an abundant source

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an abundant source" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that provides a large quantity of a particular resource or information. Example: "The library is an abundant source of knowledge for students and researchers alike."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

I still miss Martin, but this new partner is turning out to be an abundant source of interesting story lines!

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Little-known works, from different times, styles and countries, "imaginatively juxtaposed, can be an abundant source of innovation".

The New York Times

Pistachio nuts They litter the floors of Spanish bars but pistachio shells could soon be used as an abundant source of renewable energy.

The Guardian

It was near a creek leading to Great South Bay, the Long Island Expressway of its time and an abundant source of food and shells.

The New York Times

In the 1930s even more than today, the Lancashire holiday resort was a bastion of vulgarity and chicanery, and thus an abundant source of newspaper copy.

The Guardian - Books

Supporters of drilling counter that it will unlock an abundant source of affordable energy and create thousands of jobs in economically moribund areas upstate.

The New York Times

The number of feral dogs, whose bite can cause rabies, is also rising because of an abundant source of food near slaughterhouses in cities.

The New York Times

The Plains Indians had an abundant source of hides in the buffalo they hunted, but, as they were nomadic, they had little opportunity to tan the skins.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Although the earth is an abundant source of coal, a significant amount is currently unrecoverable.

International Journal of Energy and Environmental Engineering

While blood is an abundant source of RNA, it is overwhelmingly derived from white blood cells.

Intensive Care Medicine Experimental

Microsatellites or Simple Sequence Repeats (SSRs) represent an abundant source for genetic markers in eukaryotic genomes.

Aquaculture

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an abundant source", ensure the noun it modifies accurately reflects what is being supplied in large quantities. For example, "an abundant source of data" or "an abundant source of inspiration".

Common error

Avoid using "abundant" with countable nouns that cannot logically be quantified in bulk. For instance, instead of saying "an abundant source of solutions", consider "a wide range of solutions" or "many potential solutions".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an abundant source" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or object of a preposition. It identifies something that provides a large quantity of a particular resource, as demonstrated in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

48%

News & Media

44%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "an abundant source" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe something that provides a large quantity of a particular resource. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s suitable for various contexts, especially in science and news media. While alternatives like "a rich source" or "a plentiful source" exist, "an abundant source" emphasizes a more significant and potentially overflowing supply. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the quantity being provided and avoid using it with countable nouns that can't be quantified in bulk. Common authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian frequently employ the phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a limitless supply

Focuses on the unbounded nature of the source.

a plentiful resource

Emphasizes the resource aspect and uses "plentiful" instead of "abundant".

an inexhaustible reserve

Highlights the idea that the source will not run out.

a wellspring of

Implies a continuous and fresh supply, often used for abstract concepts.

a rich vein

Implies a valuable and readily available supply, often used metaphorically.

a mother lode

Suggests a primary and highly productive source, especially for minerals or information.

a vast reservoir

Highlights the large capacity and storage aspect.

a cornucopia

Evokes an image of overflowing abundance, often used figuratively.

a bottomless well

Suggests an inexhaustible supply, often in a metaphorical sense.

a copious fount

Uses more formal and literary language to indicate abundance.

FAQs

How can I use "an abundant source" in a sentence?

Use "an abundant source" to describe something that provides a large quantity of a particular resource. For example, "The internet is "an abundant source" of information".

What can I say instead of "an abundant source"?

You can use alternatives like "a rich source", "a plentiful source", or "a vast reservoir" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "a very abundant source"?

While grammatically correct, "a very abundant source" can sound redundant. Consider using alternatives like "a rich source" or simply "an abundant source" for conciseness.

What's the difference between "an abundant source" and "an ample source"?

"Abundant" implies a greater quantity and potential overflow, while "ample" suggests enough or sufficient. Therefore, "an abundant source" indicates a seemingly endless supply, while "an ample source" suggests a supply that is more than adequate but not necessarily overflowing.