a staggering quantity of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a staggering quantity of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize an unexpectedly large amount of something, often in contexts discussing data, resources, or experiences. Example: "The research revealed a staggering quantity of plastic waste in the ocean, highlighting the urgent need for environmental action."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Worse, for Scotland, the enterprise had been ominously well financed, tying up a staggering quantity of the country's available cash.

The New York Times - Books

Spender adopted the young couple, introduced them to a staggering quantity of famous men and quickly became their closest ally.

The Guardian - Books

To make a significant dent in the 2,500m litres of conventional oil that American refineries churn through each day, biofuel factories would have to be able to get hold of a staggering quantity of feedstock.

The Economist

He was born in Manhattan and reared on Long Island, and over the years he has acquired a staggering quantity of information about things like seventeenth-century window glass, eighteenth-century ceiling paint, and nineteenth-century mother-of-pearl annunciator buttons.

The New Yorker

James Jones, amassing a staggering quantity of closely observed detail, documented the war's human cost in an ambitious trilogy (From Here to Eternity [1951], The Thin Red Line [1962], and Whistle [1978]) that centred on loners who resisted adapting to military discipline.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A staggering quantity of organic matter that will decompose to methane if it is thawed is still frozen in Arctic permafrost.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

No need to panic: there's a known temporary issue caused by importing all the historical comments, which as you can imagine is a staggering quantity.

The Guardian

There is, however, a perverse frisson that comes from witnessing the staggering quantity of butter she employs.

The New Yorker

Companies have realized only recently the staggering quantity of food that is being wasted, said Sarah Vared, interim director at Refed and principal at MissionPoint Capital Partners.

The Guardian

This staggering quantity of DNA, however, almost pales into insignificance compared to the amount of genetic information it contains in the form of the combined genetic codes of every living animal, plant, bacterium, fungus and virus.

Independent

According to the court, not only does the "staggering" quantity of information harvested by the NSA exceed the Patriot Act's statutory ambit, but the government's argument in defence of bulk-collection "defies any limiting principle".

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a staggering quantity of" when you want to emphasize that the amount is surprisingly large or impressive, especially when the scale is unexpected or noteworthy.

Common error

Avoid using "a staggering quantity of" in overly casual or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "a lot of" or "many" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a staggering quantity of" functions as a determiner phrase, modifying a noun to emphasize the unexpectedly large size or amount. As seen in Ludwig, it adds an element of surprise or impressiveness to the quantity being described.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a staggering quantity of" is a grammatically sound phrase used to emphasize a surprisingly large amount of something. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and highlights its prevalence in news and media, encyclopedias, and science contexts. While versatile, it's best reserved for situations where the magnitude is indeed noteworthy, avoiding overuse in casual settings. Alternatives like "an enormous amount of" or "a vast quantity of" can offer similar emphasis, depending on the specific context. Therefore, consider using this phrase to provide more emphasis, with moderate usage and always considering the type of writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an enormous quantity of

Replaces "staggering" with "enormous", emphasizing size rather than surprise.

a vast amount of

Uses "vast" to convey the immensity of the quantity, focusing on scale.

a tremendous volume of

Employs "tremendous volume" to highlight the sheer size and capacity involved.

a huge number of

Replaces "quantity" with "number", suitable for countable items.

an immense supply of

Focuses on the availability and abundance of something.

a massive accumulation of

Suggests a gradual gathering or increase to a large size.

a considerable amount of

Indicates a significant, noteworthy quantity, though less emphatic.

a substantial proportion of

Highlights a significant fraction or percentage.

an unprecedented level of

Emphasizes that the quantity is higher than ever before.

a surprising degree of

Shifts the focus to the unexpected nature of the large quantity.

FAQs

How can I use "a staggering quantity of" in a sentence?

You can use "a staggering quantity of" to emphasize a surprisingly large amount. For example: "The museum holds "a staggering quantity of" ancient artifacts.".

What are some alternatives to "a staggering quantity of"?

You can use alternatives such as "an enormous amount of", "a vast quantity of", or "a tremendous volume of" depending on the context.

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

While generally appropriate, ensure the tone aligns with the overall formality. In some formal contexts, "a significant amount of" or "a considerable number of" might be more suitable.

What is the difference between "a staggering quantity of" and "a large quantity of"?

"A staggering quantity of" implies that the amount is not only large but also surprisingly or impressively so, adding an element of astonishment that "a large quantity of" might lack.