a vast crowd

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a vast crowd" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a large number of people gathered in one place, often in the context of events, gatherings, or demonstrations. Example: "During the concert, a vast crowd gathered in the park, eagerly waiting for the performance to begin."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

LONDON Ideal weather brought a vast crowd to the Harvard-Yale boat races today [June 30].

The New York Times

IN 1951 Jawaharlal Nehru, India's first prime minister, addressed a vast crowd on Mumbai's Chowpatty beach.

The Economist

Inside, Chris Thile was playing the mandolin to a vast crowd.

The Guardian

On August 27 a vast crowd assembled and proceeded to the election of the "Eight Saints of God's People".

Encyclopedia Britannica

Later, he walks naked to a balcony and "sees" a vast crowd in an empty square below.

The New Yorker

In his May Day speech to a vast crowd in Havana last Monday he made three departures from previous policy.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

"Bob Marley for me was a teacher, an academic," a member of the vast crowd, Abel Demsew, an 18-year-old student, told me.

Independent

THE annual trade show and convention of the National Business Aviation Association is always a swell affair, with a huge crowd, a vast expanse of convention displays and row after row of shiny new corporate jets lined up at a nearby airport.

The New York Times

Harlequins may have felt they should have secured a bonus-point after running in three tries before the interval but the Chiefs, who won both Premiership games against Quins last season, are cussed opponents and in the second half there was only a penalty apiece for the vast crowd to enjoy.

The Guardian - Sport

Protesters inside the stadium earlier today in Fortaleza asking for better hospitals (Reuters) #ChangeBrazil http://t.co/Y7wl1usVnm — Kety Shapazian (@KetyDC) 19 Jun 13 Video broadcast by TV Globo before Wednesday's match in Fortaleza offered aerial views of the vast crowd filling a road near the Castelão stadium.

The New York Times

Kennedy's energy was fully a match for that of the vast crowd.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing events or situations with a large number of people, use "a vast crowd" to emphasize the scale and impressiveness of the gathering.

Common error

Avoid using "a vast crowd" in overly casual settings where a simpler phrase like "a lot of people" would be more appropriate. The phrase carries a certain weight and formality, so consider your audience and tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a vast crowd" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject or object within a sentence. It modifies the noun "crowd" with the adjective "vast" to denote a large number of people, as confirmed by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

92%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Academia

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a vast crowd" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe a very large group of people. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and frequent usage, particularly within news and media contexts. While versatile, it is best suited for neutral to slightly formal settings, where its emphasis on scale adds impact. Alternatives like "a large gathering" or "a multitude of people" can offer subtle shifts in meaning, allowing for more precise expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a large gathering

Focuses on the act of people coming together, implying a planned or organized event.

a massive throng

Emphasizes the density and potentially overwhelming nature of the crowd.

a huge assembly

Implies a more formal or organized gathering than a simple crowd.

a sea of faces

Uses a metaphor to convey the immense size and anonymity of the crowd.

a multitude of people

Highlights the sheer number of individuals present.

countless attendees

Focuses on the participants of an event, emphasizing their unquantifiable number.

an enormous turnout

Stresses the unexpectedly large number of people who attended an event.

a great concourse

Implies a formal or ceremonial gathering of people.

legions of individuals

Emphasizes the organized or determined nature of the large group of people.

a teeming mass

Suggests a dense, active, and potentially chaotic crowd.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "a vast crowd"?

You can use alternatives like "a large gathering", "a massive throng", or "a multitude of people" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is "a vast crowd" formal or informal?

"A vast crowd" is generally considered to be a neutral to slightly formal phrase. It's suitable for news reports, formal descriptions, and narrative writing. In very casual conversation, simpler phrases might be preferred.

How do I use "a vast crowd" in a sentence?

You can use "a vast crowd" as the subject or object of a sentence to describe a large group of people. For example: "A vast crowd gathered to watch the parade," or "The speaker addressed a vast crowd."

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

While both phrases describe a large number of people, "a vast crowd" suggests an even greater size or scale than "a large crowd". "Vast" emphasizes the immensity and potential impressiveness of the group.