a prodigious number

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a prodigious number" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It means an exceptionally large or impressive number. Example: "The scientist's groundbreaking research led to a prodigious number of discoveries in the field of medicine."

✓ Grammatically correct

General Writing

Academic Writing

News Reporting

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

Voltaire's beliefs prompted a prodigious number of polemical writings.

Encyclopedia Britannica

There has been a prodigious number of advances made in the development of technically-reliable membranes.

Chemical Engineering and Processing: Process Intensification

She later made a prodigious number of great records under his auspices.

The Guardian

Staff and students collaborate with established firms and set up a prodigious number of their own.

The Economist

Using the Fela sound, Antibalas has created its following through a prodigious number of local gigs.

The New York Times

After 1957, when they formed Hanna-Barbera Productions, they made a prodigious number of cartoon series for television.

Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

With the injuries almost keeping pace with the prodigious number of losses, it has become difficult for the Mets to soldier on.

The New York Times

Given the still prodigious number of unemployed or underemployed skilled aerospace workers in the region, Dr. Chen expects little trouble staffing his plant.

The New York Times

Greig's may be only a short period of ostentatious detoxification; just long enough for his proprietors and friends, the Rothermeres, to start living down Dacre's "enemies of the people", and to reassure his own, prodigious number of distinguished friends, that this is no longer the same paper that produced "Never mind Brexit, who won legs-it?".

The Guardian - Opinion

He's pledged to hunt for savings in the city's largest departments, starting with the prodigious number of lawsuits against the Los Angeles Police Department.

Los Angeles Times

The Pops job means another addition to the already prodigious number of hats worn by this acclaimed interpreter of American standards.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a prodigious number" to emphasize that the quantity is not only large but also impressive or remarkable. It adds a touch of formality and intensity to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "a prodigious number" in casual conversation or informal writing. It can sound overly formal or pretentious in contexts where simpler language would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a prodigious number" functions as a determiner phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a quantity that is impressively large. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a prodigious number" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that signifies an exceptionally large or impressive quantity. As Ludwig AI suggests, it is appropriate for use in various written contexts, particularly when emphasizing the scale of something is important. While it may sound overly formal in casual conversation, it is well-suited for formal writing, academic papers, and news reports. When you want to convey that something is not just numerous but remarkably so, "a prodigious number" is a good choice. Remember to avoid overuse in informal contexts to maintain a natural tone. There are also alternatives such as "a substantial quantity", "a considerable amount", or "a significant quantity", which can be used depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a substantial quantity

Replaces "number" with "quantity" and uses "substantial" to convey a significant amount.

a significant quantity

Uses "quantity" instead of "number" and "significant" to suggest an important amount.

a considerable amount

Uses "amount" instead of "number" and "considerable" to indicate a noteworthy quantity.

a vast amount

Replaces "prodigious" with "vast" to emphasize the immensity of the amount.

a great quantity

Uses "great" to convey a large quantity without the intensity of "prodigious".

a large volume

Emphasizes the bulk or capacity using "volume" instead of "number".

an abundance of

Highlights the plentiful nature of something, suggesting more than enough.

a wealth of

Implies abundance and richness, suggesting a plentiful supply.

a profusion of

Indicates a lavish or extravagant supply, emphasizing the richness and exuberance.

a mountain of

Creates a visual metaphor to describe an overwhelming quantity or amount.

FAQs

What does "a prodigious number" mean?

The phrase "a prodigious number" signifies an exceptionally large, impressive, or remarkable quantity of something.

How can I use "a prodigious number" in a sentence?

You can use "a prodigious number" to describe something that exists in a notably large quantity, like "The library houses "a prodigious number" of rare manuscripts."

What are some alternatives to saying "a prodigious number"?

Alternatives include "a substantial quantity", "a considerable amount", or "a significant quantity", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "a prodigious number" in formal writing?

Yes, "a prodigious number" is perfectly appropriate for formal writing. Its elevated tone makes it suitable for academic papers, reports, and other professional contexts.