a large raft of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a large raft of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant number or quantity of something, often in a figurative sense. Example: "The report highlighted a large raft of issues that needed to be addressed immediately."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

When an observer finds a large raft of birds, he blocks off part of the raft with glasses, make an estimate of the number of birds, & counts the blocks.

The New Yorker

But the proposed S.E.C. rules, which are now open for public comment and scheduled to be completed in the spring, also exclude a large raft of people from receiving potential awards.

The New York Times

A large raft of shares the price of which appreciates by a dollar each will deliver as much extra wealth as a small quantity of shares that go up by $100.In spite of such confusion, Mr Hall argues that options undoubtedly have an incentive effect.

The Economist

A large raft of male otters, up to around 20, can usually be spotted grooming and napping near the mouth of the harbour or near the parking lot of Moss Landing State Beach, and can frequently be seen near the sea lions on the Moss Landing Visitor's Dock.

BBC

We choose the white Styrofoam to avoid the problem of visually resolving a small ant atop a large raft of live ants.

Communicative and Integrative Biology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

In 1874, a large raft got wedged in the chute of the Dunnstown Dam and caused a jam that blocked the channel from bank to bank with a pile of logs 16 feet high.

Wikipedia

Born in 1933 in Stalingrad (now Volgograd), he and his mother and infant brother were evacuated on a large raft across the Volga River during the Battle of Stalingrad.

The New York Times

The rest of the ships company were evacuated in the remaining boats and a large raft.

Wikipedia

Offshore, there may be large "rafts" of common scoters, and smaller numbers of common eiders, long-tailed ducks, velvet scoters and red-throated divers.

Wikipedia

Here, we report anomalous behavior of ants atop larger rafts of up to 23,000 ants.

Communicative and Integrative Biology

LAT clustering and the anchoring of other raft-philic proteins at the T cell activation sites may drive the recruitment of pre-existing rafts or de novo formation of large raft domains.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a large raft of" to describe a considerable number or amount of something, especially when emphasizing that there are many different items or components involved. For instance, "The company faced a large raft of challenges during the economic downturn."

Common error

While "a large raft of" is acceptable, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "a significant number of" or "a wide range of" to maintain reader engagement and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a large raft of" functions as a determiner phrase followed by a preposition, modifying a noun. It is used to quantify something in a non-specific way, implying a significant number or amount. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a large raft of" is used to describe a significant number or quantity of something, often diverse items or issues. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly found in news, media, and scientific contexts. While its use is acceptable in formal writing, varying your language is recommended to avoid sounding repetitive. Consider alternatives like "a significant number of" or "a wide range of" for better clarity and engagement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant number of

Emphasizes the quantity is noteworthy.

a considerable amount of

Highlights the size or extent of the quantity.

a great quantity of

Stresses the abundance or volume.

a substantial collection of

Focuses on the gathering or accumulation of items.

a wide range of

Indicates diversity within the quantity.

an extensive array of

Suggests a broad and organized assortment.

a plethora of

Implies an overabundance or excess.

a multitude of

Highlights the numerousness of the items.

a vast quantity of

Underscores the immensity of the amount.

a good deal of

Indicates a sizable portion or share.

FAQs

How can I use "a large raft of" in a sentence?

You can use "a large raft of" to describe a considerable number or amount of something. For example, "The new policy changes created "a large raft of" problems for the company".

What can I say instead of "a large raft of"?

You can use alternatives like "a significant number of", "a considerable amount of", or "a wide range of" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "a large raft of" in formal writing?

Yes, "a large raft of" can be used in formal writing, but be mindful of overuse. Consider using alternatives such as "a significant number of" or "a considerable amount of" to avoid sounding repetitive.

What is the difference between "a large raft of" and "a large number of"?

While both phrases indicate quantity, "a large raft of" often implies a collection or group of diverse items or issues, whereas "a large number of" is a more general expression referring to a high count of something.