Usage Note: In general usage very is not used alone to modify a past participle. Thus, we may say of a book that it has been very much praised or very much criticized (where very modifies the adverb much), but not that it has been very praised or very criticized. However, many past participle forms do double duty as adjectives, in which case modification by very or by analogous adverbs such as quite is acceptable, as in a very celebrated singer or a performance that was quite polished. In some cases there is disagreement as to whether a particular participle can be used properly as an adjective. In the past, critics have objected to the use of very by itself with delighted, interested, annoyed, pleased, disappointed, and irritated. All of these words are now well established as adjectives, however, as indicated by the fact that they are used attributively, that is, in juxtaposition to a noun they modify, as in a delighted audience, a pleased look, a disappointed young man. But the situation is not always clear. Some speakers accept phrases such as very appreciated, very astonished, or very heartened, while others prefer alternatives using very much. Some participles can be treated as adjectives in one sense but not another, as in a very inflated reputation but not a very inflated tire. As a result, there is no sure way to tell which participles can be modified by a bare very. When in doubt, using very much is generally correct.