a big amount of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'a big amount of' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a large quantity of something. For example, "He had a big amount of money saved in his savings account."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

That's a big amount of money".

The New Yorker

"And there's a big amount of fear.

The Guardian

From my side there is a big amount of respect.

The Guardian - Sport

His misjudgment cost us a big amount of points".

The Guardian - Sport

"We don't have such a big amount of free time.

The New York Times - Sports

"It is a big amount of money, no matter how you slice it," Doubleday said.

The New York Times - Sports

"I worked in the laundry room, next to a big amount of laundry, on a laptop," she recalled.

The New York Times

"Years ago, you could never imagine such a big amount of embezzled money would be audited and then publicized".

The New York Times

We spend a big amount of money, and most people figure they don't get a good return.

The New York Times

And they tell you to go to the Igboezuo" — the Igbo district — "and then a man pays a big amount of money.

The New Yorker

"They gave us a big amount of money," he said, adding, "We said the building is not just brick and concrete, and we said it's a work.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a big amount of" when you want to emphasize the largeness of a quantity in a general sense. For more formal contexts, consider "a substantial amount of" or "a significant quantity of".

Common error

While "a big amount of" is acceptable, it can sound less formal than alternatives like "a significant quantity of" or "a substantial amount of". Be mindful of your audience and the overall tone of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a big amount of" functions as a determiner phrase specifying the quantity of a noun. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s a common way to describe a large quantity of something. It is typically followed by an uncountable noun or a plural countable noun.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

39%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a big amount of" is a grammatically correct and widely used phrase to indicate a large quantity or portion. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While it is common across various contexts, including news, science, and general writing, it's important to consider the formality of your writing and choose alternatives like "substantial amount of" or "significant quantity of" for more formal settings. The phrase functions as a determiner and serves to quantify the noun it modifies.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a large quantity of

Replaces 'amount' with 'quantity', emphasizing the countable aspect.

a significant quantity of

Adds emphasis on the importance or impact of the quantity.

a considerable quantity of

Indicates the quantity is worth noting or paying attention to.

a substantial amount of

Implies the quantity is large and has a noticeable effect.

a sizable portion of

Suggests the quantity is a significant fraction of a whole.

a generous quantity of

Indicates an ample or plentiful quantity, often with a positive connotation.

a plentiful supply of

Emphasizes the availability and abundance of something.

a vast quantity of

Highlights the immensity of the quantity.

an extensive supply of

Suggests a wide-ranging or far-reaching availability of something.

a profusion of

Implies an overabundance or extravagance in quantity.

FAQs

What does "a big amount of" mean?

The phrase "a big amount of" means a large quantity or considerable portion of something. It's used to indicate that there is a significant quantity of something, often more than expected or necessary.

How can I use "a big amount of" in a sentence?

You can use "a big amount of" to describe various things. For example, "He invested "a big amount of money" in the stock market", or "There was "a big amount of data" to analyze".

What are some alternatives to "a big amount of"?

Alternatives to "a big amount of" include "a large quantity of", "a substantial amount of", or "a significant quantity of". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to use "amount" or "quantity" after "a big"?

Both "amount" and "quantity" can be used after "a big", but "amount" is generally used for things that cannot be counted individually (e.g., "a big amount of water"), while "quantity" is used for things that can be counted (e.g., "a big quantity of apples").