Page 636 - Practical English Usage 3ed - Michael Swan, Oxford

7 one object or two
Some verbs can be followed by either a direct object, or an indirect object, or
both.
I asked John. I asked a question. I asked John a question. Other verbs like this include teach, tell, pay, show, sing, play and write. Note that when sing, play and write have no direct object, we put to before the indirect object. Compare:
- Sing her a song.
Sing to her. (NOT Sing hel'.)
- Write me a letter.
Write to me when you get home.
(More common than Write me ... in standard British English.)
For structures with object complements (e.g. They made him captain), see 607.
611 very and very much
1 adjectives and adverbs: vel}' kind, vel}' quickly
We use very, not very much, before adjectives and adverbs. You're very kind. (NOT Ylm're tJery much leinti.)
The situation is very serious. (NOT ••• IIery mueh seri6ftS.) I came very quickly. (NOT ••• tJery mtteli tfl:tielely .)
However, very much is used before comparatives.
I'm very much happier in my new job. (NOT••• tJery hetppier ...)
For very with superlatives (very first. very best etc). see 140.4. For the very same. see 503.
2 not vel}'
Not very expresses quite a low degree.
It's not very warm - you'd better take a coat. That meal wasn't very expensive. (= quite cheap.)
Note that little cannot be used in this way.
He's not very imaginative. (NOT He's little inltlgilttltifle.)
3 past participles: vel}' much loved, vel}' worried
Before past participles we normally use very much.
She was very much loved by her grandchildren. (NOT She I:tItlS fiery loved.) Journey times will be very much reduced by the new road. (NOT •••;JeFf
l'edr:teetl ...)
But we use very with some past participles that are used as adjectives. For details, see 410.4.
I'm very worrUtd about Angela. (NOT ••• IIery mtteli W6rrietl ...)
We were very surprised when Pete passed his exam. (More common than
... very much surprised . ..)
4 vel}' much (adverb)
Very much can be an adverb.
We very much enjoyed the party. (NOT We IIery e,tjttyetl.)
very and very much 611
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