a vast mass

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a vast mass" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a large quantity or volume of something, often in a physical or metaphorical sense. Example: "The storm gathered strength, forming a vast mass of dark clouds that loomed over the horizon."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

It is there that five of the W.U.'s transatlantic cables end, feeding to this continent a vast mass of diplomatic reports, official messages, newspaper dispatches & photographs.

The New Yorker

A vast mass of matter it was, bulky, heavy, rushing without warning out of the black mystery of the sky into the radiance of the sun.

The Guardian

When she died, she left a vast mass of unpublished writing which included three more novels in varying stages of completion.

The Guardian - Books

It has transformed from a small student demonstration at the university to a vast mass of determination stretching for two miles down an adjacent boulevard.

The New York Times

This silence is filled by a vast mass of materials: thousands of letters, Pepys's work-papers and trial documents, naval histories (including Pepys's own), Admiralty papers, contemporary diaries and memoirs and many histories and biographies.

The Guardian

Since then, their response to the emergency has been feeble.The cyclone lifted a vast mass of sea-water and hurled it on low-lying villages on the delta, sweeping away tens of thousands of people.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

It is a vast, heaving mass of people and industry, boasting another dubious distinction: the highest population density in the world, roughly equivalent to a populace the size of Glasgow's squeezed into London's Richmond Park.

The Times

The affordable Model 3 has for years been Tesla's holy grail, a long-promised, long-unreachable key to unlocking a potentially vast mass-market clientele.

The Washington Post

RAVN weeds out legally privileged material, which the SFO isn't allowed to look at during an inquiry, from the vast mass of admissible files.

BBC

Americans have a proper contempt for the vast mass of lawyers, of course.

The Economist

Until then, Ptolemy's map from 300BC provided most of our knowledge of Africa, showing the long Nile River emerging from a great lake, and the vast mass of the Sahara desert cutting off the Mediterranean world from the continent beyond.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a vast mass", consider the context to ensure it accurately reflects the scale and nature of what you're describing. For example, use it for physical substances or collections of data but less so for abstract concepts.

Common error

Avoid using "a vast mass" in casual conversation or informal writing where simpler alternatives like "a lot of" or "a large amount" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a vast mass" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI shows how the phrase describes a substantial quantity or volume of something tangible or intangible.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

17%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a vast mass" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a large amount or quantity of something, often with an emphasis on its size and density. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness and common usage of the phrase. While versatile, it's best suited for formal contexts like news articles, encyclopedic entries, and scientific papers. Alternatives such as "a large quantity" or "a great amount" may be more appropriate for informal settings. When opting for this phrase, ensure it accurately represents the scale and nature of the subject. Consider the contexts to make sure it accurately reflects the scale and nature of what you're describing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a large quantity

Emphasizes amount rather than size or density.

a great amount

Similar to "a large quantity" but can also apply to abstract concepts.

a huge volume

Highlights the capacity or space occupied.

a significant quantity

Emphasizes the importance of the amount.

a substantial amount

Similar to a significant quantity.

a sizable quantity

Indicates a considerable, but not necessarily overwhelming, amount.

a considerable volume

Highlights an important amount or capacity.

an extensive collection

Suggests a gathering of many items.

an immense collection

Highlights a very huge gathering of items.

a mountain of

This is more informal, implying a heap or pile.

FAQs

How can I use "a vast mass" in a sentence?

You can use "a vast mass" to describe a large quantity or volume of something. For example, "The hurricane created a vast mass of floodwater" or "The library contained a vast mass of information".

What are some alternatives to "a vast mass"?

Some alternatives include "a large quantity", "a great amount", or "a huge volume", depending on the specific context.

Is "a vast mass" formal or informal?

"A vast mass" is generally considered more formal and is suitable for academic, scientific, or journalistic writing. Simpler phrases are more appropriate for informal contexts.

When is it appropriate to use "a vast mass" over other similar phrases?

Use "a vast mass" when you want to emphasize both the size and the density or bulk of something. This phrase conveys a sense of immensity and can be particularly effective when describing physical objects or large collections of data.