a raft of data

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a raft of data" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a large quantity of data or information available for analysis or consideration. Example: "The researchers collected a raft of data to support their findings in the study."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Staff take the players through a raft of data – on exertion rates, nutrition plans.

The Guardian - Sport

See articleNo longer to be feared?A raft of data underlined the depth of the euro zone's economic woes.

The Economist

The Tax Justice Network has produced the Financial Secrecy Index that uses a raft of data from a variety of official sources to rank tax havens.

The Guardian - Opinion

A raft of data published this week will offer the latest health check on the state of the UK economy following June's vote to leave the EU, with economists expecting the figures to suggest businesses were so far "proving resilient".

The Guardian - Business

They represent consumer rights, but they also expect the corporate sector to provide a raft of data when they have security concerns, and in addition they track e-mail and phone conversations directly.

The Economist

As a raft of data washed through the city last week, it became clear that their lives resemble those of growing millions of New Yorkers, for whom the city economy is a floor collapsing.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Users who paid to delete their account have their email address, postal address, username, first and last names wiped from the record, along with their profile information; but a raft of personal data stayed on Ashley Madison's servers, including sexual preferences, height, weight, date of birth, and even the user's latitude and longitude, derived from the address data they entered earlier.

The Guardian - Tech

A raft of economic data last week pointed to a slowing recovery.

The New York Times

Economists noted that the jobs report was the latest in a raft of bleak data.

The New York Times

SHANGHAI -- The booming Chinese economy is showing signs of overheating, according to a raft of new data, and that could spell trouble for this nation's growth early next year.

The New York Times

In 2008, the campaign produced a raft of meteorological data showing it had rained on the date of the speech, Aug. 28, only once in 20 years.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing data, remember to be precise about its source. For example, "According to "a raft of data" published by the OECD, economic growth is slowing".

Common error

While "a raft of data" is a vivid way to describe a large amount of information, avoid using it repeatedly in the same piece of writing. Vary your language with synonyms like "a wealth of data" or "an abundance of data" to keep your writing engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a raft of data" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object of a sentence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it refers to a large quantity of information considered collectively. It's used to describe the information that supports a conclusion or forms the basis for an analysis.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

33%

Science

17%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a raft of data" is a valid and useful phrase, as Ludwig AI confirms, for describing a substantial quantity of information. It functions as a noun phrase and is most frequently found in news and business contexts. While grammatically sound, it is important to use it judiciously and vary your language to avoid repetition. Consider synonyms like "a wealth of data" or "an abundance of data" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. While leaning slightly informal, "a raft of data" remains appropriate for a broad range of writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A wealth of data

Emphasizes the richness and value of the data available.

An abundance of data

Highlights the plentiful and overflowing nature of the data.

A large quantity of data

A more direct and literal way of expressing a substantial amount of data.

A significant amount of data

Focuses on the importance and impact of the data.

A substantial body of data

Implies a structured and organized collection of data.

A mountain of data

Uses a metaphor to convey the overwhelming size and scale of the data.

A sea of data

Uses a metaphor to suggest the vast and seemingly endless expanse of data.

A considerable volume of data

Focuses on the sheer amount and size of the data.

Extensive data set

More technical term suggesting that all data are organized in dataset.

Comprehensive data

Refers to the depth and completeness of the information available.

FAQs

How can I use "a raft of data" in a sentence?

"A raft of data" is typically used to indicate a large quantity of information. For example, "The study analyzed "a raft of data" to determine the effectiveness of the new policy."

What are some alternatives to "a raft of data"?

Alternatives include "a wealth of data", "an abundance of data", or "a significant amount of data". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

Is "a raft of data" formal or informal?

The phrase "a raft of data" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it leans slightly towards the informal side due to its figurative nature. For very formal writing, consider "a significant amount of data" or "a substantial body of data".

How does "a raft of data" differ from "a bit of data"?

"A raft of data" implies a large volume of information, whereas "a bit of data" suggests a small, possibly insignificant, amount. They represent opposite ends of the spectrum in terms of quantity.