a colossal quantity of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a colossal quantity of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a very large amount of something, often in a dramatic or emphatic way. Example: "The research team discovered a colossal quantity of data that would take years to analyze."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Some of that shift will take place beneath the ocean, displacing a colossal quantity of seawater.

The New Yorker

Sure, the company says it is making big strides in tackling its leaks since receiving a series of fines in the early 2000s, but that is still a colossal quantity of water being wasted which completely dwarfs the consequences of women depilating in the shower.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

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

Independent

This seed epicarp constitutes a colossal amount of obnoxious waste.

International Journal of Industrial Chemistry

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

Microprocessors and Microsystems

In short, a colossal amount of information on careers and career trends can be found here.

Science Magazine

A colossal amount of profound knowledge at genome level is hidden inside such immense expression data.

BMC Genomics

Escobar's Medellín drug cartel was responsible for 80% of the global cocaine trade, raking in such colossal quantities of money that it spent $2,500 a month just on rubber bands to bunch banknotes together.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

How dare they throw away such colossal quantities of money in times of crisis?

The Guardian - Sport

Using sophisticated programming languages, like Processing, they are distilling colossal quantities of baffling data into seductive digital animations — or visualizations — many of which then change in real time to reflect what is actually happening.

The New York Times - Arts

Destroying peat forests for palm oil is especially bad for the climate, as these semi-saturated soils are dense "carbon stores" which release colossal quantities of C02 when they are burnt to make way for palm oil.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a colossal quantity of" to emphasize the sheer size or amount of something, creating a strong impact on the reader. It's more dramatic than saying "a large quantity".

Common error

Avoid using "a colossal quantity of" in contexts that don't require emphasis or where a more neutral tone is appropriate. Phrases like "a significant amount of" or "a large number of" might be better choices in less dramatic situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a colossal quantity of" functions as a determiner phrase, specifically quantifying a noun. It emphasizes the magnitude of the noun it modifies. Ludwig AI examples show it being used to describe substantial amounts of tangible or intangible entities.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a colossal quantity of" is a grammatically correct phrase used to emphasize a very large amount of something. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides examples from news, science, and formal contexts. Although not extremely frequent, it serves to amplify the scale being discussed. For less emphatic situations, alternatives like ""a large quantity of"" or "a significant amount of" may be more appropriate. Remember to use "a colossal quantity of" when you want to truly highlight the immensity of something.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a massive quantity of

Replaces "colossal" with "massive", indicating a large size or scale.

a huge quantity of

Substitutes "colossal" with "huge", suggesting great size or extent.

an enormous quantity of

Replaces "colossal" with "enormous", emphasizing the very large size.

a vast amount of

Changes "quantity of" to "amount of" and replaces "colossal" with "vast", implying a great expanse.

a tremendous quantity of

Uses "tremendous" instead of "colossal" to indicate an impressively large quantity.

a gigantic amount of

Replaces "quantity of" with "amount of" and "colossal" with "gigantic", suggesting immense size.

a substantial volume of

Replaces "quantity" with "volume" and "colossal" with "substantial", indicating a significant amount.

a mountain of

Uses a metaphorical expression to describe a large accumulation of something.

a considerable quantity of

Substitutes "colossal" with "considerable", indicating a noteworthy amount.

a significant amount of

Replaces "quantity of" with "amount of" and "colossal" with "significant", highlighting the importance of the amount.

FAQs

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

You can use "a colossal quantity of" to describe a very large amount of something. For example, "The factory produces "a colossal quantity of" waste each day."

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

Some alternatives include "a massive quantity of", "a huge quantity of", or "an enormous amount of". The best choice depends on the specific context and the desired level of emphasis.

Is "a colossal quantity of" formal or informal?

"A colossal quantity of" tends to be more formal due to the word "colossal". In informal settings, you might prefer phrases like "a ton of" or "loads of".

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

"A colossal quantity of" emphasizes that the amount is exceptionally large or impressive, far beyond just being "large". It carries a stronger sense of scale than "a large quantity of".