a copious amount of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a copious amount of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a large quantity of something, often in a formal or literary context. Example: "The researchers collected a copious amount of data during their study, which allowed for comprehensive analysis."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

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

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

The Washington Post

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

The New York Times - Sports

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

Despite the rather disappointingly thin catalogue, there's a copious amount of information about both artists in written texts, books and photographs as well as the works themselves.

The Times

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

Independent

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

Use "a copious amount of" when you want to emphasize a large quantity in a formal or slightly elevated style. For example, "The library contained a copious amount of historical documents."

Common error

Avoid using "a copious amount of" in casual conversation or informal writing, as it can sound pretentious or out of place. Opt for simpler alternatives like "a lot of" or "many" in those situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a copious amount of" functions as a determiner phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a large quantity. As shown by Ludwig, it's used to describe an abundance, emphasizing the plentiful nature of what is being described.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

55%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a copious amount of" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to express a large quantity. According to Ludwig, it is most appropriate in neutral to formal contexts, particularly in science, news, and academic writing. While highly useful for emphasizing abundance, consider simpler alternatives like "a lot of" or "many" in casual settings. The phrase has a high expert rating due to its correctness and prevalence across authoritative sources. The Ludwig AI confirms the usability of this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an abundant quantity of

Replaces "copious" with "abundant" and "amount" with "quantity", focusing on plentiful supply.

a plentiful supply of

Substitutes "amount" with "supply", emphasizing availability and sufficiency.

a considerable quantity of

Replaces "copious" with "considerable", indicating a notable and significant amount.

a substantial volume of

Uses "volume" instead of "amount", highlighting a large quantity in terms of space or capacity.

a large measure of

Employs "measure" in place of "amount", suggesting a significant extent or degree.

an extensive array of

Shifts from quantity to variety, using "array" to denote a wide assortment.

a generous portion of

Replaces "amount" with "portion", implying a significant serving or allocation.

a wealth of

Uses "wealth" as a metaphor for abundance, suggesting a rich and plentiful supply.

a profusion of

Employs "profusion" to highlight an excessive or extravagant quantity.

an embarrassment of riches

An idiomatic expression indicating an overwhelming abundance, sometimes to the point of being problematic.

FAQs

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

Use "a copious amount of" to describe a large quantity of something, often in a formal or academic context. For example: "The research generated "a copious amount of" data."

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

You can use alternatives like "a large amount of", "an abundance of", or "a great deal of" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "a copious amount of" or "many"?

The choice depends on the context. "Many" is suitable for informal contexts and countable nouns. "A copious amount of" is more formal and can be used with both countable and uncountable nouns when emphasizing a large quantity.

What's the difference between "a copious amount of" and "a lot of"?

"A lot of" is less formal and more frequently used in everyday conversation. "A copious amount of" is more formal and often used in academic or professional writing to denote a substantial quantity.