a significant quantity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a significant quantity" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a large amount of something, often in contexts such as research, statistics, or general descriptions of amounts. Example: "The study revealed that a significant quantity of data was collected over the course of the experiment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Scaramella tests positive for a significant quantity of polonium-210.

The Guardian

But they acknowledged that the tankers carried a significant quantity.

The New York Times

A significant quantity of cash had also been seized, he said.

The Guardian

time is probably small enough that it wouldn't amount to a significant quantity of money for most people," he said.

The New York Times - Tech

But even among those 85, they rarely found a significant quantity of the drug they claimed their informant had purchased.

The Washington Post

Scotland Yard confirmed that when police arrested the three at a hotel they seized a "significant quantity of cash".

The Guardian

The car they will build together bears a significant quantity of Saab DNA.

The New York Times

A significant quantity of sandstone slurry gets deposited, and their disposal problem becomes acuter.

Construction and Building Materials

At alkaline pH values they tended to collapse excluding a significant quantity of the incorporated water.

Polymer

"Black is the color we can get a significant quantity of — and it molds better," said Richard Chapman, the general manager of Electrolux in the United States.

The New York Times

A police statement at the end of September said that three of them had been ar rested, carrying Czech arms and "a significant quantity" of mu nitions.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a significant quantity", ensure that the context clearly establishes what is being measured or quantified. Providing specific units or comparisons can enhance clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "a significant quantity" without providing any context or reference point. Readers need to understand the scale and importance of the quantity being described; otherwise, the phrase becomes meaningless.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a significant quantity" functions as a determiner phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a notably large or important amount. Ludwig examples confirm its role in quantifying various subjects across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

46%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a significant quantity" is a versatile and frequently used expression for indicating a notably large or important amount of something. According to Ludwig, it functions as a determiner phrase, emphasizing the importance or impact of the quantity being described. While grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, it's essential to provide clear context to avoid vagueness. As evidenced by examples from Ludwig, the phrase appears most commonly in scientific and news-related contexts, signaling its relevance in factual and informative communication. Alternatives such as ""a considerable amount"" and ""a substantial portion"" offer similar meanings with subtle differences in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a considerable amount

Emphasizes the largeness of the amount being referred to, similar to "a significant quantity" but with a slightly stronger implication of size.

a substantial portion

Highlights that the quantity represents a noteworthy part of a whole.

a large volume

Focuses on the amount as a measurement of capacity or space occupied.

a sizable number

Applicable when referring to countable items, indicating that the count is notably high.

a good deal

An informal expression indicating a large amount or degree.

a plentiful supply

Stresses the abundance and availability of something.

an appreciable extent

Indicates the quantity is large enough to be noticed or have an effect.

a marked degree

Suggests the quantity is high enough to be clearly visible or distinguishable.

a noteworthy amount

Emphasizes the importance or remarkableness of the quantity.

a respectable quantity

Implies that the amount is adequate or satisfactory.

FAQs

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

You can use "a significant quantity" to describe a large or important amount of something. For example, "The experiment required "a significant quantity" of water".

What are some alternatives to saying "a significant quantity"?

Alternatives include "a considerable amount", "a substantial portion", or "a large volume", depending on the context.

Is it better to use "a significant quantity" or "a large quantity"?

"A significant quantity" suggests the amount is not only large but also important or impactful. "A large quantity" simply indicates a big amount without necessarily implying importance.

Can "a significant quantity" be used for both countable and uncountable nouns?

Yes, "a significant quantity" can be used with both countable and uncountable nouns. For countable nouns, you might also use "a significant number". For uncountable nouns, ""a considerable amount"" might be more appropriate.