a large number of things

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a large number of things" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a significant quantity of items or concepts in a general context. Example: "During the meeting, we discussed a large number of things that need to be addressed before the project deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

More than 90,000 people attended the show, which claims to be"the biggest annual trade show in the world".Writer tells about a large number of things he saw& quotes comments of participants.

The New Yorker

The ability for a cloud provider to predict its energy usage depends on a large number of things, and this is likely to vary widely between providers [18].

Journal of Cloud Computing: Advances, Systems and Applications

If you are in graduate school or have already completed your graduate degree, you have proven that you are able to do a large number of things.

Science Magazine

Moreover, classical recommender systems may not be able to scale up to efficiently process a large number of things on the Web, and yet these systems may produce big-error recommendations that diminish users' trusts on utilizing WoT.

Decision Support Systems

However, in order to run on a large number of Things and to handle the hardware heterogeneity of Things (heterogeneous resources, specific capabilities, etc)., Dioptase is highly modular and can be adapted to the resources of the Things.

Journal of Internet Services and Applications

There is a large number of things that can possibly go wrong from the time you introduce the parents until the fry become adults.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

If you use soap, antibacterial products, take baths that are too hot, go in pools frequently, use scented pads, use lotion too close to your vagina, don't change your underwear often enough or wear underwear of the wrong material, or a large number of other things, you can cause your little ecosystem to get totally out of whack.

WikiHow

Thought and belief are "productive" in the sense that we can potentially think or believe an indefinitely large number of things: that elephants despise bowling, that 245 + 382 = 627, that river bottoms are usually not composed of blue beads.

SEP

But it seems that a large number of people like things just the way they are.

The New York Times

Internally, we also have a large number of prior examples of things we've done before for best practices.

Forbes

The Internet of Services and Things is characterized as a distributed computing environment that will be populated by a large number of software services and things.

Journal of Internet Services and Applications

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a large number of things", ensure the context provides clarity on what 'things' refers to. Being specific when possible enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "a large number of things" without any context. Vague references can confuse the reader. Always ensure there's an antecedent or clear understanding of what 'things' represents.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a large number of things" functions as a determiner phrase specifying the quantity of unspecified items or concepts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a valid and commonly used expression. The examples illustrate its use in diverse contexts, from trade shows to personal struggles.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

50%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a large number of things" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that indicates a significant quantity of unspecified items. According to Ludwig AI, it's perfectly acceptable in written English. While versatile, clarity is key, so ensure the context provides a clear understanding of what 'things' represents. While often found in news, scientific, and general contexts, alternatives like "numerous items" or "various elements" may be more appropriate in formal settings to enhance precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

numerous items

Focuses on individual items rather than a general concept.

a great quantity of items

Highlights the substantial amount of individual things.

many aspects

Highlights different facets or angles of a subject.

a multitude of objects

Emphasizes the great quantity and variety of physical objects.

various elements

Stresses the different components that make up a whole.

a host of considerations

Implies a wide array of factors that need to be taken into account.

several matters

Refers to distinct issues or points of discussion.

an extensive array of subjects

Focuses on a wide range of topics or fields of study.

an abundance of issues

Emphasizes the plentiful supply of problems or concerns.

plenty of stuff

An informal way of saying many things.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "a large number of things" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "numerous items", "various elements", or "a great quantity of items" depending on the context.

What's a more casual alternative to "a large number of things"?

Informally, you could say "plenty of stuff" or "lots of things".

Is it better to be specific instead of using "a large number of things"?

Whenever possible, replace "a large number of things" with more precise terms that accurately describe what you are referring to. For example, instead of "a large number of things were damaged", specify "numerous buildings and vehicles were damaged".

How does the choice of alternative to "a large number of things" affect the tone of my writing?

The alternative you choose can significantly impact the tone. Phrases like "numerous items" and "various elements" maintain a neutral or formal tone, while phrases like "plenty of stuff" create a more casual impression.