has much to be proud of

[Nightmare85]

Hello,
A reputation comment says, "User has much to be proud of."
Shouldn't it be, "User has a lot to be proud of." :?:
It's not a question nor a negative statement.

Cheers!

 

[Barb_D]

In this case, it's okay the way it is.

As you say, it's more common in the negative -- I haven't had much to each -- but "much to be proud of" is quite idiomatic. Your version is fine too!

 

[BobK]

In this case, it's okay the way it is.

As you say, it's more common in the negative -- I haven't had much to each -- but "much to be proud of" is quite idiomatic. Your version is fine too!

:up: It's the sort of idiomatic, archaic, rule-breaker that our late-lamented friend so dislikes! My father, rather than 'Thank you' used to say 'Much obliged' - or even 'I'm much obliged to you' - strangely reminiscent of the Portuguese Muito obrigado.

The 'Only questions and negatives' "rule" is an over-simplification.

b

 

[Nightmare85]

Thanks, guys.

I must say I wrote the "easy rule".
Of course much can be used in positive sentences, like:
I feel much lighter.
My new car is much faster.
I have much to do. -> Maybe correct?!
I have much water. -> Not correct in my opinion!

The sentence I wrote in my 1st post is not that sort, though.
But you answered my question :up:

Cheers!

 

[Heterological]

Thanks, guys.

I must say I wrote the "easy rule".
Of course much can be used in positive sentences, like:
I feel much lighter.
My new car is much faster.
I have much to do. -> Maybe correct?!
I have much water. -> Not correct in my opinion!

The sentence I wrote in my 1st post is not that sort, though.
But you answered my question :up:

Cheers!

You've got a good handle on the use of "much," it seems. Your first two sentences are absolutely correct and perfectly natural. Your third sentence would work, though it sounds a bit whimsical and/or formal, if that makes sense; it would be completely unremarkable if you added "so" before "much." The fourth sentence, as you've surmised, is not correct.

 

[crazYgeeK]

How can we correct the fourth sentence ?

 

[Nightmare85]

How can we correct the fourth sentence ?

I have a lot of water. :up:

Cheers!

 

[BobK]

'I have plenty of/lots of/gallons of water'. That "gallons" is hyperbolic - people often say 'gallons' when they just mean 'centilitres'. (Another hyperbolical word often used - in Br Eng - with liquid is 'awash': "More tea?" /"No thanks, I'm awash!"

b

 

[emsr2d2]

You've got a good handle on the use of "much," it seems. Your first two sentences are absolutely correct and perfectly natural. Your third sentence would work, though it sounds a bit whimsical and/or formal, if that makes sense; it would be completely unremarkable if you added "so" before "much." The fourth sentence, as you've surmised, is not correct.

It's odd but true that "much" sometimes only sounds right with a modifier (intensifier?).

I've got so much to do.
He's got too much to do.
I did way too much yesterday.
There's far too much work to do.

In the interrogative, it sounds OK on its own:

Have you got much to do?
Was there much to see?