a vast part of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a vast part of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant portion of something, often in discussions about geography, demographics, or abstract concepts. Example: "A vast part of the population relies on public transportation for their daily commute."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

"The search is concentrated on a vast part of Malian territory around Gao.

The Guardian

I love popular culture to my marrow because it formed a vast part of my education.

The Guardian - Opinion

And China has submitted a map that seems to assert ownership of a vast part of the South China sea.

The Economist

A vast part of the forest was flooded, so I saw at first hand the huge environmental and social cost of misguided development projects.

The Guardian - Opinion

In this case, volcanic ash clouds could reach up to tropical latitudes, a vast part of the Atlantic coast of South America, South Africa and/or Oceania.

Nature

The economies and well-being of a vast part of the country depend on the health of the Great Lakes, and the lakes' restoration will depend on strong and sustained political leadership.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

The bills would phase out the ability to deduct personal casualty losses from wildfires and earthquakes — a constant threat in vast parts of the state — but keep the deduction for damage from hurricanes and floods like those in Florida and Texas this year.

The New York Times

The "benign state/wicked corporate" argument doesn't work in vast parts of a shrinking interconnected world where international human rights' checks and balances need to be applied without fear or favour.

The Guardian - Opinion

As my colleague Jeffrey Toobin warned, Barr has created a quasi-legal structure for censoring vast parts of Mueller's report.

The New Yorker

The incumbents described this decay of values as "a regional thing" (Expert 13) because vast parts of the population in Berlin had broken away from the religious traditions and values that had formed social cohesion.

Business Research

A Princeton scholar reveals exactly how vast parts of the world have made stunning material progress in modern times and shows why the rest haven't, and how they too can now make great advances.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a vast part of", ensure the noun it modifies is quantifiable or measurable to maintain clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "a vast part of" in very informal writing. Simpler terms like "much of" or "a lot of" might be more appropriate for casual communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a vast part of" functions as a determiner phrase modifying a noun. It specifies a significant proportion or area, indicating that the noun it describes constitutes a large portion of the whole. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

36%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a vast part of" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe a significant portion of something. As verified by Ludwig, it is frequently used in news, scientific, and academic contexts to emphasize the size or extent of a particular aspect. While versatile, avoiding overuse in informal settings will ensure its impact remains strong. Consider using alternatives like "a substantial portion of" or "a significant fraction of" for variety. Remember to quantify the noun it modifies to maintain clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a substantial portion of

Replaces "vast" with "substantial", indicating a considerable amount.

a large segment of

Uses "segment" to emphasize a section or division, maintaining the sense of a significant portion.

a significant fraction of

Substitutes "part" with "fraction", denoting a considerable proportion.

a major share of

Emphasizes the importance and size of the portion.

a considerable amount of

Focuses on the quantity rather than the division, but maintains a similar meaning.

a sizable chunk of

Uses "chunk" for a more informal feel, suggesting a large piece.

a good deal of

Implies a large quantity or extent, though slightly less formal.

a noteworthy extent of

Highlights the remarkableness or significance of the portion.

the lion's share of

Indicates the largest portion, often implying an unequal distribution.

a predominant section of

Highlights that the part is the one that has more power, influence or presence.

FAQs

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

Use "a vast part of" to describe a large portion or area of something. For example, "A vast part of the country is rural."

What phrases are similar to "a vast part of"?

Synonyms include "a substantial portion of", "a large segment of", or "a significant fraction of".

Is "a vast part of" formal or informal?

"A vast part of" is suitable for both formal and neutral contexts, such as news reporting and academic writing. Simpler alternatives might be better for informal conversation.

How does "a vast part of" differ from "a small part of"?

"A vast part of" indicates a large portion, whereas "a small part of" signifies a minor or insignificant portion. The choice depends on the proportion you're describing.