as a mass

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as a mass" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a group or collection of items or people considered collectively rather than individually. Example: "The protesters gathered as a mass in front of the city hall, demanding change."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

They see Palestinians as a mass, and [the Palestinians] see us as a mass as well.

The Guardian

"We will treat it as a mass grave," he added.

The New York Times

"But they still treated everything as a mass product.

The New York Times

He promised to keep Rover as a mass producer.

The Economist

But as a mass medium, television is in another league.

The New York Times - Arts

As a mass sensor, temperature sensor, pressure sensor, particle detector, etc., the FBAR is quite attractive.

University of California, Berkeley

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

And we don't think that's a good thing as a mass-societal effect".

Vice

They did not see it as a mass-market format".

The Guardian - Music

Why was it so successful as a mass-culture medium?

Independent

The springboard is modeled as a mass-spring system.

Human Movement Science

He disliked rock 'n' roll, which he saw as a mass-market threat.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "as a mass", ensure the context clearly indicates a group or collection being considered together, rather than individuals separately. This provides a sense of scale, unity, or general impact.

Common error

Avoid using "as a mass" when referring to individual actions or isolated incidents. This phrase is most effective when describing collective behavior, widespread trends, or the overall impact of something.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as a mass" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase, often acting as an adverbial modifier. According to Ludwig, it modifies verbs or clauses to describe how something is perceived, treated, or occurs, focusing on the collective nature of a group or entity. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in describing phenomena like "mass removal" or "mass coping mechanisms."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

24%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the prepositional phrase "as a mass" is a versatile expression used to describe a group or collection viewed collectively, rather than individually. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across various contexts, including news, science, and general communication. It helps to emphasize scale, unity, or general impact. When writing, remember to use it when you intend to convey the overall effect or characteristic of a group, instead of focusing on individual members. This ensures clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as a collective unit

Highlights the unified nature of a group functioning as one, adding emphasis on the coordinated behavior.

as a whole

Focuses on the entirety of a group or entity, presenting it as a single, complete unit without emphasizing individual components.

en masse

A French term meaning "in a body" or "all together", conveys a sense of unified action but might be perceived as more formal or stylized.

collectively

Emphasizes the action of a group as a single unit, changing the focus from the group's form to its unified behavior.

as a body

Implies a unified group acting together, often in a formal or organized manner, which can be more specific than "as a mass".

in general

Shifts the focus to a broader overview, indicating a trend or characteristic applicable to most members of a group, rather than the group itself.

on a large scale

Highlights the extensive scope or impact of something, differing from "as a mass" by emphasizing the scale rather than the collective.

in totality

Emphasizes completeness or the overall view, changing the focus from a collection to the entire scope of something.

in bulk

Suggests dealing with something in large quantities, typically referring to physical items or data, unlike the more general "as a mass".

as an aggregate

Presents something as a sum total of individual parts, suitable in statistical or analytical contexts, changing the level of formality.

FAQs

How can I use "as a mass" in a sentence?

You can use "as a mass" to describe a group considered collectively. For example, "The protesters gathered "as a mass" in front of the building" or "They viewed the refugees "as a mass", not as individuals".

What are some alternatives to "as a mass"?

Alternatives include "collectively", "in general", "on a large scale", or "as a whole", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "in mass" instead of "as a mass"?

While "en masse" (French for "in a mass") is a valid alternative, "in mass" is less common and might sound awkward. Sticking with ""as a mass"" or "en masse" ensures clarity and correctness.

What's the difference between "as a mass" and "as a group"?

"As a group" simply indicates a collection of individuals. "As a mass" implies a larger, less differentiated collection, often suggesting a lack of individual identity or a focus on the overall impact.