a mass of

USAGE SUMMARY

"a mass of" is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used to describe a large amount of something. For example: "The store was full of customers, a mass of them waiting in line to buy the new item."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A mass of a mess.

The New Yorker

This is a mass of solitaries.

Independent

His face is "a mass of feelers".

The New Yorker

They are a mass of contradictions.

The New York Times

Fontane himself was a mass of contradictions.

The New Yorker

Simply a mass of neurons.

The New York Times - Books

A Mass of Hyacinths Q.

The New York Times - Style

She's a mass of contradictions.

The Guardian - Music

"It's a mass of contradictions".

The Guardian - Film

Furthermore a mass of should stay.

Princeton University

The planet has a mass of 2.

Princeton University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a mass of" to describe a large, often disorganized or amorphous collection of things. It's suitable when you want to convey the sheer quantity or bulk of something.

Common error

Avoid using "a mass of" in highly formal or professional writing where more precise or sophisticated language is expected. Opt for alternatives like "a significant quantity of" or "a substantial amount of" to maintain a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a mass of" functions primarily as a determiner followed by a noun, modifying the noun to indicate a large quantity or collection. As seen in Ludwig, it's frequently used to describe physical quantities or abstract concepts present in abundance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Academia

35%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a mass of" is a versatile phrase used to indicate a large quantity or collection, functioning as a determiner modifying a noun. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and appears frequently in diverse contexts, including News & Media and Academia. While suitable for neutral registers, consider more formal alternatives like "a substantial amount of" in professional settings. Common alternatives include "a multitude of" and "a large quantity of". This phrase is a valuable tool for writers aiming to convey the sheer volume or bulk of something.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a large quantity of

Highlights the substantial amount of something, focusing on volume or size.

a great deal of

Indicates a significant amount, typically used with non-countable nouns.

an abundance of

Stresses the plentiful nature of something, suggesting more than enough.

a multitude of

Emphasizes a very large number, often suggesting variety or diversity within the group.

a plethora of

Suggests an abundance or excessive amount, often with a positive or celebratory tone.

a host of

Implies a large number or group, often used in formal contexts.

a cluster of

Describes a group of things that are closely packed or gathered together.

a collection of

Focuses on the act of gathering or assembling items into a group.

a body of

Often refers to a collection of people or a significant amount of information.

a swarm of

Typically used for insects or small creatures moving together in a large group.

FAQs

How can I use "a mass of" in a sentence?

You can use "a mass of" to describe a large quantity or collection of something. For example: "The floor was covered in "a mass of papers"" or "The protesters formed "a mass of people" in the town square".

What are some alternatives to "a mass of"?

Alternatives include "a multitude of", "a large quantity of", or "a great deal of", depending on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

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

While grammatically correct, "a mass of" might be considered too informal for some formal contexts. Consider using more precise language or alternatives like "a substantial amount of" or "a significant quantity of" to maintain a professional tone.

What's the difference between "a mass of" and "a collection of"?

"A mass of" suggests a large, often disorganized quantity, whereas "a collection of" implies a more organized or deliberate grouping. For instance, you might have "a collection of stamps" but "a mass of debris".