a significant amount

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a significant amount" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe anything that is large or considerable, such as a quantity of money, a number of people, or a measure of time. For example, "The charity received a significant amount of donations from local businesses."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I miss a significant amount of school.

The New York Times

They were broken by a significant amount".

The Guardian

It's a significant amount of money.

The Guardian

That's a significant amount for me.

The Guardian

That is a significant amount of oil.

The New York Times

That's a significant amount of money.

MIT Technology Review

"Certainly it's a significant amount, but there's a call for a significant amount".

The New York Times - Sports

And there was a significant amount of it and a significant amount of flame".

The New York Times

They're investing a significant amount of time in our content.

The Guardian - Tech

There is a significant amount of abuse going on".

The Guardian

We have a significant amount of work to do".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a significant amount", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being measured. For example, specify "a significant amount of time", "a significant amount of money", or "a significant amount of effort".

Common error

Avoid using "a significant amount" without specifying what the amount refers to. Vague usage weakens the statement and leaves the reader guessing. Always provide context to clarify what is considered significant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a significant amount" functions as a determiner phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a quantity or degree that is noteworthy or substantial. Ludwig confirms its frequent and correct usage in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Academia

22%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a significant amount" is a versatile phrase used to emphasize that a quantity or degree is notably large or important. As supported by Ludwig, its grammatical status is correct, and it is very commonly used across diverse contexts such as news, academic writing, and scientific reports. When using this phrase, it is best practice to ensure that the context clearly indicates what the amount refers to, thereby avoiding vagueness. Remember that similar phrases such as "a considerable quantity" and "a substantial quantity" can be used as alternatives depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a considerable quantity

Emphasizes the size or number of something being notably large.

a substantial quantity

Highlights the importance or weight of the amount in question.

a notable quantity

Emphasizes that the amount is worthy of attention or recognition.

a sizable portion

Suggests a large part of a whole, often used when referring to shares or allocations.

a good deal

Implies a noticeable quantity, often in an informal context.

a large measure

Focuses on the extent or degree to which something exists.

an appreciable quantity

Indicates that the amount is easily perceived or estimated.

a marked degree

Highlights a noticeable level or intensity.

a fair amount

Suggests that the amount is reasonable or adequate.

a generous quantity

Implies that the amount is more than sufficient or expected.

FAQs

How can I use "a significant amount" in a sentence?

Use "a significant amount" to describe something that is notably large or important. For example, "The project required "a significant amount of time"", "They invested "a significant amount of money"", or "She showed "a significant amount of effort"".

What are some alternatives to "a significant amount"?

You can use alternatives like "a considerable quantity", "a substantial quantity", or "a notable quantity" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "a significant amount" or "significant amounts"?

Use "a significant amount" for uncountable nouns (e.g., time, money, effort). Use "significant amounts" for countable nouns (e.g., resources, donations). For example, "a significant amount of time" vs. "significant amounts of resources".

What's the difference between "a significant amount" and "a considerable amount"?

While both phrases indicate a large quantity, "a considerable amount" often implies that the quantity is worth considering or taking into account, whereas "a significant amount" simply emphasizes that it is large or important.