a massive number of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a massive number of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a large quantity of something. For example, "A massive number of people attended the rally."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"They have a massive number of social media followers".

The Guardian

We're not even talking about a massive number of children".

The Guardian

And we still have a massive number of problems here".

The New York Times

"You're talking about a massive number of phones," Mr. Benzie said.

The New York Times

"We're not talking about a massive number of people," Duffy said about the high recidivism rates.

The Guardian

But there are a massive number of companies that have no interest in rewarding shareholders.

The New York Times

And as a financial centre, the City creates a massive number of jobs.

The Guardian

But they're not interesting until we have a massive number of users," he said.

The New York Times - Tech

A massive number of businesses say: "A website isn't for us, We don't really need it".

The Guardian

Theres also a massive number of 'red cross' type organisations here which offer limited healthcare help to the most needy.

The Guardian - Opinion

"We've deployed a massive number of troops," said Defense Secretary Padam Kumar Acharya, but he declined to give numbers.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a massive number of", ensure the noun it modifies is appropriate for indicating quantity, such as "people", "items", or "instances".

Common error

Avoid using "a massive number of" in very casual conversations. Simpler phrases like "lots of" or "many" might be more suitable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a massive number of" functions as a quantifier, specifically indicating a large quantity of something. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples showing its use across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a massive number of" is a versatile phrase used to denote a large quantity, suitable for various contexts, particularly news, science, and formal communication. While grammatically correct and widely used, consider context-specific alternatives for enhanced precision or informality. Ludwig AI supports its proper usage through many examples, confirming that the phrase is well-established in English writing and speech.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a huge quantity of

Stresses the enormous size or extent.

an enormous amount of

Similar to "a huge quantity of", but can be used for abstract concepts.

a considerable quantity of

Emphasizes the amount is noteworthy or significant.

a substantial amount of

Focuses on the largeness of the quantity.

a vast quantity of

Indicates an immense scale or range.

a great deal of

Implies a large quantity, often used for uncountable nouns.

a multitude of

Highlights the numerous and diverse nature of the items.

an abundance of

Suggests a plentiful or overflowing supply.

countless numbers of

Emphasizes the inability to count or enumerate.

a plethora of

Similar to "an abundance of", often used in a more formal or literary context.

FAQs

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

Use "a massive number of" to indicate a large quantity or amount. For example, "A massive number of people attended the conference."

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

Alternatives include "a huge amount of", "a great deal of", or "a large quantity of", depending on the context.

Is it always appropriate to use "a massive number of" in formal writing?

While generally acceptable, consider whether a more precise term might be more suitable. In scientific or technical writing, specify exact numbers when possible, instead of simply saying "a massive number of".

What's the difference between "a massive number of" and "a large number of"?

"A massive number of" implies a greater quantity than "a large number of". "Massive" emphasizes the scale or impact of the quantity.