a copious amount

USAGE SUMMARY

"a copious amount" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means a large or abundant amount of something. Example: "The chef added a copious amount of salt to the soup, making it almost too salty to eat."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It really was a copious amount of sunflowers.

The New York Times - Magazine

Team building was "a process" that required a copious amount of "rhythm".

The New York Times - Sports

The positions are unpaid, but "a copious amount of free coffee" is promised.

The Washington Post

For example, when researchers study the flow of fluids within a system they obtain a copious amount of velocity data.

Princeton University

His churchly duties, after all, yielded a copious amount of organ music, ranging from pious chorale preludes to more free-spirited toccatas, fantasias and passacaglias.

The New York Times - Arts

The human body contains a copious amount of energy, and harvesting it can be used to charge smartphone batteries and power lightbulbs.

The Guardian

I seemed to have been up half the night on the loo, the result of drinking a copious amount of fluid.

The Guardian - Travel

After scrutinising the incident report, I do acknowledge Nottinghamshire Police received a copious amount of suggestions for Amber's location," said the analyst.

Independent

X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy studies show the presence of a copious amount of multi-walled carbon nanotubes in the carbonaceous composition.

Polymer

Yukon golds are slightly more dense-fleshed, but have a nice buttery flavor and won't beg for a copious amount of added butter.

The New York Times

Meanwhile, Redknapp finds a way to make his players feel good about themselves, even the average ones, giving them a copious amount of freedom to display their skills.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance clarity, follow "a copious amount" with "of" and the specific item or substance you're referring to. For instance, "a copious amount of data".

Common error

Avoid using "a copious amount" in highly informal or casual contexts. While generally acceptable, it might sound overly sophisticated in everyday conversation; simpler alternatives like "a lot" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a copious amount" functions as a determiner phrase, specifically indicating the quantity or extent of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a valid and frequently used expression in English, denoting abundance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

36%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a copious amount" is a widely accepted and frequently used phrase to denote a large quantity or abundance of something. Ludwig AI confirms its validity in the English language. It is commonly found in various contexts, including news, scientific research, and academic writing. When using this phrase, ensure it aligns with the context's formality and that it is followed by 'of' and the noun it modifies. While highly useful, remember that simpler alternatives may be more appropriate for informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a plentiful amount

Replaces "copious" with "plentiful", suggesting a sufficient and abundant quantity.

a substantial amount

Emphasizes the significance or size of the quantity, rather than its abundance.

a generous amount

Implies that the quantity is not only large but also given freely or liberally.

a large quantity

A more straightforward and common way to express a big amount.

an abundant supply

Focuses on the availability of something in a great quantity.

a rich supply

Highlights the richness of the quantity.

a profuse quantity

Implies extravagance and abundance.

a vast quantity

Suggests an extremely large and extensive quantity.

a significant quantity

Highlights that quantity is important and notable.

a tremendous quantity

Indicates a very large amount, emphasizing the scale.

FAQs

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

You can use "a copious amount" to describe a large quantity of something. For example, "The research generated "a copious amount" of data" or "He used "a copious amount" of garlic in the sauce".

What can I say instead of "a copious amount"?

You can use alternatives like "a plentiful amount", "a substantial amount", or "a large quantity" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "a copious amount" or "a copious quantity"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct. "A copious amount" is generally used for uncountable nouns (e.g., water, data), while "a copious quantity" can be used for countable nouns (e.g., items, documents), although ""a copious amount"" is often used more broadly.

Is "copious" a positive or negative word?

"Copious" itself is neither inherently positive nor negative; it simply means abundant or plentiful. Whether it's perceived positively or negatively depends on the context. For example, ""a copious amount" of rain" might be welcome during a drought but unwelcome during a flood.