a great host of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a great host of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a large number of people or things, often in a more poetic or formal context. Example: "The garden was filled with a great host of colorful flowers, each blooming in the warm sunlight."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

The following books are drawn from a great host of books I admire.

The Guardian - Books

Cherished uncle of Sharon Banks and a great host of other nieces, nephews, inlaws and friends.

The New York Times

Artificial neural networks (ANNs) are non-linear computational tools suitable to a great host of practical application due to their flexibility and adaptability.

Microchemical Journal

Embassadors also are sent to those states of Hither Spain which are nearest to Aquitania, and auxiliaries and leaders are summoned from them; on whose arrival they proceed to carry on the war with great confidence, and with a great host of men.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

By this means they speedily collected a great host of footmen and horsemen, and came on towards the camp.

University of Chicago

When a great host of them had assembled, the matrons who a moment before were stretching out their hands to the Romans from the wall began to adjure their own men and, in Gallic fashion, to show dishevelled hair and to bring their children forward into view.

University of Chicago

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Professor Li was a great host as hundreds of Chinese rheumatologists packed the Beijing Xinyuan Hotel to hear lectures by rheumatologists from China as well as invited speakers from around the world.

Arthritis Research and Therapy

Harris is a great host and a font of island knowledge.

The Guardian - Travel

Describing the roaring, extroverted, womanizing Herbert Beerbohm Tree as "a great host," Mr. Hall pointedly remarks of the quiet, aloof and likely asexual younger brother, "Max was a great guest".

The New York Times - Books

Tokyo will be the great host of a wonderful party," said Christel Takigawa, a Japanese television anchor chosen to underline the message that, like London, Tokyo will be able to put on a show in the heart of the city.

The Guardian - Sport

This paper studies the impact on domestic welfare and a foreign firm's entry mode of a greater host market competition.

International Review of Economics & Finance

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a great host of" when you want to emphasize a large number or variety of something, particularly in a context where a more formal or slightly literary tone is appropriate. It is effective in descriptions and narratives.

Common error

Avoid using "a great host of" in very casual or informal settings where simpler alternatives like "many" or "lots of" would be more natural. The phrase can sound stilted or overly formal in everyday conversation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a great host of" functions as a determiner or quantifier, modifying a noun to indicate a large quantity or number. Ludwig's examples show it used to describe people, things, and abstract concepts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

30%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a great host of" is a grammatically correct phrase used to denote a large number or variety of items. While considered correct by Ludwig AI, it's more suitable for neutral to formal contexts, appearing frequently in news, academic, and scientific sources. For more casual conversations, simpler alternatives such as "many" might be preferable. Remember to use this phrase when you aim to emphasize quantity in a slightly elevated style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a multitude of

Replaces 'host' with 'multitude', emphasizing a large number.

a large number of

More straightforward and less figurative than the original phrase.

a wide array of

Highlights the diversity or variety rather than just quantity.

an abundance of

Emphasizes the plentiful or overflowing nature of something.

a plethora of

Similar to 'multitude' but perhaps slightly more formal or literary.

a vast quantity of

Focuses on the amount or volume of something.

countless

Highlights the inability to count due to the large number.

innumerable

Similar to 'countless', suggesting too many to count.

numerous

A more concise synonym for 'a large number of'.

a sea of

Uses a metaphor to describe a large expanse or quantity.

FAQs

How can I use "a great host of" in a sentence?

Use "a great host of" to describe a large number or variety of something. For example, "The event attracted "a great host of" participants from around the world".

What are some alternatives to "a great host of"?

You can use alternatives like "a multitude of", "a large number of", or "many" depending on the context.

Is "a great host of" formal or informal?

"A great host of" leans towards being more formal. In casual conversations, simpler phrases like "lots of" or "many" might be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "a great host of" and "many"?

"A great host of" is a more emphatic and somewhat formal way of saying "many". "Many" is a more general and neutral term, while "a great host of" implies a particularly large or impressive quantity.