a massive buildup of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a massive buildup of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant accumulation or increase of something, often in a context related to physical objects, emotions, or situations. Example: "There was a massive buildup of tension in the room before the announcement was made."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Reagan introduced deep tax cuts and launched a massive buildup of U.S. military forces.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Some say China will respond with a massive buildup of its nuclear force, which could also pose a long-term strategic concern to Russia.

The New York Times

Mr. Bush earlier this year ordered a massive buildup of American troops in Iraq in a desperate attempt to salvage his failed strategy and stave off Congressional moves to bring the forces home.

The New York Times

But now he's opting for a different legacy: breaking America's oil habit by pushing for a massive buildup of wind power in the U.S. and converting our abundant natural gas supplies — now being used to make electricity — into transportation fuel to replace foreign oil in our cars, buses and trucks.

The New York Times

Our leadership in promoting world trade has led to a huge increase in imports, accompanied by a lesser growth in exports from the U.S. The resulting trade imbalance has led to a massive buildup of foreign reserves of U.S. dollars.

Forbes

Meanwhile, the Obama administration has ordered a massive buildup of U.S. forces in the Persian Gulf starting with Carrier Strike Group 10, headed by the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

El Nino typically starts to form with a massive buildup (red) of warm water in the eastern Pacific.

Huffington Post

In the post-Vietnam nineteen-seventies, the Soviet-led forces of the Warsaw Pact conducted a steady, massive buildup of heavy forces — tanks and mechanized infantry — along the western edge of East Germany and Czechoslovakia.

The New Yorker

The rapid spread of high volume hydraulic fracturing has led to a massive buildup in oil and gas infrastructure, including hundreds of thousands of new oil and gas wells, as well as thousands of miles of new pipelines.

Huffington Post

India and Pakistan, nuclear-armed foes, have mobilized hundreds of thousands of troops along their common border in a massive buildup that gained powerful momentum after an attack on the Indian Parliament here last month.

The New York Times

On the other hand, Trump might be initiating a massive buildup in our nuclear forces simply because he can.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a massive buildup of", ensure the context clearly indicates what is accumulating and why its scale is significant. For example, specify "a massive buildup of troops" rather than just "a massive buildup".

Common error

Avoid using "a massive buildup of" as a generic intensifier without specifying what's being built up. Instead of saying "there was a massive buildup of something going on", be precise about the specific issue, resource, or element that's accumulating.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a massive buildup of" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or following a preposition. It describes the state of something that is accumulating or increasing significantly, as seen in Ludwig's examples related to military forces, debt, or even acetylcholine.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a massive buildup of" is a versatile phrase used to describe a substantial increase or accumulation across diverse contexts. As Ludwig AI highlights, this phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used in news, scientific, and general writing. While generally neutral, it's vital to use it precisely, clearly specifying what is accumulating to avoid vagueness. Related phrases like ""a significant accumulation of"" or ""a substantial increase in"" offer alternative ways to express similar concepts, depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Avoiding overuse in vague contexts is key to effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an extensive accumulation of

Synonymous, with 'extensive' offering a different nuance of scale.

a significant accumulation of

Replaces "massive buildup" with "significant accumulation", focusing on the quantity aspect with a less intense descriptor.

a substantial increase in

Emphasizes the increasing quantity rather than the accumulated result.

a large concentration of

Shifts focus to spatial density rather than a general increase.

a considerable expansion of

Highlights growth and enlargement, implying increased scope or range.

a tremendous surge in

Implies a sudden and powerful increase, adding a sense of speed and force.

a vast aggregation of

Emphasizes the gathering or clustering of elements into a large mass.

a major escalation of

Highlights the intensifying nature of the increase.

an amplified proliferation of

Focuses on the rapid and widespread multiplication or spread.

a critical mass of

Implies the buildup has reached a point of significant impact or potential change.

FAQs

How can I use "a massive buildup of" in a sentence?

You can use "a massive buildup of" to describe a large accumulation or increase in something. For example, "The military reported "a massive buildup of" forces along the border".

What are some alternatives to "a massive buildup of"?

Alternatives include "a significant accumulation of", "a substantial increase in", or "a large concentration of", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "massive accumulation" or "massive buildup"?

Both "massive accumulation" and "massive buildup" are grammatically correct and semantically similar. The choice often depends on stylistic preference and the specific context. "Buildup" often implies a process, while "accumulation" suggests a static result.

What's the difference between "a buildup of" and "an increase in"?

"A buildup of" typically implies an accumulation over time, while "an increase in" simply indicates a rise in quantity or intensity. While both can be used interchangeably in some cases, "a buildup of" often carries a connotation of gradual assembly or development.