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How vs. how much as an intensifier

English Language & Usage Asked by Mori on July 17, 2021

Here’s an exclamation:

How you’ve grown!

And here’s what how means according to the Oxford dictionary:

used to express a strong feeling such as surprise about the extent of something

Can we come to the conclusion that the above exclamation was originally "How much you’ve grown!", which has been simplified during history of English language?

Here’s a similar case from Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English:

How do you like living in London (=how much do you like it)?

One Answer

Can we come to the conclusion that the above exclamation was originally "How much you've grown!",

No.

How is an adverb. Its meaning, in this context, is as shown below,

Thus in the expression of surprise, "How you have grown!" = "to what an extent you have grown!"

OED:

7.a. In what a way! to what an extent or degree!

1808 W. Scott Marmion iii. vi. 139 How pale his cheek, his eye how bright.

1899 N.E.D. at How Mod. colloq. How you do like to tease one!

11. Chiefly qualifying an adjective or adverb (also with verb like, etc.): To what extent; in what degree.

1891 E. Peacock Narcissa Brendon I. 11 You know how small my estate is.

Correct answer by Greybeard on July 17, 2021

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