a bulk of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a bulk of" is correct and can be used in written English.
It typically indicates a large quantity of something and is often used in a figurative sense. For example, you could say, "A bulk of the students failed the exam."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Ten miles off stands a bulk of dark, brooding mountains.

The New York Times - Travel

Higher earners should shoulder a bulk of the burden.

The Economist

A bulk of the CyberRays' ball possession usually goes through Chastain.

The New York Times - Sports

"Statistics constitute a bulk of information that is surprisingly badly organised," he says.

The Economist

The average berf in the arctic has a bulk of about 50 million cubic feet & weighs a million & a half tons; south of Newfoundland, the average berg has a bulk of 5 million cubic feet & weight of 150 tons.

The New Yorker

A tighter temporal focus might have made for a novel that more easily assimilates such a bulk of material.

The Guardian - Books

This is the technology that makes Skype possible and is now used by a bulk of the country's telephone landlines.

The Washington Post

But the Giants have an aging core, and a bulk of their payroll is committed to bloated contracts.

The Washington Post

The North Korean government takes back a bulk of the wages earned by its 50,000 workers.

The Washington Post

Two pins indent the surface of a bulk of soft tissue and are separated laterally.

International Journal of Mechanical Sciences

Conventionally, a bulk of medical capsules (not every capsule) are sampled off-line for quality control.

Measurement

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance clarity, especially in formal writing, consider replacing "a bulk of" with more precise quantitative expressions like "the majority of" or "a significant portion of" where appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "a bulk of" with singular countable nouns. "A bulk of the book" is incorrect; instead, use "a large part of the book" or "most of the book".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a bulk of" functions as a determiner modifying a noun phrase. It indicates a large quantity or major portion of something. Ludwig shows that this phrase is used to quantify both countable and uncountable nouns, denoting a significant amount or share.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

29%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a bulk of" is a versatile phrase used to denote a large portion or quantity. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across diverse contexts, particularly in news, media, and scientific writing. While the phrase holds a neutral register suitable for professional communication, more formal alternatives can be used for strictly academic works. When using "a bulk of", ensure grammatical correctness by using it with nouns that appropriately express a measurable quantity or mass. To avoid vagueness, consider replacing the phrase with more precise quantitative expressions when possible. "A bulk of" is frequently used as a determiner that emphasizes the magnitude of items.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

most of

A more concise way to express that the majority is implied.

a majority of

Indicates more than half, focusing on numerical superiority rather than sheer volume.

a large portion of

Emphasizes a considerable segment or share of a whole.

a significant amount of

Highlights the importance or impact of the quantity.

a great deal of

Suggests a large quantity, often used for uncountable nouns.

a substantial part of

Implies that it is not only big but also important.

the greater part of

Highlights which part is bigger or larger than the others.

a good deal of

Suggests a considerable quantity.

a high proportion of

Used to emphasize the ratio.

a considerable quantity of

Expresses a large amount of something.

FAQs

How can I use "a bulk of" in a sentence?

You can use "a bulk of" to indicate a large portion or quantity of something, as in "a bulk of the arrests occurred Tuesday night" or "a bulk of my day is spent doling out advice on the topic".

What phrases can I use instead of "a bulk of"?

Alternatives include "a majority of", "a large portion of", or "a significant amount of", depending on the specific context and desired nuance.

Is "a bulk of" formal or informal?

"A bulk of" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, in highly formal writing, consider using more precise or sophisticated alternatives like "a substantial portion of".

When is it inappropriate to use "a bulk of"?

Avoid using "a bulk of" when referring to individual items or singular countable nouns. It's more suitable for quantities, masses, or collections. For instance, avoid saying "a bulk of the student"; instead, use "most of the students" or "a majority of the students".