a massive book

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a massive book" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a book that is large in size or volume. Example: "I just finished reading a massive book on the history of ancient civilizations, and it took me weeks to get through it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

A massive book of his works, drawn from Mr. Greenberg's collection, is due next spring.

The New York Times

But it's not cool to read a massive book, I hear you say.

The Guardian

It's a massive book, littered with obscure references, and is written almost entirely in unattributed speech, with no chapter breaks and very little paragraphing.

The Guardian - Books

The release of the software was accompanied by a massive book, Mathematica: A System for Doing Mathematics by Computer (1988), which served as a user's guide; it and the software have been updated through multiple editions.

Encyclopedia Britannica

I went to my brother and said, 'This isn't a catalog, this is a massive book.' " Calder began making jewelry early: at 8, some years after he'd fashioned his first sculpture (a clay elephant), he began fabricating necklaces and other trinkets for his sister's dolls, using beads and copper electrical wire he found in the street.

The New York Times - Style

"When I talk to groups, they say, tell us about the Dead Sea Scrolls, the discovery of the Gnostic gospels, what went on with Constantine, was there a massive book burning by the church in the fourth century" — all elements woven into the Da Vinci plot, Mr. Robbins said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

We have a massive book-storage problem, as this room exemplifies.

The Guardian - Books

At the moment, she has returned to a massive, unfinished book about "warfare and social consent".

The New York Times - Magazine

Why would such impressive high achievers spend their summer nights storming through a massive SAT book?

The New York Times

He referred to himself and Mr. Hughes, the only two traders on the desk initially, as "babies" and "kids" dealing with a "massive" $50 billion book.

The New York Times

And when, after the war, Grossman and Ehrenburg gathered an enormous collection of materials and testimonies about the murder of the Soviet Jews into a massive "Black Book," the result of their labors was suppressed.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a massive book" when you want to emphasize the large size, scope, or comprehensive nature of a book. It can also imply that the book is significant or important.

Common error

Avoid using "a massive book" simply as an intensifier if the book's size isn't particularly relevant. Instead, opt for more precise language that describes the book's content or impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a massive book" functions as a noun phrase, where "massive" is an adjective modifying the noun "book". As Ludwig AI confirms, it describes the physical attributes of the book itself.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a massive book" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to describe a book of considerable size and scope. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's appropriate in various contexts, especially in news and media. Alternatives such as "an enormous book" or "a substantial book" can be used for variety. When using the phrase, ensure that the book's size is a relevant and important detail. Overusing "massive" as a general intensifier should be avoided for more precise and impactful language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an enormous book

Replaces 'massive' with 'enormous', emphasizing the great size of the book.

a huge book

Substitutes 'massive' with 'huge', indicating the book's large dimensions.

a large book

Uses 'large' instead of 'massive', a more general term for size.

a substantial book

Replaces 'massive' with 'substantial', highlighting the book's considerable size and content.

a voluminous book

Uses 'voluminous' to stress the book's large volume or number of pages.

an extensive book

Substitutes 'massive' with 'extensive', focusing on the book's comprehensive coverage.

a weighty tome

Employs 'weighty tome' to emphasize both the physical size and the serious nature of the book.

a thick book

Replaces 'massive' with 'thick', highlighting the physical depth of the book.

a giant book

Uses 'giant' instead of 'massive', exaggerating the size of the book.

a hefty book

Substitutes 'massive' with 'hefty', suggesting the book is heavy and substantial.

FAQs

What does "a massive book" mean?

The phrase "a massive book" describes a book that is very large in size or volume. It often implies that the book is also comprehensive or significant in some way.

What can I say instead of "a massive book"?

You can use alternatives like "an enormous book", "a huge book", or "a substantial book" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to describe a digital book as "a massive book"?

While the phrase is typically used for physical books, you can use it for digital books if you're referring to the extensive content or data within them. However, consider alternatives like "a comprehensive digital resource" for greater clarity.

How does the connotation of "a massive book" differ from "a long book"?

"A long book" simply refers to the number of pages, while "a massive book" implies a combination of size, weight, and significance. The latter suggests the book is an imposing or comprehensive work.