Cambridge Grammar of English Hardback with cd-rom a comprehensive Guide

Premodification of comparatives

466c

A lot, far, much 

To indicate a much greater degree on the scale of comparison, premodifiying

adverbs such as a lot, far, much and somewhat are used. The most informal and

commonly used in speech is a lot:

Joan’s been 

a lot happier since she moved to London, hasn’t she?

The film was actually 

far more entertaining than the review suggested.

No one mentioned that I would get 

much less money and would have to work

somewhat harder.

A bit, rather, slightly 

To indicate a small degree on the scale of comparison, items like a bit, rather,

slightly

are used. The most informal of these is a bit, which is very common in

conversation:

I think the coast is probably 

a bit cooler at this time of the year.

I think we’re 

rather more broadminded nowadays, certainly in comparison to

the last generation.

It’s only 

slightly less humid here than in Sri Lanka.

A–Z

27 Bit, a bit (of)