a great multitude

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a great multitude" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe a large group of people or things. Example: "As the politician took the stage, a great multitude of supporters cheered and waved their signs in excitement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Blow excels in the antiphony of verse soloists and full choir in I beheld, and lo, a great multitude.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It would also be a mistake to attribute the capture of Chapo primarily to coercive interrogation, because the operation was predicated on a great multitude of intelligence.

The New Yorker

Peter Martyr d'Anghiera, a chronicler of the early Spanish empire, described the Mexicans' gift as being "a great multitude of theyr peacockes, both cockes and hennes, deade and alyve…to cary with theym into Spayne for encrease".

The Economist

An occasional military truck or a Humvee speeds in the opposite direction, ferrying the injured and dead, passing the wreckage of an artillery piece, a blown-up turret from a Humvee and a great multitude of mangled metal objects.

The Guardian

Suddenly and weirdly, I wondered if I could imagine Donald Trump himself marching in such company and losing himself in a great multitude — a dot in the photo, full of conviction and hope.

The New Yorker

Regular elections for a great multitude of offices have bred politicians acutely sensitive to the things that people want including the bad things, such as slavery and segregation.America's decentralised system and multiple checks and balances have long ensured that no single faction can monopolise power.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

In exclaiming devotion to her banished Posthumus or keeping the repulsive Cloten at arm's length, either Jane Arnfield's Imogen is a drama queen or the actress is deteriminedly overacting; it's hard to imagine a performance with a greater multitude of arm gestures, louder body language, more strenuous exercise of facial muscles or less modulated line readings.

The New York Times

In particular, the advances in the hybrid imaging scanners, e.g., PET/CT and PET/MRI, will enter more clinics and laboratories, lowering the cost for data acquisition and enabling more interesting discoveries in a greater multitude of populations and disorders.

Brain Informatics

Ford, more successful in realizing his dream of "a car for the great multitude," designed his car first and then considered the problem of producing it cheaply.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Rutherford explained that in addition to the 144,000 "anointed" who would be resurrected or transferred at death to live in heaven to rule over earth with Christ, a separate class of members, the "great multitude," would live in a paradise restored on earth; from 1935, new converts to the movement were considered part of that class.

Wikipedia

"I will build a motor car for the great multitude," Ford proclaimed in announcing the birth of the Model T in October 1908.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a great multitude" to add emphasis to a large quantity when aiming for a slightly formal or literary tone. It's particularly effective when describing people or entities gathered together.

Common error

Avoid using "a great multitude" in casual conversation or informal writing; it can sound overly formal or stilted. Opt for simpler alternatives like "many" or "a lot" in those situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a great multitude" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It acts as a quantifier, indicating a large quantity or number of something, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

20%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Science

15%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a great multitude" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that refers to a large quantity or gathering of people or things. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides examples from various sources. While not as common as simpler alternatives like "many" or "a lot", it adds a touch of formality and emphasis. It frequently appears in news media, encyclopedias, and scientific contexts. When using "a great multitude", it's important to consider the tone of your writing and whether a more straightforward expression would be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a multitude of people

Explicitly refers to people, making it more specific than "a great multitude".

a vast number

Emphasizes the sheer quantity, focusing on the numerical aspect.

a large crowd

Specifically refers to a gathering of people.

countless individuals

Emphasizes that the number is so large it's difficult to count.

a considerable quantity

Focuses on the amount of something, rather than people.

a substantial amount

Similar to 'considerable quantity' but may imply importance.

numerous entities

A more formal way of saying 'many things or beings'.

an enormous mass

Highlights the size and density of the group or collection.

a throng of individuals

Implies a densely packed and moving group of people.

a sea of faces

Uses a metaphor to describe a large gathering of people.

FAQs

How can I use "a great multitude" in a sentence?

You can use "a great multitude" to describe a large group of people or things, such as "a great multitude of supporters" or "a great multitude of opportunities".

What are some alternatives to "a great multitude"?

Some alternatives include "a vast number", "a large crowd", or "numerous entities", depending on the specific context.

Is "a great multitude" more formal than "a lot of"?

Yes, "a great multitude" is generally considered more formal and literary than phrases like "a lot of" or "many". It's best suited for formal writing or speaking.

What is the difference between "a great multitude" and "a greater multitude"?

"A great multitude" refers to a large number, while "a greater multitude" implies a larger number compared to something else previously mentioned or understood.