A mountain of data

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "A mountain of data" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a large volume of data that is overwhelming or difficult to manage. Example: "The research team was faced with a mountain of data that needed to be analyzed before the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

For many people, a "mountain of data" evokes a heaping pile of unorganized information.

The New York Times - Science

Google has a mountain of data based on how people search.

The New York Times - Tech

So, after sorting through a mountain of data, Glaeser decided that the housing crisis was man-made.

The New York Times - Magazine

Greene's team has amassed a mountain of data derived from study participants solving moral dilemmas while in brain scanners.

University of California, Berkeley

"We'll leave behind a mountain of data and mixed in with junk about stuff we've sold on eBay will be photos of our kids.

The Guardian

It is one thing to simply assert that you don't choose to believe the science, in spite of a mountain of data supporting it.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

With AI, you don't have to explain: you just give a mountain of real data to a computer and let it learn.

The Guardian - Tech

"The last few months have brought a mountain of new data, including an M.I.T study suggesting that the planet could be warming much faster than previously thought.

The New York Times

Krumholz, the Harold H. Hines Jr. Professor of Medicine, director of the Yale Open Data Access Project, and faculty co-director of the Yale Center for Research Computing, said nurses' notes, radiology reports, and so many other documents have created a mountain of unstructured data in medicine.

Yale University

One involves collecting a mountain of patient data from six hospitals in Kathmandu Valley that she hopes will reveal insights into the association between ambient particulate matter and hospital admissions as well as susceptibility based on individual and community characteristics.

Yale University

Speaking to reporters at the Pentagon, Mr. Gates portrayed the documents as "a mountain of raw data and individual impressions, most several years old" that offered little insight into current policies and events.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a mountain of data" to vividly illustrate a situation where large amounts of information are present, often implying a challenge in processing or understanding it. For example, when discussing research findings or the capabilities of AI systems, this phrase can effectively convey the scale of the data involved.

Common error

Avoid using "a mountain of data" when a simpler, more manageable dataset is involved. This phrase suggests an overwhelming quantity, so reserve it for genuinely large and complex situations to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a mountain of data" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is widely accepted and used in English. For example, "Google has a mountain of data based on how people search."

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

18%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a mountain of data" is a commonly used and grammatically correct expression for describing a large, often overwhelming, amount of information. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, academia, and science, to emphasize the scale of data involved in analysis, research, or technology. While versatile, it's important to ensure the phrase accurately reflects the quantity of data, avoiding its use for smaller, more manageable datasets. Alternatives like "a wealth of data" or "a large volume of data" can offer nuanced variations to fit specific situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a wealth of data

Emphasizes the richness and value of the data rather than its overwhelming quantity.

an abundance of data

Highlights the plentiful and overflowing nature of the data.

a large volume of data

Focuses directly on the substantial quantity of data.

a vast amount of data

Stresses the immensity and scale of the data.

a sea of data

Uses a metaphorical comparison to an ocean, suggesting vastness and potential challenges in navigating the data.

a deluge of data

Implies a sudden and overwhelming influx of data.

a data overload

Highlights the excessive amount of data leading to potential difficulties in processing.

extensive data sets

Focuses on comprehensive collections of data, often used in research contexts.

comprehensive data

Indicates that the data is complete and covers all relevant aspects.

an ocean of information

Uses a metaphorical comparison to highlight the scale of available information, which includes data.

FAQs

How can I use "a mountain of data" in a sentence?

You can use "a mountain of data" to describe a large and overwhelming amount of information that needs to be analyzed or processed. For example: "The research team faced "a mountain of data" after the experiment."

What are some alternatives to "a mountain of data"?

Some alternatives to "a mountain of data" include "a wealth of data", "an abundance of data", or "a large volume of data", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "a mountain of data" in formal writing?

Yes, "a mountain of data" is generally appropriate for formal writing, especially when describing the challenges of dealing with extensive datasets. However, consider alternatives like "extensive data sets" if you prefer a more technical tone.

What does "a mountain of data" imply about the data itself?

"A mountain of data" suggests that the data is not only large in quantity but also potentially difficult to manage, analyze, or understand due to its sheer volume. It often implies a need for sophisticated tools or methods to extract meaningful insights.