a volume of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a volume of" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use this phrase when referring to a book or body of work that is composed of multiple individual sections or parts. For example, "The author wrote a volume of poems exploring the complexity of love."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A volume of Brassaï photographs.

The New York Times - Books

It was a volume of modern poems".

The Guardian - Books

He had a volume of Yeats.

The New York Times - Books

Natalia Avetyan examines a volume of photographs.

Harvard University

I started with a volume of her plays.

The Guardian

Paul's mother had read a volume of Proust, he writes.

The New York Times - Books

One, a volume of the journal The Spectator, is here.

The New York Times - Arts

Grasset is publishing a volume of his verse.

The New Yorker

He published a volume of memoirs, Erinnerungen, in 1995.

The Guardian

One of the books is a volume of memoirs.

The New Yorker

Once, he brought her a volume of Yaakov Fichman's poems.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a volume of" when referring to a specific collection of written works, data, or liquid measurements. Ensure the context clearly indicates what is being quantified.

Common error

Avoid using "a volume of" to describe abstract qualities or feelings. Instead of saying 'he expressed a volume of sadness', opt for 'he expressed a great deal of sadness' or 'he showed profound sadness'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a volume of" primarily functions as a determiner phrase followed by a noun. It quantifies the noun, specifying an amount or collection. Ludwig provides numerous examples showcasing this function in varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a volume of" is a versatile quantifier used across various domains, including science, news, and academia, as demonstrated by Ludwig. Its grammatical correctness and high frequency make it a reliable choice for specifying amounts or collections. While Ludwig AI confirms its general usability, remember to use it precisely, especially when describing abstract concepts and consider alternative phrases when appropriate to enhance clarity and impact. The phrase functions primarily as a determiner, contributing to detailed and precise descriptions in both formal and informal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a quantity of

Focuses on the amount or number, rather than the physical form of the collection.

a body of

Implies a substantial or coherent collection, often of knowledge or work.

an amount of

Similar to 'a quantity of', emphasizing the measurable extent.

a collection of

Highlights the act of gathering items together.

a compilation of

Suggests a deliberate assembly of different items into a single work.

a store of

Implies a reserve or accumulation of something.

a mass of

Indicates a large, undifferentiated quantity.

a wealth of

Emphasizes the abundance and value of the collection.

a great deal of

Focuses on the large quantity of something, often uncountable.

a range of

Highlights the variety of items included.

FAQs

How can I use "a volume of" in a sentence?

You can use "a volume of" to refer to a collection of written material, like "a volume of poetry", or to quantify a liquid, like "a volume of 100 ml was used". It can also refer to a large quantity of something.

What are some alternatives to "a volume of"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "a quantity of", "an amount of", "a collection of", or "a body of".

Is it correct to use "a volume of" when referring to abstract concepts?

While possible, it's often better to use more precise language when discussing abstract concepts. Instead of "a volume of sadness", consider phrases like "a great deal of sadness" or "profound sadness".

What's the difference between "a volume of" and "an amount of"?

"A volume of" often refers to something that can be measured physically, like liquid or a collection of books. "An amount of" is more general and can be used for both measurable and non-measurable things.