a ton of things

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a ton of things" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used informally to express a large quantity of items or tasks. Example: "I have a ton of things to do before the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

People assume a ton of things.

The Guardian

"It can do a ton of things," he said.

The New York Times

And when you've got a ton of things at stake, it's really scary.

The New York Times - Arts

"There's a ton of things that go into the decision," Brosius said yesterday.

The New York Times - Sports

It's isolating, and there aren't a ton of things to do.

MIT Technology Review

"And then getting up this morning and going over a ton of things in my head and trying to do as much work as I could.

The New York Times - Sports

Because one of the things that we can be sure of is that we will mess a ton of things up.

The New York Times

"Through all of these projects, we've learned a ton of things about aerospace engineering, and with each year, we've literally been able to reach new heights," she said.

Yale University

There's a ton of things I wanna do which is one of the reasons I became a police officer, so I can help people.

The Guardian - Film

"I used to be a guy who'd get off stage and go to the club – drinking, doing a ton of things that I probably shouldn't be doing, which ruins me for the next day".

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

As Dropbox slowly gears up toward its initial public offering, it's bringing on a longtime enterprise executive — Quentin Clark, a former VP of Microsoft as well as SAP CTO — as head of its very-long-title-where-he-will-oversee-a-ton-of-things.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a ton of things", ensure the context is informal. For formal writing, consider alternatives like "a large number of items" or "numerous aspects".

Common error

Avoid using "a ton of things" in formal documents or academic papers. It can sound unprofessional. Instead, opt for more precise language such as "numerous factors" or "various elements".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a ton of things" functions as a quantifier, specifically indicating a large quantity of items, tasks, or abstract concepts. Ludwig AI confirms the expression is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

18%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a ton of things" is a common, informal way to express a large quantity. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and provides numerous examples across various sources. While widely used in news, media, and informal contexts, it is less suitable for formal or academic writing. Consider alternatives like "a large number of items" or "numerous aspects" for more formal settings. The phrase's primary function is to emphasize abundance or numerousness, making it useful for conveying that many items, tasks, or considerations are involved.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a great deal of things

Replaces "ton" with "great deal", emphasizing quantity in a slightly more formal tone.

a large number of things

Uses "large number" to highlight the quantity, providing a more literal description.

a multitude of things

Employs "multitude" to convey a sense of abundance and variety.

numerous items

Shifts the focus to "items", indicating a collection of distinct objects or elements.

various aspects

Highlights the diversity and different facets involved, moving beyond mere quantity.

several matters

Replaces "things" with "matters", suggesting a focus on issues or subjects of concern.

plenty of stuff

Uses "plenty" and "stuff" for a more casual and informal expression of abundance.

a host of elements

Employs "host" and "elements" to convey a large and organized collection.

myriad of items

Swaps to "myriad" suggesting a countless or extremely great number of items.

a sea of considerations

Employs a figurative expression to emphasize numerous factors influencing a decision or situation.

FAQs

What does "a ton of things" mean?

The phrase "a ton of things" is an informal expression used to indicate a large quantity or number of items, tasks, or considerations.

Is it appropriate to use "a ton of things" in formal writing?

No, "a ton of things" is generally considered informal. In formal writing, use alternatives like "a large number of things" or "numerous items".

What can I say instead of "a ton of things"?

You can use alternatives such as "a great deal of things", "a multitude of things", or "numerous aspects" depending on the context.

How can I use "a ton of things" in a sentence?

You can use "a ton of things" in a sentence like this: "I have "a ton of things" to do before I can relax."