make much of an impression

[Taka]

The sentence:

It is not solely a matter of facility in speaking and understanding English that determines the effectiveness of a Japanese at a conference table, but it is hard to imagine a man making much of an impression if he is totally dependent on interpreters.

My book interprets "making much of an impression" as "thinking an impression is important", considering "make much of" as an idiom meaning "to treat as of great importance". I don't think it makes sense at all. My interpretation is like "strongly impressing others" or "being really impressive"; it's just "making much of an impression".

Which interpretation is correct?

[Tdol]

I would interpret it in the same way as you. Their interpretation doesn't work here for me, though if I had to I'd look at is as 'make much of' being 'understand', but I can't see why this interpretation would be the natural one to go for.

[Taka]

Thank you, tdol. :)
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P.S Did you mean to say "understood" instead of "understand" here?:

though if I had to I'd look at is as 'make much of' being 'understand',

[Tdol]

Because of the inverted commas, it's not grammatically dependent on 'being', so I used thje form that is identical to 'make much'.

[Taka]

Because of the inverted commas, it's not grammatically dependent on 'being', so I used thje form that is identical to 'make much'.

Ah! So did you mean to say " though if I had to I'd look at it as 'make much of' being 'understand'"?

[Tdol]

Yep.

[Taka]

Now, I got it!

Thanks! :D

[Tdol]

Sorry- I'm a clumsy typist.

[Taka]

Sorry- I'm a clumsy typist.

That's OK. Your advice is precious. :wink:

[blacknomi]

My book interprets........

Can I know what the book you are fighting with? :wink: