much of the country

[navi tasan]

1) Much of the country does not even know who he is.

Would you say that sentence means that more than half of the country does not even know who he is?

'Much' means a large amount. Well, forty percent or even thirty percent could be a large amount...

I think '1' implies way more than half of the country doesn't even know who he is, but I am not sure at all.

Gratefully,
Navi

 

[emsr2d2]

It doesn't have a specific meaning as far as a proportion or ratio goes.

 

[jutfrank]

No, there's no implication of more than half. The word much just means 'a significant proportion', which is subjective to the speaker's evaluation.

The word much is not like the word most, which can be objectively quantified in the way you mention.

 

[teechar]

I agree that it doesn't have an actual threshold point, but it usually refers to a substantial proportion of something. In other words, it would be unusual to use it for, say, 30% or below.

 

[Tdol]

You could use much/most for 80% but only much for 40%. If 40% aren't sure who the leader of the opposition is, that is much for me.