a sheer volume of

USAGE SUMMARY

'a sheer volume of' is a valid phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a very large amount of something, and it can be used to emphasize the size of the amount. For example, "We had to sift through a sheer volume of documents to find the right one."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

But there was a sheer volume of choice.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

A: Just the sheer volume of data was probably the biggest challenge.

TechCrunch

While the U.S. still tops the report's ranking as a source of sheer volume of fraudulent clicks, followed by Canada and the U.K., Vietnam shows an unprecedented ratio of criminal to innocent clicks.

Forbes

As a result, healthcare industry is witnessing an increase in sheer volume of data in terms of complexity, diversity and timeliness [56 58].

Journal of Big Data

But, he conceded in an interview, the sheer volume of amateur opinion is useful.

The New York Times - Food

For a small country with a small language, the sheer volume of Hungarian press offerings can make one's head spin.

The New York Times

It's a laid back beautiful game that at times feels much more like a movie than a game, and yet the sheer volume of the game is most certainly a vast undertaking.

TechCrunch

Lead Animator Zach Volker talks about the use of volumetric lighting and self-casting shadows: "specular mapping on particle effects, environmental tessellation and a drastic increase in the sheer volume of objects create a near-photorealistic world," he says.

The Guardian - Tech

What attracts India's Corleones to so sedate a sport is the sheer volume of betting it generates.

The Guardian - Sport

Reassessments of employment support allowance (ESA) have been suspended as Atos grinds to a halt under the sheer volume of new applications, reassessments, and transfers from old benefits – and the new personal independence payment (PIP) assessments.

The Guardian - Opinion

The mixtapes spawned hit singles, but there's a sense that the sheer volume of them also may have contributed to the slightly underwhelming air that attends the release of Migos's debut album proper.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a sheer volume of" when you want to emphasize not just the quantity, but also the overwhelming or impactful nature of that quantity. It adds a sense of magnitude and can be more persuasive than simply stating "a large amount of."

Common error

While "a sheer volume of" is generally acceptable, overuse in casual conversation can sound stilted. Opt for simpler alternatives like "a lot of" or "tons of" in informal settings to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a sheer volume of" functions as a determiner phrase that modifies a noun. It indicates a large quantity of something, emphasizing its size and impact. As shown in Ludwig, the phrase is used to describe substantial amounts in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

38%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Social Media

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a sheer volume of" is a versatile phrase used to emphasize a large quantity of something, often implying that this quantity is significant or impactful. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used, particularly in news and scientific contexts. While "a sheer volume of" is appropriate for various settings, simpler alternatives may be preferable in casual conversation. Remember to use it when you want to stress not just the quantity, but also the importance or overwhelming nature of that quantity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a massive quantity of

Replaces 'volume' with 'quantity', emphasizing the large amount in a more direct way.

an enormous quantity of

Highlights the quantity is very large, even bigger than with the use of "sheer".

a vast amount of

Emphasizes the immensity or scale of the quantity.

a substantial quantity of

Indicates a large and important amount, similar to 'significant' but more focused on size.

a tremendous amount of

Similar to "vast" or "enormous", stressing an immense quantity.

a significant amount of

Focuses on the importance or impact of the quantity, rather than just its size.

a considerable number of

Highlights that the large amount is countable, suitable for discrete items.

a large quantity of

A more general way to describe a big amount. Lacks the emphasis of "sheer".

a plethora of

Suggests an overabundance or excessive quantity.

a great deal of

Informal way to say a large quantity. Suited for less formal context than the original phrase.

FAQs

How can I use "a sheer volume of" in a sentence?

Use "a sheer volume of" to emphasize a large quantity of something, particularly when that quantity is notable or impactful. For example, "The company processes "a sheer volume of" data every day."

What are some alternatives to "a sheer volume of"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "a massive quantity of", "a significant amount of", or "a vast amount of" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it better to say "a sheer volume of" or "a large volume of"?

"A sheer volume of" emphasizes the magnitude or impact of the quantity, whereas "a large volume of" simply indicates that there is a lot of something. The choice depends on whether you want to stress the size or its effect.

Can "a sheer volume of" be used with both countable and uncountable nouns?

Yes, "a sheer volume of" can be used with both. For example, "A sheer volume of water" (uncountable) or ""a sheer volume of" applications" (countable).