a great many things

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a great many things" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe a large quantity or number of things, people, or ideas. For example: "I don't have enough time in the day to do a great many things that I want to do."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

Ryan is a great many things.

The New York Times

I want to see a great many things.

The New York Times - Sports

We need a great many things just now.

The New York Times - Arts

Being not so bothered is Smith's default position on a great many things.

The Guardian - Music

New York is good at a great many things, but remembering is not one of them.

The New York Times

Dinosaurs on a Spaceship may have been a great many things, but scary it was not.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Words wielded this skillfully can do a great many things, but can they heal?

The New York Times - Books

"But there are a great many things going on to increase security.

The New York Times

Professors at Harvard Business School questioned whether many companies can profit from selling a little of a great many things.

The Economist

I, for one, feel intimately invested in my country and already "own" a great many things, including my government.

The New York Times

But, for that matter, I am a great many things that I do not appear to be.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a great many things", ensure the context clearly indicates what those "things" are, either explicitly or implicitly, to avoid vagueness. For example, instead of saying "He knew a great many things", specify, "He knew a great many things about history, science, and art."

Common error

Avoid using "a great many things" in contexts where simpler alternatives like "many things" or "lots of things" would suffice. Overusing complex phrasing can make your writing sound unnecessarily verbose. For instance, prefer "I have many things to do" over "I have a great many things to do" in everyday conversations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a great many things" functions as a determiner phrase that modifies a noun, indicating a large quantity or number of unspecified items or aspects. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a great many things" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that denotes a large quantity or variety. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across various contexts. Predominantly found in news and media, but also present in scientific and formal business writing, its register remains generally neutral. When employing this phrase, ensure that the context provides sufficient clarity regarding the "things" being referenced. While acceptable, be aware of potential wordiness in simpler, everyday contexts. Related alternatives such as "numerous aspects" or "various elements" offer nuanced ways to convey similar meanings. Remember to avoid overuse in simple contexts and always focus on clear and concise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

innumerable facets

Emphasizes the count being too high to enumerate, specifying "things" as "facets".

numerous aspects

Replaces "things" with "aspects", focusing on different facets of a subject.

multitude of items

Uses "multitude" to emphasize a large number and specifies "things" as "items".

plenty of items

Substitutes "great many" with "plenty of" and "things" with "items", suggesting abundance.

various elements

Emphasizes the diversity by using "various" and specifies "things" as "elements".

copious amount of details

Stresses abundance with "copious amount" and refines "things" to "details".

considerable number of issues

Replaces "a great many" with "considerable number of" and specifies "things" as "issues".

substantial quantity of matters

Focuses on amount by using "substantial quantity" and replaces "things" with "matters".

wide array of subjects

Highlights variety with "wide array" and replaces "things" with "subjects".

several details

Indicates a moderate quantity, less emphatic than "a great many things".

FAQs

What does "a great many things" mean?

The expression "a great many things" means a large number or amount of things. It's used to emphasize quantity.

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

You can use "a great many things" to describe a variety of subjects or objects, such as: "She accomplished "a great many things" during her career."

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

While both phrases indicate a large quantity, "a great many things" often implies a larger quantity or a more significant emphasis on the number. In most contexts, "many things" is sufficient.

Are there synonyms for "a great many things"?

Yes, synonyms include "numerous aspects", "plenty of items", and "various elements". The best alternative depends on the specific context.