Use of very

[nathesh2011]

Is "very" used properly in the following sentence?


There is very less sugar in that jar.

[Rover_KE]

No.

[Barb_D]

Well ,the "very" might be right, but the "less" might be wrong.

Jar A has 8 cups of sugar. Jar B has 2 cups of sugar. There is MUCH less sugar in Jar B.

The jar has about a tablespoon of sugar. There is very LITTLE sugar in the jar.

[nathesh2011]

Well ,the "very" might be right, but the "less" might be wrong.

Jar A has 8 cups of sugar. Jar B has 2 cups of sugar. There is MUCH less sugar in Jar B.

The jar has about a tablespoon of sugar. There is very LITTLE sugar in the jar.

May I know why less is inappropriate in the above sentence?

[Bennevis]

May I know why less is inappropriate in the above sentence?

"very less" doesn't sound OK. You can say "There is a lot less sugar..." or go with what some forumers have suggested above.

[Barb_D]

Less is a comparison.

There is less milk than there is soda.
There is less of a crowd in this room than in that room, so let's stay here.

Little shows the "smallness" of the number/amount.

I have little money. There is little chance. There is little milk.