a phenomenal amount

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a phenomenal amount" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a very large quantity or degree of something, often in a positive context. Example: "The research team gathered a phenomenal amount of data during their study, which will greatly contribute to their findings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There was a phenomenal amount of interest".

The New York Times - Food

I got paid a phenomenal amount of money.

The Guardian - Business

"We get a phenomenal amount of repeat business.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"We saw a phenomenal amount of work, much of which I had never seen before.

The New York Times

India currently burns a phenomenal amount of coal, which kills tens of thousands prematurely every year.

The Guardian

A phenomenal amount of money, time and energy is being thrown at the issue.

The Guardian - Tech

New Haven, a place with a phenomenal amount of entertainment, cultural, dining, and recreational options.

Yale University

That's a phenomenal amount, and they keep going over and over again.

Yale University

"We know a phenomenal amount about evolution," Scott told hundreds of science teachers in Dallas last month.

The Washington Post

For a supposedly minority art form, jazz still manages to generate a phenomenal amount of exuberance and creative energy.

The Guardian - Music

Although oil rich, there is a phenomenal amount of poverty throughout the country, inevitably leading to crime.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a phenomenal amount" to emphasize a quantity that is surprisingly or impressively large. It adds a stronger sense of scale than simply saying "a large amount".

Common error

While acceptable, excessive use of "a phenomenal amount" can sound hyperbolic in formal writing. Consider more neutral alternatives like "a significant quantity" or "a considerable extent" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a phenomenal amount" functions as a determiner phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a very large or impressive quantity. It emphasizes the scale or magnitude of whatever is being described. Ludwig confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Academia

13%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a phenomenal amount" is a versatile phrase used to describe a remarkably large quantity or degree. Grammatically correct and frequently employed, it's most common in news and media contexts, though less prevalent in formal academic writing. Ludwig confirms its validity and provides numerous examples across diverse sources. While effective for emphasizing scale, writers should consider context and opt for more formal alternatives like "a substantial quantity" when necessary to maintain a professional tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a remarkable quantity

Synonymous replacement of phenomenal with remarkable.

a tremendous quantity

Replaces 'amount' with 'quantity' and 'phenomenal' with 'tremendous', focusing on the sheer volume.

an exceptional quantity

Emphasizes the exceptional nature of the quantity, replacing 'phenomenal' with 'exceptional'.

a significant quantity

Replaces 'phenomenal' with 'significant', which focuses on the importance of the amount.

a vast quantity

Replaces "phenomenal" with vast.

a substantial volume

Similar to 'tremendous quantity', but uses 'volume' to emphasize size or capacity.

a huge quantity

Replaces 'phenomenal' with 'huge', indicating a very large amount.

a prodigious quantity

Replacing "phenomenal" with a similar meaning, and more sophisticated adjective: prodigious.

a considerable measure

Uses 'measure' instead of 'amount' and 'considerable' for 'phenomenal', implying a significant quantity.

an extraordinary degree

Shifts from quantity to degree, replacing 'amount' with 'degree' and 'phenomenal' with 'extraordinary'.

FAQs

How can I use "a phenomenal amount" in a sentence?

You can use "a phenomenal amount" to describe a large quantity of something impressive or surprising. For example, "The charity received "a phenomenal amount of donations" after the disaster".

What can I say instead of "a phenomenal amount"?

You can use alternatives such as "a tremendous amount", "a considerable quantity", or "a significant degree", depending on the specific context.

Is it okay to use "a phenomenal amount" in academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "a phenomenal amount" might be perceived as slightly informal for strict academic writing. Consider alternatives like "a substantial quantity" or "a significant proportion" to maintain a more formal tone.

What's the difference between "a phenomenal amount" and "a large amount"?

"A phenomenal amount" implies a quantity that is not just large but also remarkable or surprising, adding emphasis and impact compared to the more neutral expression "a large amount".