Hi teachers,
Well, of all the nerve, she thought. What does “of all the nerve” mean?
I am very pleased/delighted etc. Incorrect
I was reading in a book that “very” can’t be used before such words who are made by the third form of the verb. We should use “very much or much” before such words. If it is so, could you please tell me some common words.
Many thanks.
‘the nerve’ in this sense means ‘the rudeness/cheek/insolence/impudence to do something that you know will upset other people’.
‘of all the nerve’ is a phrase used to indicate that someone has done such a thing. It’s an expression of indignation at the actions or words of that person.
It’s a little like the British term ‘what a cheek’.’
It’s true that ‘very’ is not used with some ‘third form verbs’, but the rule does not hold true for all verbs. For example: there’s nothing wrong with saying
‘I am very pleased’
The suggestion to use ‘I am very much…’ instead for these verbs does not always make good sense either. If anything, it often makes even less sense. We would not say ‘I am very much pleased’ or ‘II am very much delighted’. However, we could say ‘I am very much afraid that…’
Thank you very much.
“Very” can be used before “pleased and tired” but not before “surprised, delighted”, right?