Which are the differences in meaning and usage between the two expressions "much too [something]" and the most common "too much [something]"? Are they completely interchangeable?
i.e.: "much too wise" vs "too much wise"
Which are the differences in meaning and usage between the two expressions "much too [something]" and the most common "too much [something]"? Are they completely interchangeable?
i.e.: "much too wise" vs "too much wise"
Too much modifies a noun, a verb, or an adverb, and much too modifies an adjective or adverb.
No, they are not completely interchangeable instead of that they are completely different in grammar .
Too much is an adjective which explains the quality of the noun.
Example:
There is too much sugar in my coffee.
In the above example sugar is noun for which we use the adjective too much.
Much too is an adverb which specifically explains the quality of adjective
Example :
My coffee is much too hot.
In above example hot is an adjective that's why we use much too which is an adverb to explain it.
consider the following phrase:
too big.
"too" gives the adjective a negative meaning. Simply, we use "so", "very", and "too" + adjectives to make them seem stronger. This is while "so" gives the adjective a positive meaning and "too" a negative one. Now, "much" is for more emphasis, like when we say "too much expensive".
On the other hand, "much too" is different. "much" in such a case means "nearly". When one says, "much too expensive" it means "nearly too expensive" yet it is really not that expensive.
:-)