a formidable amount of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a formidable amount of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a large or impressive quantity of something, often in a context that emphasizes its significance or impact. Example: "The project required a formidable amount of resources to complete successfully."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

Already, they say, Greece has been forgiven a formidable amount of its international debt.

The Guardian - Opinion

This is understandable; Upworthy's distinct style has generated a formidable amount of web traffic (maybe).

The Guardian

Graphene is an extremely intriguing material that is arousing a formidable amount of interest in many different disciplines.

Surface Science

"All I know is that Lance as a cyclist had a formidable amount of strength, intelligence and a strong head," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

Getting to Sydney Australia's largest city is the main gateway for British visitors and there is a formidable amount of competition.

Independent

But the salary, £557,000 per season, is a formidable amount of money that raises the bar worldwide on the value of the best rugby players around the globe.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

Rosen achieves a formidable amount in Framing Production.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The present debate seems to have brought to light the formidable amount of middle-aged resentment harboured against the young.

The New Yorker

Last week, prosecutor John Farmer told the jury the alleged victim had been at a wedding, had drunk "formidable" amounts of alcohol and "was in no fit state one way or another to consent".

BBC

He had left a wedding party after drinking "formidable" amounts of alcohol and was seen on CCTV being led to Christ's Pieces by the defendants.

BBC

The victim had just left a wedding party after drinking "formidable" amounts of alcohol and was captured on CCTV being led to the park.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a formidable amount of" to emphasize the size or quantity while also suggesting that it is impressive or perhaps challenging to deal with. It adds a stronger, more descriptive tone compared to simply saying "a lot of".

Common error

Avoid using "a formidable amount of" in situations where a simpler phrase like "a lot of" or "much" would suffice. The phrase is most effective when the quantity truly carries significance or poses a challenge.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a formidable amount of" functions as a quantifier, modifying a noun to indicate a large and impressive quantity. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's used to describe significant quantities across various domains.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Academia

4%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a formidable amount of" is a quantifier used to describe a large and impressive quantity. As Ludwig AI validates, it is grammatically correct and suitable for formal and neutral contexts. While not extremely frequent, it is found in diverse domains, including News & Media, Science, and Encyclopedias. When writing, use this phrase to emphasize the scale and impact of a quantity, but avoid overuse in simpler contexts where phrases like "a lot of" would suffice. Consider alternatives like "a substantial quantity of" or "an impressive amount of" depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an impressive quantity of

Replaces "formidable" with "impressive", highlighting the striking nature of the amount.

a substantial quantity of

Replaces "formidable" with "substantial", indicating a considerable amount but with less emphasis on impressiveness.

a vast quantity of

Replaces "formidable" with "vast", emphasizing the immense scale of the amount.

a considerable quantity of

Emphasizes the size or extent of the amount, similar to "substantial" but slightly more formal.

an enormous quantity of

Similar to "vast", but stresses the unusually large size.

a tremendous volume of

Uses "tremendous" to suggest an exceptional size or degree.

a significant volume of

Focuses on the size or capacity, using "volume" to suggest a large quantity.

a noteworthy quantity of

Highlights that the amount is worth paying attention to, suggesting it is significant.

a large measure of

Uses "measure" to indicate the extent, implying a considerable degree or quantity.

a great deal of

A more common and less formal way to express a large amount.

FAQs

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

You can use "a formidable amount of" to describe a large or impressive quantity of something. For instance, "The research required "a formidable amount of" data analysis".

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

Alternatives include "a substantial quantity of", "a considerable quantity of", or "a significant volume of depending on the context".

Is "a formidable amount of" suitable for formal writing?

Yes, "a formidable amount of" is suitable for formal writing, particularly when you want to emphasize the significance or impact of a large quantity. It conveys a stronger sense of scale than phrases like "a lot of".

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

"A formidable amount of" suggests that the quantity is not only large but also impressive, potentially challenging, or significant in some way. "A large amount of" simply indicates a considerable quantity without necessarily implying the same level of impact.