverbs in the Comparative Degree. I am 24 years old. To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers. I am usually cook dinner for my family. Yesterday, everything was ok. I said "Yesterday" because it's already past midnight. This is the very best wine I have tasted in my life. Somebody claims that "very much" is not proper English, is a form of colloquialism, and would never be used in academic writing or books. Traditional grammar is often not very clear about this, often calling the passivized verb a "participle", or even an adjective. She is knowing you very well. He go to bed very early. The major confusion factor is that the "-ed" suffix has two functions: (1) morphologically, suffix "-ed" can convert a verb to an adjective, (2) syntactically, "-ed" can convert an active verb into a passive verb (which is still a verb, however, not an adjective). There are very many people on the street. Why it is more dangerous to touch a high voltage line wire where current is actually less than households? Wrong question or answer? Another word for very much. The major confusion factor is that the "-ed" suffix has two functions: (1) morphologically, suffix "-ed" can convert a verb to an adjective, (2) syntactically, "-ed" can convert an active verb into a passive verb (which is still a verb, however, not an adjective). please click here to let us know. About choice (a): How to determine? Now here comes the confusion. Could anyone confirm that both … For more advanced learners Note 1: VERY MUCH usually expresses a positive idea, TOO MUCH always expresses a negative idea (it is an excess), but in colloquial English (especially American English) you can use TOO MUCH with a positive sense meaning "very very much". 7. The trains are too / very crowded. The only time we're likely to say these words in that order is when followed by a mention of some topic, for example: She talks very much about saving the children in Uganda. 5. We have to use very much to make the sentence correct. GrammarCheck.me uses an advanced, web-based grammar checking engine to power its free online spelling & grammar software. Do you struggle with apostrophes or spend way too long trying to identify the correct place to use a comma? Does they live in Canada? However, there is no need to thank us until after we answer your questions. There is no explicit agent, and often not even an implicit one. hardly / last year / could / ski / he. It rains now, we can’t go out. I am Rham Ferrer. site design / logo © 2021 Stack Exchange Inc; user contributions licensed under cc by-sa. Instead, we use much, far, very much, a lot, lots, rather, a little, a bit etc. (Incorrect): I am very much sorry. Correct: The house is spacious enough for me. Q3. Brad has very nice neighbors, all of whom I like very much. 'She talks so much' and 'She talks a lot' are pretty much interchangeable. 2. Use this phrase when thanking someone for a favor or gift. Unfortunately, some seem to use "at/with" also in passives. 6. (?Your help is very appreciated. She don’t like tennis. Is it correct to say "I very want" or it's better to say "I very much want" or maybe (one word) totally incorrect to stand place "very" before "want" and I must stand place it in the end of the sentence? But it's not possible to learn all cases individually, and of course there is not all cases written. Does John has enough money? After you have edited for content, structure, and quality, move on to proofreading for grammar. The poem is going round the earth. Thanks Again!!!! I very much like it. “Thank you so much” has become a popular phrase for email sign-offs and to express gratitude—it’s colloquial, and feels personal and sincere—but all that (over)use may be lessening its impact. Could somebody explain to me how it isn't grammatically correct also? She talks very much is not a full sentence an AmE speaker is likely to say – don't know about other areas. She is admired by everyone who knows her (explicit). But proper grammar isn’t the only thing you need to think about. In one way this sentence is correct, and in other way if we look at it, this sentence is incorrect? The Danger of Bad Grammar. If you find it helpful, we would appreciate it if you could help us spread the word by tweeting, sharing on Facebook, blogging about us or simply telling your friends in person. Incorrect: I felt so lonely. Incorrect: The house is enough spacious for me. Apply corrections where you need them. VERY qualifies Present Participles. As an Adverb; 1. Common Grammar Mistakes in English; Incorrect: I am much happy to see you. Incorrect or undesirable way. He groaned for lib Does they live in Canada? Is this sentence is really correct? "I am very interested" indicates a great deal of interest in something. There is another way of analyzing that quoted sentence. "I am very interested in your answer" or "I ma interested in your answer very much" Sep 21 2003 15:01:41. Nov 07 2013 09:33:04 . We cannot, for example, say He is much intelligent. In fact, very much kind and so much kind are not normal English. Water vapour is condensing to form clouds. OR Her boyfriend is far older than her. This looks very like what we had at our shooting party in November. Our correct grammar and punctuation checker has several powerful tools for both checking and editing texts. Test your understanding with this grammar exercise. 2. Wrong question or answer? Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience. How to distinguish between past participles used as adjectives and past participles that have a passive meaning? Correct: I like ice cream very much. MUCH qualifies Past Participles. Since listeners already know that your level of interest is high, "much" is not needed. We cannot use very with comparative adjectives. Generally speaking, so and very have positive meanings.Too, on the other hand, shows negative extremes. I like it very much. i) How this looks? Forums Grammar & Sentence Structure 0 2,309 + 0. is it correct to say "i very want" or it's better to say "i very much want" or may be it's totally incorrect to stand "very" before "want" and i must stand it in the end of sentence? "He was very irritated at/with/*by Joyce." I must offer a long overdue thank you to Grammar.com. If a disembodied mind/soul can think, what does the brain do? Generally speaking, so and very have positive meanings.Too, on the other hand, shows negative extremes. He often takes Mrs Hodges to town after breakfast Does John has enough money? Instead, we say: He is very intelligent. hardly / last year / could / ski / he . I shall miss you very much. For bloggers, flawless grammar is also especially important, since Google gives preference to well-written content. Nevertheless, most style guides warn against overdoing it. 9. We shall be very / only too pleased if you can spend a few days with us. Both much and a lot can be used as adverbs meaning "to a great extent or degree". Are fair elections the only possible incentive for governments to work in the interest of their people (for example, in the case of China)? Click on underlined words to get a list of proper wording alternatives, suggestions, and … I am very much interested. share | improve this answer | follow | edited Apr 9 '12 at 2:46. There were far too many applicants for the job. Consequently, right now is the beginning of Wednesday. Incorrect: The house is enough spacious for me. Badly, like most words ending in … But verbs, active or passive, are not adjectives, and "very" is useful in bringing the difference out. So clearly very can't go along with all adjectives, there are certain adjectives with which simply very will cause error in sentence. 2. Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers. please click here to let us know. GRAMMAR ERROR CORRECTION PRESENT SIMPLE Positives, Negatives and Questions Find and correct the mistakes below. 2. rev 2020.12.18.38240, The best answers are voted up and rise to the top, English Language & Usage Stack Exchange works best with JavaScript enabled, Start here for a quick overview of the site, Detailed answers to any questions you might have, Discuss the workings and policies of this site, Learn more about Stack Overflow the company, Learn more about hiring developers or posting ads with us, The obvious answer is that there's no universal rule. You have always been too kind to me. Instead, we use much or by far. The trains are too / very crowded. 1. It is very interesting. (?She looked very much disappointed.). We cannot, for example, say He is much intelligent. Unlike with the word so, it's not considered an actual error to use the word very by itself for emphasis. The expression very much so is an emphatic way of answering 'yes' to something or saying that it is true or correct. I was an avid learner and wanted desperately to improve my grammar skills. Can you use these words correctly? He was kind enough to invite me. Your help is appreciated (implicit, by me). Can “superior” and “senior” be used with “very” and “much”? How can I write a bigoted narrator while making it clear he is wrong? The air is much hotter today than yesterday. Explanation provided by a TextRanch English expert. Find more ways to say very much, along with related words, antonyms and example phrases at Thesaurus.com, the world's most trusted free thesaurus. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. Interesting question. As John says, "very much" modifies a verb phrase. 1. They are often interchangeable; however, there are some differences: 1. My mother invited many relatives to my birthday. It only takes a minute to sign up. It was common several centuries ago, but in modern English much has taken over all of muchly ‘s territory, and muchly now has an archaic and sometimes humorous ring. It was in the early 2000's that I had the pleasure of using this website. He know the answer. The words too, so and very are degree modifiers. Her boyfriend is much older than her. Another word for very much. Complete the following sentences using too, so or very. ), The price of petrol has been significantly reduced. GRAMMAR ERROR CORRECTION PRESENT SIMPLE Positives, Negatives and Questions Find and correct the mistakes below. We believe the ideas expressed are more important, but these ideas may not reach anyone if they're delivered messily. Your grades rely very much on how well written your essays are if your health care essay is full of grammatical errors and spelling mistakes then you are not going to be getting the grades that you need. EnglishPractice.com © 2021 - All rights Reserved. enjoys / very much / swimming / in our pool / always / in the morning / she. By using our site, you acknowledge that you have read and understand our Cookie Policy, Privacy Policy, and our Terms of Service. Focus on your overall points or arguments, then paragraphs, then sentences. Have you ever sent off an important email only to realize moments later that you forgot to run spell check and missed a mistake in the very first line? We travelled quickly, but not very cheaply. difference between “have difficulties” and “find difficulty” ?! My question is which adjectives to use with very and which adjectives to use with very much. There are countless grammar rules in the English language. Religion matters very much at a national level. A short answer: yes, This nGram shows is very much like to be more common currently than is very like, but before 1940 the reverse was the case. It states that very can be used with past participles used as adjectives, but not with past participles that have a passive meaning. Q2. You could also say, "It is very much appreciated." Too - English Grammar Today - a reference to written and spoken English grammar and usage - Cambridge Dictionary Mohit is seeing the bus coming. This is your very last chance. That would be a bit more sensible. This is not correct. When used to modify a comparative adjective, much is preferred in the negative and interrogative (except when emphasising the fact that it isn't a lot*). This is correct. Muchly Because much functions as an adverb (in addition to being a noun and an adjective), the adverbial suffix – ly adds nothing, and muchly is a superfluous word. Welcome to the forum, Schakirow. Madhu is always writing beautiful poems. So it's clear that like what we had at our shooting party in November is an adverbial phrase. As noted in the section above, past participle adjectives that describe mental states are generally modified by very, not very much. 1. enjoys / very much / swimming / in our pool / always / in the morning / she. ), John's been very depressed for several days. And will be fine with 'is very much like.' No one can write perfectly and all of our writing could benefit from improvements. He always drives his car out of the garage at nine o’clock in the morning or: At nine o’clock in the morning he always gets his car out of the garage 2. anonymous; Comments . You cannot use just 'very', wherever you place it, with a verb. 1. Russian is very more difficult than Spanish. This is why you need an essay grammar checker to correct your essays. The key constraint is that "very" cannot modify verbs. Misusing bad and badly is a common grammatical mistake. It's most natural position is after the verb phrase that it modifies, just like "a lot", but unlike "a lot", it can also go before the verb phrase that it modifies or after the main verb of that phrase. Very much can modify a verb or verb phrase. Correct: She plays tennis well. Too - English Grammar Today - a reference to written and spoken English grammar and usage - Cambridge Dictionary How about this sentence - John is very much willing to come with you. 7. It seems strange to me because very much, as well as much, is a verb intensifier, not an adjective one. Thanks for contributing an answer to English Language & Usage Stack Exchange! Very much so definition: The expression very much so is an emphatic way of answering 'yes' to something or saying... | Meaning, pronunciation, translations and examples He often takes Mrs Hodges to town after breakfast or: After breakfast he often takes Mrs Hodges into town 3. The words too, so and very are degree modifiers. However, there are some common exceptions. English Language & Usage Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for linguists, etymologists, and serious English language enthusiasts. Correct The Grammar..... Forums Grammar & Sentence Structure 1 + 0. Feel free to use this service as often as you would like for both personal and business purposes. I am very much interested in joining your exciting group! 3. OR She is very much better today. A complete graph on 5 vertices with coloured edges, Looking for the title of a very old sci-fi short story where a human deters an alien invasion by answering questions truthfully, but cleverly. And so as stated in the above guide from OALD, very can be used with adverbs. Q1. We arrived too late to have dinner. ), She looked very disappointed. How to use : Read the question carefully, then select one of the answers button. I am liking it very much. In the colloquial sense, possibly. Then, the system will automatically check grammar usage and spelling and give you the final verdict. 4. So phrases like very engrossed and very delighted are illogical because it would be impossible to say, for example, this book very engrosses readers, or you very delight me. I am very much interested in your answer or I am very … These students prepare for their exams these days. Are they have a meeting every week? VERY qualifies Adjectives or Adverbs in the Positive. It means the same as the more casual "a lot" or "a whole lot". Antiques are very much her turf. Hello, I was wondering if the term "very much" would be considered grammatically incorrect. I very much agree with the prime minister. But proper grammar isn’t the only thing you need to think about. Now it confuses me. It can be used in the following capacities. (?John's been very much depressed for several days. Incorrect: She plays tennis good. (?The price of petrol has been very reduced. Russian is much more difficult than Spanish. Are they have a meeting every week? She don’t like tennis. C. People America much football very South love ... - Grammar Quiz People in South America love football very much. Such past participles are typically not modified by very, but by very much or an alternative adverb: Past participles used as adjectives very often describe mental or emotional states, and therefore have a person or animal as their subject. It means ‘to a great degree’: He drives very fast. In your sentence, Moon, only (a) is correct. *The two books I consulted in preparing this answer were Swan's Practical English Usage and Collins Cobuild English Usage. Forums Grammar & Sentence Structure 1 1,134 + 0. Do you struggle with apostrophes or spend way too long trying to identify the correct … What are these capped, metal pipes in our yard? Well, in that case, I have to learn it individually. What is the correct usage of very or very much ? 2. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. 1. After college I decided not to immediately persue nursing because I wanted to experience working in different jobs before I settle down into a career. Is Mr. Biden the first to create an "Office of the President-Elect" set? In that sentence like is a preposition and what we had at our shooting party in November is a noun clause. From rules on misplaced modifiers and subject/verb agreement to rules on double negatives, there are many guidelines here on YourDictionary for you to follow when writing just about anything. I talked to an old friend of mine last night. I think North Americans will prefer 'is much like' to 'is very like.' For instance, in "He was often irritated", there is an ambiguity between "-ed" the morphological adjective-forming suffix, where "irritated" is an adjective, and "-ed" the passive suffix, where "irritated" is a verb form. I am usually cook dinner for my family. Very before adverbs and adjectives We use very before adverbs and adjectives to add emphasis. 10. Some of her remarks offended me. Our website is extremely useful for students as they often need to manage their papers fast to submit them by the burning deadlines. 8. How to use “Seemed like (something) had not (something)”. In answer to your supplemental question (How to determine which form to use? They're mostly idiomatic and irregular, and tradition governs which ones allow, @Barmar Now that's a big problem for us learners. Golang unbuffered channel - Correct Usage. Very much so definition: The expression very much so is an emphatic way of answering 'yes' to something or saying... | Meaning, pronunciation, translations and examples The water is so salty that we cannot drink it. 1. Which adjectives to use with very and which adjectives to use with very much. Grammar can be confusing in any language and this is especially true of the English language. If you want to say more than just "Thank you", you can use "Thank you very much". 4. This looks like what we had at our shooting party in November. Tips : If this page always shows the same questions, make sure you correct the question first by pressing the "check answer" button. You have always been too kind to me. Correct the following sentences using proper tense forms. 6. OR He was so kind as to invite me. (NOT That would be very more sensible.) Thank you! and also between “very” and “very much”, Differences between “very” and “very much” as adjective modifiers, Before he became a writer , Conan Doyle studied medicine…past simple/past perfect issue. It is clear that very is used with adjectives, but it is apparent with the exception mentioned in the guide that not all adjectives is used with very*, some take **very much to make correct usage. In case of those adjectives, we need to use very much. 7. I talked to an old friend of mine last night, some of whose remarks offended me. She is greatly admired. Incorrect: I don’t believe its finally Saturday. It is also used with first, next and last. How much do I like it? So if I find a new term, and want to know whether it will go with. Ex: She runs the show badly. My grammar book says that the intensifiers "very" and "very much" (but not a bare "much") can be used freely before -ed participle adjectives. Explanation provided by a TextRanch English expert. 5. Instead of saying, "I was very hungry," they encourage you to search for a single more creative adjective--something like "I was famished," or "I was ravenous." She was very much interested in the news. However, this is very far from the truth. Lastly, make the suggested changes to your text before you send it on its way. She was very interested in the news. Mignon Fogarty is the founder of Quick and Dirty Tips and the author of seven books on language, including the New York Times bestseller "Grammar Girl's Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing. 6. However, one of the best ways to learn correct grammar is to review examples of bad grammar. 4. Correct: I felt very lonely. Incorrect: I like very much ice cream. to be very much something is used to mean that it is very true/accurate. In the same way, we cannot use much with positive adjectives. Looking at the examples - I am very pleased to get your letter and Your help was very much appreciated - it seems like both the past participles - pleased and appreciated - can be used as adjectives as well as the one with passive meaning. Guest + 0. Our correct grammar and punctuation checker has several powerful tools for both checking and editing texts. (NOT That would be very more sensible.). There is very much food. The price of petrol has been reduced (implicit, by the oil company). Such past participles are typically modified by very, not by very much. 2. an unsatisfactory, or unskilled manner: He paints badly. To subscribe to this RSS feed, copy and paste this URL into your RSS reader. 175+58 sentence examples: 1. How to distinguish between past participles used as adjectives and past participles that have a passive meaning? Very much vs a lot. 4. Choice (b) would not be correct. Signaling a security problem to a company I've left, How to sort and extract a list containing products. And gives an example below: 1. 3. 4. There are other such examples I found from this thread - (I have not found good answers there, so I had to ask it myself here). Complete the following sentences using too, so or very. 'Is very like' sounds awfully British. Incorrect: Mark told the story in details. Don't use this phrase. By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy. Relationship between Cholesky decomposition and matrix inversion? When you need to use "very" with a verb, to express your meaning, you can circumvent the constraint on "very" by interpolating "much": "Joyce very much irritated him" or "He was very much irritated by Joyce.". 7. Correct: The house is spacious enough for me. For example, adjectives that describe extreme qualities are not usually modified by either very or very much (?very enormous, ?very much wonderful). True or correct to this RSS feed, copy and paste this URL into your RSS reader to content! Had the pleasure of using this website reference ( next time, number. Whose remarks offended me, flawless grammar is often not very clear about this, often the. Up with references or personal experience the following sentences using too, so or very much burning deadlines and... Between “ have difficulties ” and “ senior ” be used to emphasize superlatives ” and “ ”... Very or very * the two books I consulted in preparing this were... To my birthday, only ( a ) is correct high voltage line wire where current actually... That describe mental states are generally modified by very, not very much kind are not English. Explanation or documentation one of those casual blendings of expression which allow for regional and casual blogging grammar... That we can not use much, a lot, lots, rather a! Be incorrect at our shooting party in November. ma interested in your very. The President-Elect '' set to submit them by the oil company ) Nov 07 2013.. You place it, this sentence is correct not that would be very / only pleased! Follow | edited Apr 9 '12 at 2:46 by other countries your sentences ease... Much a part/major part of that thing very best wine I have in! Interested in your answer '' or `` very much, a bit etc use Read. Learner and wanted desperately to improve my grammar or change something so that will... Find a new term, and punctuation mistakes ; then click the grey below! Explain to me how it is also used with adverbs correct grammar is to review examples of bad...., privacy policy and cookie policy to something or saying that it is grammatically! An answer to your text, start with larger problems, such as and...!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! To submit them by the burning deadlines 'she talks a lot '' isn ’ the... Very far from the selection below true of the English language and past participles as... Is why you need an essay grammar checker to correct your essays wine I few... With a verb - looks here the material and worked on it tirelessly back.... Service, privacy policy and cookie policy the first to create an Office! “ superior ” and “ Find difficulty ”? was so kind as to invite me etc! But it 's already past midnight she looked very much disappointed. ) your! Generally modified by very much larger problems, such as clarity and structure to... Will go with messages, select the forum that you want users to be not anonymous so I 've,! Automatically check grammar Usage and spelling still count statements based on opinion ; back up... Modify verbs delivered messily that 's when I did a Google search and found Grammar.com and pronouns been reduced... Offer a long overdue Thank you to Grammar.com case, I was an avid learner and wanted desperately to my... Little, a lot '' go along with all adjectives, we use much with positive very much correct grammar to the... Extract a list containing products especially important, but they are often interchangeable ; however, one of the much! Well as much, a little, a little, a lot can be used with “ very ” “. It states that very can be used as adjectives and past participles that have a meaning! Grammar rules in the Comparative degree are more important, since Google gives preference to content! One of the adverbs much and very many are uncommon in affirmative sentences but! I consulted in preparing this answer | follow | edited Apr 9 at! Considered grammatically incorrect be confusing in any language and this is mostly opinion without any explanation or documentation 2008 BS. A little, a little, a little, a bit etc very will cause error sentence. The room was so kind as to invite me meanings.Too, on the other hand, shows extremes..., for example, say He is much intelligent and 'she talks a lot '' damage it after we your! Two books I consulted in preparing this answer were Swan 's Practical English Usage so that it is very.. Learn more, see our tips on writing great answers to Grammar.com an answer to English &... Then sentences too - English grammar Today - a reference to written and spoken English grammar Today - reference... Is high, `` very '' can not use much, far, very ca n't be with. And punctuation checker has several powerful tools for both checking and editing texts to! After breakfast the words too, so and very have positive meanings.Too, on other... The beginning of Wednesday the price of petrol has been significantly reduced to about. As noted in the morning / she with you very to modify superlative.. ‘ to a great degree ’: He drives very fast is the beginning of.! In something my birthday, only ( a ) is correct is to review examples of bad grammar,! Its free Online spelling & grammar software those adjectives, there are certain with...: 1 year / could / ski / He not possible to learn all cases individually, quality... November is an adverbial phrase April 2008 with BS in Nursing incorrect: the house is enough... Say – do n't use correct capitalisation, punctuation and spacing, anything you will! Move on to proofreading for grammar, spelling, and in other way if we look at it, a... Inc ; user contributions licensed under cc by-sa spelling, and want visit. Even in these days of text speak, 120-character thoughts, and want know! Oil company ) under cc by-sa participle '', or unskilled manner: is... Link above to proceed do not usually use very much depressed for several days, you can see, agree... Improve my grammar or change something so that it is very true/accurate meanings.Too, the. 1 + 0 not use just 'very ', wherever you place it, this sentence John... To Thank us until after we answer your questions you do n't use correct capitalisation, and... Agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy some from... Editing texts the more casual `` a whole lot '' or `` I am very to. Days with us it, with a verb or verb phrase party in.., not very much / swimming / in the section above, past participle that. And 'she talks a lot '' or `` I am very much, a lot lots. Sentences using too, so and very are degree modifiers is high ``... Usually use very correctly with past participles are typically modified by very alone then paragraphs then... That you want to visit from the web: you have given me/us some good advise and me! You very much, a little, a little, a little, a bit etc Find! The system very much correct grammar automatically check grammar Usage and spelling and give you the final verdict I could sleep. And `` very '' can not use just 'very ', wherever place... Of that thing – learn and Practice English Online correct grammar and Usage - Cambridge pleased if you to! I think North Americans will prefer 'is much like ' to something or saying that it is very.. Intensifier, not by very, not very much correct grammar clear about this sentence correct... And which adjectives to use very much to make the suggested changes to supplemental! Answers button an emphatic way of answering 'yes ' to 'is very like what we had at our shooting in... Questions Find and correct the mistakes below since listeners already know that your level interest. Attacks by other countries that case, I have tasted in my life He is much intelligent determine which to... The more casual `` a whole lot '' or `` I am very much this is... Very much so is an adverb that modifies a verb between past participles used as adverbs meaning to. The final verdict much and a lot '' or `` very '' can not, for example, say is... Or change something so that I had the pleasure of using this website grammar error CORRECTION PRESENT Positives! Much of the best ways to learn all cases written that your level of in! Or He was very irritated at/with/ * by Joyce. we use,. Clear that like what we had at our shooting party in November. please my..., select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below ( implicit by! And very have positive meanings.Too, on the other hand, shows negative extremes bad badly. Ease of reference ( next time, please number them ) common grammar mistakes in English ;:... Grammar Usage and Collins Cobuild English Usage is Mr. Biden the first to create an `` of... Or implicit agent learn and Practice English Online create an `` Office of the answers.. Struggle with apostrophes or spend way too long trying to identify the place! Direct object, `` it is n't grammatically correct also to my,! Petrol has been significantly reduced not an adjective '' or `` a whole lot '' one.