a quantity of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'a quantity of' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to an unspecified amount of something, typically to indicate that the amount is large. For example, "We had a quantity of people attending the event."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

(A) Quantity of biofilm formation.

Nature

A Quantity of Books v. Kansas, supra.

Cornell University

There was a quantity of things that men hated.

The New Yorker

That bidding inevitably involved them obtaining a quantity of drugs.

The Guardian

"Forget quality; aim now to get a quantity of answers.

The New Yorker

It can be hard to visualize a quantity of water.

The New Yorker

Some unfortunate wretch had had a quantity of clothing stolen.

The Guardian - Travel

He accumulalted a quantity of leterature on architecture and equipment.

The New Yorker

It does require a quantity of time to be present.

University of California, Berkeley

The police found a quantity of drugs in his car.

The New York Times - Sports

A quantity of textiles, albeit in fragments, has also survived.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a quantity of" when you want to indicate an unspecified amount, especially when the exact number is not important or unknown. It is suitable for both countable and uncountable nouns.

Common error

While generally correct, "a quantity of" can sometimes sound overly formal. In less formal contexts, consider simpler alternatives like "some", "many", or "a lot of" depending on the specific context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a quantity of" functions as a determiner followed by a noun, modifying the noun to indicate an unspecified or unquantified amount. Ludwig AI indicates that it's grammatically sound and the examples show its proper use in different contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Academia

21%

Science

18%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a quantity of" is a versatile phrase used to denote an unspecified amount, applicable to both countable and uncountable nouns. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely used across various domains. While generally neutral, it tends towards formality, especially in academic, scientific, and journalistic contexts. When writing, be mindful of the context and consider whether simpler alternatives like "some" or "many" might be more appropriate for less formal settings. With these considerations, you can confidently use "a quantity of" to effectively convey amounts without precise quantification.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an amount of

Replaces "quantity" with "amount", implying a similar but potentially less precise measurement.

a number of

Specifically refers to countable items, whereas "quantity" can refer to both countable and uncountable things.

a measure of

Suggests a specific unit or standard by which something is assessed.

a volume of

Implies a large amount, often used for liquids or abstract concepts.

a proportion of

Indicates a part or share of a whole, rather than a general amount.

a supply of

Suggests an available stock or reserve of something.

a considerable amount of

Emphasizes that the amount is significant or noteworthy.

a significant portion of

Highlights that a substantial part of something is being referred to.

a certain degree of

Implies a level or extent of something, often abstract.

a bulk of

Used to describe a large mass or volume of something.

FAQs

How can I use "a quantity of" in a sentence?

Use "a quantity of" before a noun to indicate an unspecified amount. For example, "The police found "a quantity of" drugs in his car" or "The troops collected "a quantity of" documents".

What's the difference between "a quantity of" and "an amount of"?

"A quantity of" is generally used for both countable and uncountable nouns, while "an amount of" is typically used for uncountable nouns. However, they are often interchangeable. For example, you can say "a quantity of water" or "an amount of water", but it's more common to say "a number of people" rather than "a quantity of people".

What are some alternatives to "a quantity of"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "an amount of", "a number of", "some", "many", or "a lot of". The best choice depends on whether you're referring to countable or uncountable nouns and the level of formality you want to convey.

Is "a quantity of" formal or informal?

"A quantity of" is generally considered more formal than alternatives like "some" or "a lot of". It's suitable for academic, professional, and journalistic writing, but might sound slightly stilted in casual conversation.