a vast class of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a vast class of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a large group or category of things, people, or concepts that share common characteristics. Example: "In the study of biology, a vast class of organisms can be classified based on their genetic similarities."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

The number of jobless youths is multiplying in particular, creating a vast class of people who are as angry and resentful as they are energetic and resourceful.

The Guardian - Opinion

The method is an extension of Stone's implicit procedure, includes a vast class of collision terms and can be applied to stationary or non stationary problems with different discretizations in time.

Journal of Computational Physics

OKCupid's algorithms are just one in a vast class of recommender systems used to filter content and offer suggestions to the users of practically every major website and online service you can think of.

The Guardian

Unexpectedly, it uncovers relationships of Thg1 with GGDEF-like catalytic domains, CRISPR system polymerases that are very much in vogue, and, finally, connects them to a vast class of RRM-fold palm domain polymerases.

Biology Direct

NHLs account for a vast class of plant defense-associated proteins that, within their N-terminal halves, contain two highly conserved peptide patterns (motifs 2 and 3) and a less conserved one (motif 1) [ 28].

BMC Plant Biology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The positive-strand RNA virus RdRp and the RT form a monophyletic cluster within the vast class of the so-called palm-domains that are characteristic of numerous polymerases [ 21- 24].

Biology Direct

This review summarizes the impact of the vast class of POMs on the formation of protein crystals, a well-known (frustrating) bottleneck in macromolecular crystallography, with the associated structure elucidation and a particular emphasis focused on POM's potential as a powerful crystallization additive for future research.

Coordination Chemistry Reviews

shRNAs are artificial analogs of endogenous miRNAs, the vast class of small non-coding RNA molecules that regulate stability and translation of their target mRNAs.

Plosone

This vast class of non-coding RNAs still remains poorly understood and its functionality continues to be a subject of debate.

BMC Systems Biology

This vast class of compounds exhibits interesting features in terms of molecular composition, size, solubility, shape, charge density and redox potential.

Coordination Chemistry Reviews

These ideas are applicable utilizing vast classes of polymer matrices and proton conducting fillers.

Journal of Membrane Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a vast class of", ensure that the noun following 'of' is plural to accurately represent the collective nature of the phrase. For example, "a vast class of students" is correct, while "a vast class of student" is incorrect.

Common error

Avoid using "a vast class of" when referring to a relatively small or specific group. This phrase implies a significantly large and diverse grouping; using it inaccurately can diminish the credibility of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a vast class of" functions as a determiner phrase followed by a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun. It serves to qualify and quantify the noun, indicating that it belongs to a large and diverse grouping. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

20%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a vast class of" is a grammatically correct and usable expression, typically employed to describe a large and diverse group or category. Ludwig identifies its usage primarily in scientific, news, and academic contexts, indicating a formal to neutral register. While not exceedingly common, the phrase serves the purpose of categorizing and emphasizing the extensive nature of the subject. When using this phrase, ensure the following noun is plural and be mindful of overstating the 'vastness' when referring to smaller groups.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a broad category of

Replaces 'vast class' with 'broad category', focusing on the wide scope.

a wide range of

Substitutes 'vast class' with 'wide range', emphasizing the diversity within the group.

a large number of

Uses 'large number' instead of 'vast class', quantifying the group's size.

a great variety of

Replaces 'vast class' with 'great variety', highlighting the heterogeneity of the group.

an extensive collection of

Emphasizes the completeness and comprehensiveness of the group.

a substantial body of

Focuses on the considerable size and significance of the group.

a considerable quantity of

Highlights the significant amount or number within the group.

a sweeping array of

Implies a comprehensive and all-encompassing collection.

a diverse assortment of

Emphasizes the varied nature of the group's components.

a multitude of

Highlights the numerous and varied nature of the group's elements.

FAQs

How can I use "a vast class of" in a sentence?

Use "a vast class of" to describe a large and diverse group sharing common characteristics. For example, "The study explored "a vast class of proteins" involved in cellular signaling."

What are some alternatives to "a vast class of"?

Alternatives include phrases like "a broad range of", "a wide variety of", or "a large number of", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "a vast class of" in formal writing?

Yes, "a vast class of" is suitable for formal writing, particularly in academic or scientific contexts, where describing large categories is common.

What's the difference between "a vast class of" and "a large class of"?

While both phrases indicate a sizable group, "a vast class of" suggests a greater degree of diversity and scope compared to "a large class of". The former implies not just size but also considerable variety within the group.