a staggering amount

USAGE SUMMARY

"a staggering amount" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe a large or impressive quantity of something. Example: The company announced that it had raised a staggering amount of money through its latest funding round.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Not a staggering amount, some might say.

The New York Times

They make together a staggering amount of noise.

The New Yorker

It was a staggering amount of work to curate.

The New York Times

A staggering amount of money is spent on carp angling.

The New York Times - Sports

"The amount Senator Clinton raised is a staggering amount.

The New York Times

Every year, psychologists publish a staggering amount of research — it's impossible to read it all.

The New Yorker

It was a staggering amount and I couldn't afford it, so I got kicked out.

The Guardian

Inception also contains a staggering amount of exposition, breathlessly gabbled by the cast between action sequences.

Independent

An accompanying picture caption repeated the erroneous phrase "a staggering amount".

The New York Times

That builds up to a lot over a year – and a staggering amount over a lifetime.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

That's a staggering amount, particularly if you've got shareholders clamoring for you to crush your past numbers.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a staggering amount" when you want to emphasize the surprising or overwhelming nature of a large quantity. It adds more impact than simply saying "a large amount".

Common error

While "a staggering amount" is widely acceptable, it can sometimes sound slightly informal in highly formal or academic writing. Consider alternatives like "a substantial quantity" or "a considerable volume" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a staggering amount" functions as a modifier (adjective phrase) followed by a noun, quantifying something in an impressive and sometimes overwhelming manner. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Science

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a staggering amount" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to describe a surprisingly large quantity of something. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread use. While versatile, it's most common in news and media contexts. For more formal writing, consider alternatives like "a substantial quantity" or "a considerable volume". Remember to use "a staggering amount" when you want to emphasize the impressiveness or unexpectedness of the quantity you're describing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an immense amount

Similar to "staggering" but may imply more of a sense of vastness or boundlessness.

an enormous quantity

Emphasizes size and volume, suitable for tangible items.

a vast quantity

Emphasizes the breadth or expanse of something.

a prodigious sum

Implies something exceptional or extraordinary, often related to money or achievements.

a considerable quantity

Suggests a notable amount, but less dramatic than "staggering".

a substantial volume

Focuses on the physical extent or capacity, often used in technical contexts.

a significant number

Indicates a noteworthy count, emphasizing quantity over other qualities.

a huge quantity

More informal and direct, simply highlighting the large size.

a mountain of

More figurative, suggesting a large, overwhelming accumulation.

a wealth of

Often used for intangible things like information, experience, or knowledge.

FAQs

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

You can use "a staggering amount" to describe something that is surprisingly large or impressive in quantity. For example, "The company invested "a staggering amount" of money in research and development this year."

What can I say instead of "a staggering amount"?

You can use alternatives like "an enormous quantity", "an immense amount", or "a substantial volume" depending on the context.

Is it always appropriate to use "a staggering amount" in formal writing?

While generally acceptable, in very formal or academic writing, consider using more neutral alternatives like "a considerable quantity" or "a significant number" to maintain a professional tone.

What's the difference between "a staggering amount" and "a large amount"?

"A staggering amount" emphasizes the surprising or overwhelming nature of the quantity, while "a large amount" simply indicates a significant quantity without the added emotional impact.