an obscene amount of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an obscene amount of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a quantity that is excessively large or inappropriate in a particular context. Example: "The company spent an obscene amount of money on marketing last year, far exceeding their budget."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Huffington Post

Vice

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

There was an obscene amount of pressure.

The New York Times

"It was an obscene amount of gunfire," said one witness.

The New York Times

"I think it's an obscene amount of money.

The Guardian

"But it's going to sell for an obscene amount of money".

The New York Times - Arts

"But a political contribution of $353,000?!??! That's just an obscene amount of money".

The Guardian

"It's an obscene amount of money to pay for this," Nelson said.

The New York Times

"It's an obscene amount of money," the state Republican chairman, Senator Joseph M. Kyrillos Jr., told reporters Wednesday.

The New York Times

"I'd come from quite a working-class background, and everyone had an obscene amount of money," he says.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Julie Bailey, from the campaign group Cure the NHS, said: "It is an obscene amount of money for failure.

The Guardian

I never deviated from that so I feel exonerated at last.  "The trust has spent an obscene amount of taxpayers' money fighting me.

Independent

The central charge is that governments have "wasted an obscene amount of public money" by buying systems on too large a scale from too few suppliers.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an obscene amount of" when you want to express strong disapproval or shock at a quantity that is perceived as excessive and morally objectionable.

Common error

Avoid using "an obscene amount of" in formal or professional writing, as it can be perceived as too informal or emotive. Opt for more neutral alternatives like "a significant amount of" or "a large quantity of" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an obscene amount of" functions as a determiner phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a quantity that is considered excessive and morally objectionable. Ludwig's examples show it being used to describe money, pressure, gunfire, and other countable and uncountable nouns. Ludwig AI indicates that this is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Huffington Post

15%

Vice

10%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

The Economist

1%

TechCrunch

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "an obscene amount of" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to convey strong disapproval or shock at an excessive quantity. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is valid in English writing. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts. While effective for expressing strong emotion, it should be used judiciously in formal settings where a more neutral tone is preferred. When a more neutral tone is required, alternatives include "an excessive quantity of" or "a large quantity of".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an excessive quantity of

Replaces 'obscene' with a more neutral term for 'too much'.

a scandalous quantity of

Substitutes 'obscene' with 'scandalous', emphasizing the shocking or offensive nature of the amount.

an outrageous quantity of

Replaces 'obscene' with 'outrageous', stressing the unacceptability of the amount.

a preposterous quantity of

Uses 'preposterous' instead of 'obscene', suggesting the amount is absurd or ridiculous.

an inordinate quantity of

Employs 'inordinate' instead of 'obscene', implying the amount is beyond what is normal or reasonable.

an unconscionable quantity of

Replaces 'obscene' with 'unconscionable', highlighting the moral objection to the amount.

a sickening quantity of

Uses 'sickening' instead of 'obscene' emphasizing a feeling of disgust at the amount.

a vulgar quantity of

Replace 'obscene' with 'vulgar', suggesting the amount is in poor taste or crude.

a shameful quantity of

Substitute 'obscene' with 'shameful', emphasizing the embarrassing nature of the amount.

a disgusting quantity of

Replaces 'obscene' with 'disgusting', underscoring the revulsion caused by the amount.

FAQs

How can I use "an obscene amount of" in a sentence?

This phrase typically precedes a noun to describe a quantity that is considered excessively large or inappropriate. For instance, "The company spent "an obscene amount of" money on marketing." It expresses a strong negative sentiment toward the quantity.

What are some alternatives to "an obscene amount of"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "an excessive quantity of", "a scandalous quantity of", or "an outrageous quantity of" to convey a similar meaning with varying degrees of intensity.

Is "an obscene amount of" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "an obscene amount of" is generally considered informal and emotive. In formal writing, it's better to use more neutral and professional alternatives like "a significant amount of" or "a large quantity of".

What's the difference between "an obscene amount of" and "an excessive amount of"?

Both phrases describe a quantity that is too large, but ""an obscene amount of"" carries a stronger connotation of moral objection or disgust. "An excessive amount of" simply indicates that there is more than is necessary or desirable, without the same level of condemnation.