a colossal amount

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a colossal amount" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a very large quantity of something, often in contexts related to data, resources, or effort. Example: "The project required a colossal amount of funding to get off the ground."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Cloud based services demand a colossal amount of memory in order to satisfy their objectives.

Microprocessors and Microsystems

I have got to go on and deliver a colossal amount of stuff in London".

Independent

It feels as if there's still a colossal amount to do.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I owe Wenham a colossal amount, as indeed do many people.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"That's a colossal amount, and it's nearly all done without the use of technology," he said.

The New York Times

It costs una barbariedad – a colossal amount – to get to the first team and even more to stay there.

The Guardian - Sport

They eat a colossal amount of flies, aphids, wasps and other spiders, creatures that we deem pests as well.

The Guardian

Papers have got so big, [with] a colossal amount of comment and an ever-smaller amount of facts.

The Guardian

And once the Times throws the switch a colossal amount of current seems to flow through the whole system".

The New Yorker

It was a colossal amount of work, but work that was as much a part of my internship as the cool stuff that everyone else got to see.

Yale University

"We need to get to a situation where the U.S. doesn't lose us a colossal amount of money," Mr. Gulliver said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a colossal amount" to add emphasis when describing something of remarkably large size or quantity. It conveys a sense of impressiveness or overwhelm that a simpler phrase might not capture.

Common error

Avoid using "a colossal amount" when a simpler term like "a lot" or "much" would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound pompous or unnatural in everyday contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a colossal amount" functions as a determiner phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a very large quantity. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

23%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a colossal amount" is a grammatically correct and widely used expression to describe a very large quantity. According to Ludwig, it's suitable for various contexts, including news, science, and academic writing. While it effectively emphasizes scale, avoid overuse in simple contexts where a more common term would suffice. Consider alternatives like "a great deal" or "an enormous quantity" depending on the specific shade of meaning you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an enormous quantity

Highlights the extreme size, similar to "colossal" but more common.

a considerable quantity

Emphasizes the significance or noteworthiness of the amount, not just its size.

a substantial volume

Focuses on the sheer size and extent of something, often used for physical quantities.

a hefty amount

Suggests a large and weighty amount, often used for money or resources.

a great deal

A more informal way to indicate a large amount, suitable for everyday conversation.

a significant proportion

Highlights the relationship between a part and the whole, emphasizing importance.

a wealth of

Emphasizes the abundance and richness of something, often used for information or resources.

a mountain of

Uses a metaphor to describe an overwhelming quantity.

a sea of

Implies a vast and seemingly endless expanse of something.

a proliferation of

Focuses on the rapid increase and spread of something.

FAQs

How can I use "a colossal amount" in a sentence?

You can use "a colossal amount" to describe something that is very large in quantity or size. For example, "The project required "a colossal amount" of funding" or "They consumed "a colossal amount" of resources."

What are some alternatives to "a colossal amount"?

Some alternatives include "a great deal", "a substantial volume", "a large quantity", or "an enormous quantity". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "a colossal amount" in formal writing?

Yes, "a colossal amount" is suitable for formal writing. While it conveys emphasis, it remains professional and grammatically correct.

What is the difference between "a colossal amount" and "a large amount"?

"A colossal amount" emphasizes the immense size or quantity more strongly than "a large amount". "Colossal" implies something exceptionally big.