an accumulation of

USAGE SUMMARY

"an accumulation of" is correct and usable in written English.
It is commonly used to refer to a large quantity or number of something that has been gathered together over time. For example, "The museum holds an accumulation of artwork from the 19th century."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was an accumulation of accidental discoveries.

The New York Times - Travel

"It was an accumulation of things last year.

Independent

"It's an accumulation of tidbits," he said.

The New York Times

It means it's an accumulation of things".

The Guardian - Arts

And that's an accumulation of four years.

Princeton University

"There is an accumulation of lots of bad karma.

The New York Times - Magazine

The map then is an accumulation of errors or rumors.

The New York Times - Arts

There has to be an accumulation of credits.

The New Yorker

Nothing more than an accumulation of information points.

The Guardian - Books

"Most of his knockouts developed from an accumulation of punches.

The New York Times - Sports

No, the butterfly captivates us through an accumulation of virtues.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an accumulation of" to describe a gradual increase or gathering of something over time. It's suitable for both tangible items and abstract concepts.

Common error

Avoid using "an accumulation of" to describe something that happens instantly. "Accumulation" implies a process over time, not a single event.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an accumulation of" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig examples show it describing both tangible and intangible quantities, such as "an accumulation of errors" or "an accumulation of information".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Academia

21%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an accumulation of" is a versatile phrase used to describe a gradual increase or gathering of something over time. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used. Found most frequently in news and academic contexts, it maintains a neutral register suitable for diverse audiences. When writing, remember that "accumulation" implies a process, not a single event. Consider alternatives like "a collection of" or "a build-up of" to fine-tune your meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an aggregation of

Implies a formal or scientific grouping of data or elements.

a build-up of

Emphasizes a gradual increase, often with negative connotations like pressure or blockage.

a store of

Suggests a reserve or supply of something available for use.

a repository of

Implies a place or source where something is stored or accumulated.

a collection of

Highlights a deliberate gathering of items, often for a specific purpose.

a mass of

Indicates a large, undifferentiated quantity of something.

a stockpile of

Suggests a large reserve of resources or materials, usually kept for future use.

a fund of

Refers to a supply or stock of information, knowledge or qualities.

a cluster of

Describes a closely packed group of similar things.

a backlog of

Refers to an accumulation of tasks or items waiting to be processed.

FAQs

How can I use "an accumulation of" in a sentence?

You can use "an accumulation of" to describe a gradual increase in quantity, such as "The city suffered from "an accumulation of trash" after the festival".

What are some alternatives to using "an accumulation of"?

Depending on the context, you might use alternatives like "a collection of", "a build-up of", or "a mass of".

Is it better to say "accumulation of" or "accumulated"?

The choice depends on the sentence structure. "Accumulated" is a verb or adjective (e.g., "accumulated knowledge"), while "an accumulation of" is a noun phrase (e.g., "an accumulation of errors").

What's the difference between "an accumulation of" and "a collection of"?

"An accumulation of" suggests a gradual gathering, while "a collection of" implies a deliberate assembly. For example, "an accumulation of dust" happens naturally, while "a collection of stamps" is intentionally created.