a prodigious amount of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a prodigious amount of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a very large quantity of something, often in a context that emphasizes the impressiveness of that quantity. Example: "The scientist collected a prodigious amount of data during the experiment, which would take years to analyze."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

At Graham's and elsewhere, Poe wrote a prodigious amount of rather extraordinary literary criticism.

The New Yorker

They help communities survive, but produce a prodigious amount of noxious waste.

The Economist

A prodigious amount of ordnance has already been deployed in Mosul.

The New Yorker

To be sure, the lawn consumed a prodigious amount of psychic energy and agricultural expertise well before it opened.

The New York Times - Arts

"A prodigious amount of material," said Mr. Price, who is at about 3,000 documents and searching for more.

The New York Times

The spending by outside groups comes on top of a prodigious amount of cash raised by lawmakers.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

Such a prodigious investment of time and talent indicates an equally prodigious amount of ambition, but surely there must be periods of self-doubt.

The New York Times - Books

"She did an absolutely prodigious amount of work," said her admiring thesis adviser, Prof. Jack Rakove, the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of "Original Meanings: Politics and Ideas in the Making of the Constitution," who taught a course on Thomas Jefferson that Ms. Clinton took last year.

The New York Times

It is, however, technically challenging to perform an anti-capping experiment in the presence of Lpd because of the prodigious amount of actin bundling that occurs in the presence of both VASP and Lpd.

eLife

Matters are not made easier by the prodigious amount of cross-dressing going on and the degree of anonymity some costumes afford.

The New York Times - Books

The disadvantage of both coal fires and early oil lamps and candles was the prodigious amount of smoke produced, which resulted in rapid blackening of the lantern panes, obscuring the light.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a prodigious amount of" to emphasize not just the quantity, but also the remarkable nature of that quantity. For example, "She dedicated a prodigious amount of time to the project, resulting in groundbreaking results."

Common error

Avoid using "a prodigious amount of" in overly casual situations where a simpler phrase like "a lot of" or "a great deal of" would be more appropriate. The term can sound overly formal in everyday conversation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a prodigious amount of" functions as a determiner phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a large and impressive quantity. Ludwig's examples show its versatility in describing various measurable and unmeasurable nouns.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a prodigious amount of" is a phrase used to denote a remarkably large quantity. As shown by Ludwig, it appears most frequently in news media, encyclopedias, and scientific contexts, lending a formal and impressive tone to the writing. While grammatically correct and widely accepted, it's crucial to use it judiciously, avoiding overuse in casual contexts where simpler alternatives suffice. Remember to leverage its impact by reserving it for scenarios where the sheer scale truly warrants emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a considerable quantity of

Replaces "prodigious" with "considerable", indicating a substantial but perhaps less overwhelming amount.

a substantial quantity of

Similar to "a considerable quantity of", but emphasizes the solidity and importance of the amount.

a significant quantity of

Highlights the importance or impact of the large amount.

a vast quantity of

Emphasizes the immensity or scale of the amount.

an enormous quantity of

Stresses the great size or extent of the amount.

a tremendous amount of

Conveys a sense of impressiveness and scale.

a massive amount of

Highlights the sheer size and weight of the amount.

an immense amount of

Suggests a quantity that is beyond ordinary measurement.

a great deal of

A more informal alternative, suitable for general contexts where precision isn't critical.

a large quantity of

A direct and straightforward alternative, lacking the emphasis of "prodigious".

FAQs

How can I use "a prodigious amount of" in a sentence?

Use "a prodigious amount of" to describe something that exists in great quantity or degree, often emphasizing that the quantity is surprisingly large. For example, "The research required a "considerable amount of" funding."

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

You can use alternatives like "a great deal of", "a substantial amount of", or "an enormous amount of" depending on the context.

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

Yes, "a prodigious amount of" is suitable for formal writing. However, consider your audience and ensure that the tone matches the content and purpose of the writing. If unsure, alternatives like "a considerable amount of" or "a significant amount of" are always appropriate.

What is the difference between "a prodigious amount of" and "a large amount of"?

"A prodigious amount of" suggests not only a large quantity but also that the quantity is surprisingly great or impressive. "A "large amount of"" simply indicates a big quantity without necessarily implying surprise or admiration.