ENGLISH
REFERENCE

as much as

fixed phr..
B1 Intermediate Oxford

fixed phr.. used to say that two things are equal in amount or degree, or to show that something is almost true.

fixed phr.. a comparative construction used to establish equality of quantity or extent; it also functions as a concessive conjunction or an adverbial of approximation.


SIMPLE

I love tea as much as I love coffee.

CONTEXTUAL

He admitted as much when he finally confessed that he had forgotten to send the invitation.

COMPLEX

As much as she wanted to accept the promotion, she knew the increased travel requirements would strain her family life.

Usage

often followed by a noun, a clause, or used alone at the end of a sentence to mean 'the same thing'.

Teaching tip

highlight the difference between the literal comparison of quantity and the abstract use meaning 'even though' or 'essentially'; the latter is common in B2+ writing.

Pitfall

I like this as much than that.I like this as much as that.comparisons of equality always use the 'as... as' structure, never 'as... than'.

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