[Grammar] as much as/ as a lot as

Status
Not open for further replies.

thebestwork

New member
Joined
Jul 27, 2010
Member Type
English Teacher
He eats as much as I.

instead of this sentence, can i use He easts as a lot as I?:?:
 

Atchan

Key Member
Joined
Apr 30, 2010
Member Type
Student or Learner
Native Language
Somali
Home Country
Somalia
Current Location
Saudi Arabia
Last edited:

sarat_106

Key Member
Joined
Mar 19, 2008
Member Type
English Teacher
Native Language
Oriya
Home Country
India
Current Location
India
He eats as much as I.

instead of this sentence, can i use He easts as a lot as I?:?:

The first one is correct. You can not replace ‘much’ with ‘a lot’’
As… as is an idiomatic expression You need an adjective to be placed in between the construction 'as ... as'; as:
as black as pitch, as busy as a bee, as clear as crystal.

A lot is two words, so it is a phrase, which can be used as noun, adverb and some times as adjective.
 

crazYgeeK

Member
Joined
Jun 9, 2010
Member Type
Student or Learner
Native Language
Vietnamese
Home Country
Vietnam
Current Location
Vietnam
The first one is correct. You can not replace ‘much’ with ‘a lot’’
As… as is an idiomatic expression You need an adjective to be placed in between the construction 'as ... as'; as:
as black as pitch, as busy as a bee, as clear as crystal.

A lot is two words, so it is a phrase, which can be used as noun, adverb and some times as adjective.

First, I think an adverb can be placed between as...as, not only adjectives.
Second, It seems that as you said, "a lot" can't stand for "much" because it is a phrase of two words, can it ?

I think the reason is that "a lot" is neither adjective nor adverb, it is usually used with "of".
Please explain more and if possible show some examples.
Thank you !
 

sarat_106

Key Member
Joined
Mar 19, 2008
Member Type
English Teacher
Native Language
Oriya
Home Country
India
Current Location
India
First, I think an adverb can be placed between as...as, not only adjectives.



Yes, I agree. This structure is used to measure and compare things that are of similar in nature. In this construction, the first as functions as an adverb which modifies usually an adjective but sometimes an adverb following it. The second as functions as a preposition when it relates to the following noun or pronoun.
  • The meal was as good as the conversation.
  • She spoke as slowly as she could
Second, It seems that as you said, "a lot" can't stand for "much" because it is a phrase of two words, can it ?

I think the reason is that "a lot" is neither adjective nor adverb, it is usually used with "of".
Please explain more and if possible show some examples.
It is used as an adverb and usually placed at the end.
I enjoy swimming a lot.
Mary seems to travel a lot.

Thank you !

A lot of is a phrase uusually used as adjective and placed before a countable noun as: A lot of trees. A lot of books.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top