astronomical number of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "astronomical number of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an extremely large quantity or amount of something, often in a hyperbolic or exaggerated context. Example: "The research team discovered an astronomical number of stars in the newly observed galaxy."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Enigma used a series of electrical rotors to scramble messages in an astronomical number of ways.

The New York Times

It was used by German military intelligence for top-secret communications that were scrambled by electrical rotors into an astronomical number of possible arrangements.

The New York Times

But like most open-source companies, MySQL's sales, tied to support deals, never matched the astronomical number of downloads for its product, about 60,000 a day.

The New York Times - Tech

In practice, problems often involve hundreds of equations with thousands of variables, which can result in an astronomical number of extreme points.

Britannica

Exact (Branch and Bound) and heuristic optimisation procedures are used to identifying highly scoring sequences from an astronomical number of possibilities.

Journal of Molecular Biology

However, searching for the optimal designs of composites is extremely challenging due to the astronomical number of possible material and geometry combinations.

Extreme Mechanics Letters

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

The virus particles were invisible, and there were astronomical numbers of them in the wards; they were all over the floor and all over the patients.

The New Yorker

The coast of Algeria is famous for its sardine fisheries; the sardines are abundant there because deep, cold water flowing upward provides the minerals to support astronomical numbers of diatoms.

The New Yorker

Not only that, but even a tiny error, a highly specific combination of minor flaws in the code, will affect astronomical numbers of people.

TechCrunch

However, straightforward implementations, like those attempted by McCarthy and his students in the late 60s, were especially intractable: the programs required astronomical numbers of steps to prove simple theorems.

Wikipedia

Clinton can't and won't try to avoid the problem that has been perennially the single biggest tormenting lightening rod for black-white discord, namely, wanton police violence against blacks and minorities, and the astronomical numbers of blacks in America's jails and prisons.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "astronomical number of", ensure that the context clearly indicates a quantity so large that it is difficult to fathom. This phrase is best used for emphasis and should be appropriate for the tone of your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "astronomical number of" to describe everyday quantities that are merely large but not truly exceptional. This can diminish the phrase's impact and make your writing sound hyperbolic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "astronomical number of" functions as a quantifier, specifically describing the magnitude of a noun. It emphasizes the extremely large size of a quantity. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's often used to describe something that is virtually immeasurable due to its scale.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

38%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "astronomical number of" is a versatile quantifier used to denote an exceptionally large quantity. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. Its primary contexts include Science, News & Media, and Encyclopedias, indicating a range from formal to neutral registers. When employing this phrase, ensure that the context justifies the hyperbole to maintain clarity and impact. Alternatives such as "immense quantity of" or "vast amount of" can be used for similar effect, depending on the desired tone. Avoid overuse in commonplace situations to preserve its emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

immense quantity of

Replaces "astronomical" with "immense", focusing on the vast size.

vast amount of

Uses "vast amount" to indicate a large quantity, which is slightly less formal.

huge number of

Simpler and more direct, replacing "astronomical" with "huge".

tremendous quantity of

Emphasizes the scale using "tremendous", suggesting a significant magnitude.

countless instances of

Highlights the inability to count, implying a very large number.

innumerable occurrences of

More formal, suggesting that occurrences are too many to be counted.

limitless supply of

Indicates that the supply is so large it seems to have no limit.

boundless array of

Suggests a variety that is extensive and unlimited.

unfathomable sum of

Implies the quantity is so large it's difficult to comprehend.

myriad of

A more literary term for a very large number or variety.

FAQs

How can I use "astronomical number of" in a sentence?

Use "astronomical number of" to describe something extremely large or numerous. For example, "The experiment generated an astronomical number of data points."

What's a good substitute for "astronomical number of"?

Alternatives include "immense quantity of", "vast amount of", or "huge number of", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "a astronomical number of" or "an astronomical number of"?

It should be "an astronomical number of" because "astronomical" begins with a vowel sound.

When is it inappropriate to use "astronomical number of"?

Avoid using it for quantities that are large but not exceptionally so. Overusing it can dilute its impact. Save it for truly staggering amounts.