a colossal amount of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a colossal amount of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a very large quantity of something, often in a context where the size or extent is significant. Example: "The project required a colossal amount of resources to complete on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

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

Independent

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

"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

I've lived on farms and know what a colossal amount of work, stress and paperwork is involved in looking after livestock.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

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

The New York Times

It is the tale of a transfer of colossal amount of money, and viewers, from the Valley to Montreal; from porn directors and performers to buttoned-down data scientists and infrastructure engineers.

TechCrunch

FoxBusiness: "Yet, the jaw-dropping deal, which is valued at about 8% of Facebook's market cap, is getting applause by analysts, and shares of Facebook are only off a mere 2% despite shelling out that colossal amount of cash and stock".

Los Angeles Times

"If the regime had been interested in the people, the city would have built on less aggressive deadlines, and without the colossal amount of human casualties," says Gennady Vasilyev, a local history teacher who compiles "books of memory" with the names of Magnitogorsk residents who suffered from Soviet repressions.

The Guardian

Another Reddit user pointed out the colossal amount of resources that likely went into such a minor drug bust.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a colossal amount of" to emphasize the sheer size or extent of something, often when the quantity is surprisingly or impressively large. For example, "The data breach exposed a colossal amount of personal information."

Common error

While "a colossal amount of" is generally acceptable, avoid using it excessively in very informal or casual writing. Simpler alternatives like "a lot of" or "a ton of" might be more appropriate in those contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a colossal amount of" functions as a determiner phrase modifying a noun. It quantifies the noun, indicating a very large quantity. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and provides numerous examples of its usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

27%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a colossal amount of" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to emphasize the largeness of a quantity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s correct and applicable across various domains. While it’s prevalent in news, scientific, and general contexts, it should be used judiciously in very informal settings where simpler alternatives might be more suitable. Use it to add impact when you want to highlight the sheer scale or magnitude of something, as exemplified by sources like The Guardian and The New York Times.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a huge quantity of

Replaces "colossal" with "huge", indicating a large amount.

a massive quantity of

Replaces "colossal" with "massive", indicating a substantial amount.

an enormous amount of

Replaces "colossal" with "enormous", which suggests a great size.

a vast quantity of

Replaces "colossal" with "vast", emphasizing the extent of the amount.

a tremendous quantity of

Substitutes "colossal" with "tremendous", highlighting the impressiveness of the amount.

a substantial amount of

Emphasizes the largeness of the amount.

a significant amount of

Shifts focus to the importance of the amount rather than its size.

a great deal of

Uses a more general term to indicate a large quantity.

an abundance of

Focuses on the plentiful nature of something.

a mountain of

Uses a metaphor to describe a large quantity, suggesting size and difficulty.

FAQs

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

You can use "a colossal amount of" to emphasize a large quantity, as in "The project required "a colossal amount of" resources" or "They wasted "a colossal amount of" time on unnecessary tasks."

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

Alternatives include "a huge quantity of", "a vast quantity of", or "a tremendous quantity of" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

Yes, "a colossal amount of" is suitable for formal writing, especially when you want to emphasize the significant size or scale of something. It's more impactful than simpler terms like "a lot of".

What's the difference between "a large amount of" and "a colossal amount of"?

"A large amount of" simply indicates a quantity that is more than average. "A colossal amount of" suggests an extremely large quantity, often to an overwhelming or impressive degree.