Sandeep,
The idiomatic
However much scientists may agree is a proper way to begin a comparative sentence.
Much properly describes a quantity that cannot be counted (the amount that scientists agree) and the word
that is a relative pronoun that is necessary to begin the clause that describes the agreement. This is parallel to the second clause describing the agreement,
that this rise is...
The scientists can be counted and that "much" is used for uncountable nouns, and "most" or "many" is used for countable nouns.
For example:
"Don't pour too much water into my glass." ("Water" is uncountable, so we use "much.")
"Don't put too many pieces of broccoli on my plate." ("Pieces of broccoli" is countable, so we use "many.")
"Most castles in Ireland are very old." ("Castles" is countable, so we use "many.")
"There is too much rain in Ireland." ("Rain" is uncountable, so we use "much.").
But we're not describing the scientists with "however" here. We're describing the AMOUNT that scientists agree, which is not countable. It's a magnitude, not a number.
So the best way to remember this correct expression ("however much") is to use what you know about "most" vs. "much," and about "however." When "however" functions as an adverb, it means "in whatever manner" or "to whatever extent." So "however much" means "to whatever extent or magnitude," and "however much scientists agree" means "to whatever extent/magnitude scientists agree." Since the amount that scientists agree is not countable, we use "much," not "many."
"However most scientists agree" means "in whatever way most scientists agree." But we're talking about the amount they agree, not the manner in which they agree. So "however much" is the correct expression. And if we wanted to talk about the number of scientists instead of the extent of their agreement, we would use "many" because "scientists" are countable. "However many scientists agree" means "whatever the number of scientists that agree."
Hope this IDIOM ambiguity is clarified. Let me know if you have any issues.
sandeep_thaparianz wrote:I chose E because A has much scientists and much is used for uncountable things.
Pleas help y much is correct here?
