amass

USAGE SUMMARY

"amass" is a real word and it is used in written English.
It is a verb meaning to gather a large amount of something, often over a period of time. Example sentence: Over the years, he had managed to amass a considerable fortune.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Berlusconi or Brussels Aznar hurt, ETA clobbered Ilir Meta The bill's on me, says Berezovsky Reprints Related items Russia: Media muzzleApr 19th 2001 Boris Berezovsky, puppeteer or future victim?Mar 23rd 2000Mr Berezovsky is amassing other people's moral capital just as he used to amass the real stuff a few years ago.

The Economist

He said the construction industry had held a forum to discuss the issue, which led the Consulting Association to amass files on more than 200 protesters.

The Guardian - Business

Johnson was one of 3,881,129 people to put a cross on the ballot paper in support of Farage's Ukip party, a sizeable show of support that managed to amass one solitary MP.

The Guardian

The BBC reported that one of the first tasks for the project, also known as the i-Army, was to create social media accounts and amass friends posing as residents of eastern Ukraine.

The Guardian

Newcomers can amass hundreds of thousands of followers by posting photos of their dirty sneakers dangling off buildings Rooftopping, or 'buildering' as yet another variant is called, is nothing new.

The Guardian

Relative newcomers to the scene can amass hundreds of thousands of followers in mere months by posting photos of their dirty sneakers dangling off buildings or, even better, photos of themselves dangling off buildings.

The Guardian

But a Justice Department inspector general report found the FBI had come to use the business-records provision to amass "large collections" of Americans' communications data.

The Guardian

Entry would allow professionals like him to amass more land.

The Economist

By gobbling up shares in after-hours trading, Mr Horie was able quickly to bypass reporting rules and amass a big stake in Fuji TV's subsidiary, Nippon Broadcasting System (NBS), acquiring more than half of the voting rights.

The Economist

Overall, such techniques have helped American companies to amass an estimated $1.9 trillion offshore, safe from the American taxman.Assiduous tax avoidance has driven down the share of corporate tax to around 9% of federal government revenues, says Mr Levin, noting that the average American public company pays an effective rate of 15%, less than half the statutory rate of 35%.

The Economist

Unlike the 19th-century European powers, it is not looking to amass new colonies.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "amass" when you want to emphasize the accumulation of something in large quantities, often over a period of time. It is particularly appropriate when referring to wealth, resources, or collections.

Common error

Avoid using "amass" when simply "collect" suffices. "Amass" implies a significant quantity accumulated over time, while "collect" can refer to smaller, more deliberate gatherings. Choose "collect" when the emphasis is on the act of gathering, not the quantity or gradual process.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "amass" is as a transitive verb. It requires a direct object, indicating what is being accumulated. Ludwig's examples confirm its active role in describing the action of gathering or accumulating.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "amass" is a transitive verb used to describe the process of accumulating a large quantity of something over time. It is grammatically correct and very common, frequently appearing in news media and formal business contexts. Ludwig provides numerous examples showcasing its versatility. While related to words like "collect" and "gather", "amass" emphasizes quantity and gradual accumulation. It's best used when the significance of the accumulated amount is central to the message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

accumulate

Focuses on gradual increase over time, similar to "amass" but often implies a more passive process.

gather

Implies bringing things together from different places into one location.

collect

Suggests a deliberate act of bringing similar items together, often for a specific purpose.

pile up

Describes an accumulation forming a heap or mound.

build up

Suggests gradual growth or increase, often over a long period.

hoard

Implies secretly gathering and storing away a large quantity of something, often with a sense of possessiveness.

compile

Indicates gathering information or data to create a structured collection.

rack up

Informal way to describe accumulating points, scores, or debts.

aggregate

Focuses on combining separate items into a total or sum.

assemble

Indicates gathering people or things together for a specific purpose.

FAQs

How do I use "amass" in a sentence?

Use "amass" to describe the gathering of a large quantity of something, often over time. For example: "He managed to amass a considerable fortune over his career."

What can I say instead of "amass"?

You can use alternatives like "accumulate", "gather", or "collect" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "amass wealth"?

Yes, "amass wealth" is a common and correct usage. It implies accumulating a large amount of money or assets over time.

What's the difference between "amass" and "hoard"?

"Amass" generally implies accumulating something in large quantities, while "hoard" suggests secretly gathering and storing something away, often with a sense of possessiveness or unwillingness to share.