核心问题
He doesn't drink very much. 请问 very much 在句中是充当状语, 还是充当宾语呢?
词典解答
这个句子本身是有歧义的。因为 much 既可用作代词(充当主语或宾语)，也可用作副词(充当状语)。所以，可以把 very much 理解为 drink 的宾语(He doesn't drink a very large amount. = 他喝得不很多)，也可以理解为 drink 的状语(He doesn't drink very often. = 他不常常喝酒)。下面是 much 用作代词(充当主语或宾语)或副词的一些实例：
-
I have not time to do much. (Voynich) (代词) 我没有时间来做许多事情。
-
You're asking too much. (Snow) (代词) 你问得太多了。
-
Do you see him much? (ALD) (副词) 你经常见到他吗?
-
He doesn't swim much. (Palmer) (副词) 他不经常游泳。