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too much and too much of

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Believer  #240307  Tue, 27 Jun 06 12:18 AM

I was looking at phrases like "too much information" and "too many books" and began to wonder if I can twick a little and say "too much of the information" and "too many of the books" although the contexts they would create might differ. Please tell me the contexts I can use them.

too much of the information vs. too much information

too many of the books vs. too many books 

  
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MrPedantic  #240325  Tue, 27 Jun 06 12:56 AM

Hello Believer

They have slightly different meanings:

1. Too much information is inaccurate.

— this is a statement about information in general.

2. Too much of the information is inaccurate.

— this is a statement about a particular body of information (perhaps the information in a government leaflet).

3. Too many books end happily.

— likewise, this is a general statement.

4. Too many of the books end happily.

— again, a statement about a particular set of books (perhaps a collection of hospital romances).

MrP

  
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