Can we use very before a noun?

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moonlike

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Hi
I've seen "I've got very useful books". However the use of "very" before noun not a noun phrase is odd to me, for example "I have very books". Does it sound natural to you?
Thanks a lot.
 

BobK

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Not normally, but there are some (mostly proper) nouns that can, informally. I've heard, for example, 'She's very Edinburgh' (meaning that her attitude and outlook and education and wit and sensibilities are typical of people in that city). But you can't just use any proper noun. I've never heard, for example, 'very London'. So it's probably safest for a student to avoid this construction; just be aware that you may hear native speakers use it occasionally. ;-)

b
 
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