MUCH qualifies Adjectives or Adverbs in the Comparative Degree.
VERY qualifies Adjectives or Adverbs in the Positive.
1. The air is much hotter today than yesterday.
2. We travelled quickly, but not very cheaply.
MUCH qualifies Past Participles.
VERY qualifies Present Participles.
1. I was much surprised at hearing the news.
2. This news is very perplexing.
Modern English usage sanctions the use of the following expressions.
1. I was very pleased to hear this.
2. Here pleased can be replaced by glad or happy.
1. I was much pleased with her letter.
2. Here glad or happy cannot be substituted for pleased.
1. I am very tired.
2. She was very contented with her lot.
3. He was very drunk.
4. Her tone was very threatening.
5. The seating accommodation was very limited.