a good many things

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a good many things" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a large number of items or matters, often in a somewhat informal context. Example: "Over the years, I've learned a good many things about life and relationships."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Nobody got everything, but everybody got a good many things.

The New York Times - Science

Rudolph W. Giuliani disliked a good many things.

The New York Times

And, though we have got a good many things right, we know there's much still to work on.

The Guardian

"I hate a good many things but I suffer through them all the same" – Oh, Stannis, I have missed you.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

He soon had a new purpose; as he wrote, "I must confess they opened my eyes to a good many things".

The New York Times

It made sense of a good many things I'd half-noticed around the N.S.A. office without thinking much about them — odd comings and goings, furtive whisperings, long meetings behind closed doors.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

A good many other things presented at Collective Intelligence 2012 provide reason to be excited about the progress being made: See the complete list of speaker papers from Collective Intelligence 2012 at http://arxiv.org/html/1204.2991v1.

The New York Times

Here's something original and eccentric and multi-faceted that tells you a good many interesting things about the world – and then, not having an index, maximises your chance of forgetting them.

The Guardian - Books

Wisden noted that Trott "batted uncommonly well — much better than in 1890" but that when bowling he "did a good many brilliant things against the weaker teams, but he was nearly always expensive and very rarely successful when opposed to batsmen of high class".

Wikipedia

"He does say a good many of the things I think," Mortimer once explained.

The New York Times - Books

You should take with you a good understanding of many things, and a willingness to accept responsibility and show yourselves as women to be loved and trusted.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a good many things" to add a touch of informality to your writing while still conveying a sense of significant quantity or variety.

Common error

Avoid using "a good many things" in highly formal or academic contexts where more precise language may be preferred. Consider alternatives like "a considerable number of things" or "numerous items" for enhanced formality.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a good many things" functions as a determiner phrase, quantifying a noun in a general sense. It suggests a notable quantity or variety, similar to saying "many" but with added emphasis and a slightly informal tone. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a good many things" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate a substantial quantity or variety. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's prevalent in news and media sources, adding a touch of informality while still conveying a sense of significance. While versatile, it's important to consider the context and opt for more formal alternatives like "a considerable number of things" or "numerous items" in academic or highly formal writing. Remember, it emphasizes quantity and/or variety and can make your writing more relatable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

quite a few things

Emphasizes a moderate quantity or number, slightly less formal.

a great deal of things

Indicates a significant amount or quantity.

a considerable number of things

Indicates a substantial quantity, more formal.

a large quantity of things

Directly refers to the abundance in amount.

numerous things

Highlights the existence of many distinct items or matters.

a plethora of things

Suggests an abundance or excess.

a multitude of things

Emphasizes a very large number, often suggesting variety.

various things

Focuses on the diversity and range of items.

lots of things

Informal way of saying "many things".

a wide array of things

Highlights the comprehensive or diverse nature of the items.

FAQs

How can I use "a good many things" in a sentence?

You can use "a good many things" to indicate a large quantity or variety. For example: "I learned "a good many things" during my travels."

What's a more formal alternative to "a good many things"?

For more formal contexts, consider using alternatives like "a considerable number of things" or "numerous items".

Is "a good many things" appropriate for academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "a good many things" might be too informal for some academic writing. Choose more precise or formal alternatives.

What is the difference between "a good many things" and "a great deal of things"?

While both indicate a large quantity, "a great deal of things" may emphasize the amount more strongly than ""a good many things"", which can also suggest variety.