"a lot of fun" vs "very fun"

[Hunnybunny]

I need your help once again. My Korean students are fond of using this phrase: "very fun". I was wondering if it's actually right. I'm more used to saying "a lot of fun". Which is more correct?

[Yankee]

Hi Hunnybunny

Fun is recognized in dictionaries not only as a noun, but also as an adjective, and it is also used as an adjective. But I would call a usage such as "very fun" or "really fun" informal. You should avoid it in formal English.

Amy
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"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." ~ Abraham Lincoln

[Hunnybunny]

Thanks, Ms. Amy. I'll tell my Korean students. : )

[Soiii]

Hi, I'm a Korean student.

I was wondering usage of "a lot of fun" and "funny".
When I want to describe my friend who makes people laugh and happy, Which one should I use ?

1) She is a lot of fun.
2) She is very funny.

I've heard that if I say "She is very funny", it would be used in a negative way.
Is it right?

[Beeesneees]

You could use either to describe your friend, though you need to be sure that if you describe her as 'funny' the people you are speaking to don't think you mean that she is strange.

'She is very funny' does not have to be negative at all.
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Cheers m' dears!

[Jamie (K)]

"Very funny" means very comical. It can be used in a positive or negative way.
"A lot of fun" means that she is entertaining, so people enjoy their time with her.

"Funny" can also mean "strange", in a negative way, but not with "very". So "very funny" actually means comical, and not strange.

[Beeesneees]

In the UK, use of very does not make a difference to the meaning. 'Very funny' can equally mean 'very strange' or 'very entertaining/amusing/comical'.
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Cheers m' dears!

[Jamie (K)]

For us, "very funny" means actually funny. To indicate strange we would usually use "rather", and "quite" can indicate either one.