barrels of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "barrels of" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a large quantity of something, often in a figurative sense, to emphasize abundance. Example: "The festival attracted barrels of visitors, making it one of the most successful events of the year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

178 million barrels of oil.

The New Yorker

It still needs barrels of goodwill.

The Economist

Barrels of chemicals have been carted away.

The New York Times

Reserves are 1bn barrels of oil equivalent.

The Guardian - Business

Barrels of empty bottles being carried out.

The New Yorker

An earlier version referred to 6tn barrels of oil where 6bn barrels of oil was meant.

The Guardian

Others wade across the river, pushing barrels of smuggled petrol.

The Economist

It pumps 1.1 million barrels of oil a day.

The New York Times

Iraq exports about 2.2m barrels of oil a day.

The Economist

In 1927, Oklahoma produced 278m barrels of crude oil.

The Economist

The Alaskan Arctic potentially holds 27 billion barrels of oil.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "barrels of" to vividly describe large quantities, especially when emphasizing volume or containerization.

Common error

Avoid using "barrels of" to describe abstract or non-physical quantities where a container metaphor is inappropriate. For example, use "a lot of effort" instead of "barrels of effort".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "barrels of" typically functions as a quantifier, modifying a noun to indicate a large amount or volume. Ludwig examples show it describing both literal containers (e.g., "barrels of oil", "barrels of beer") and figurative quantities (e.g., "barrels of goodwill").

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "barrels of" is a common and generally acceptable way to describe a large quantity of something. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread use, particularly in news and media contexts. While versatile, it's important to consider the context and avoid using it where the container metaphor doesn't fit. For more formal situations, consider alternatives like "significant amount of" or "considerable quantity of". Overall, "barrels of" is a useful and descriptive phrase when used appropriately.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Lots of

Emphasizes quantity without specifying the container.

Tons of

Informal way to express a large amount, similar to "lots of".

Abundance of

Focuses on the plentiful nature rather than a container.

A great deal of

More formal way to indicate a large quantity.

Vats of

Similar to "barrels", but implies larger containers or vats.

Boatloads of

Suggests a very large quantity that could fill a boat.

Mountains of

Uses a metaphor to convey a very large quantity.

Piles of

Implies disorganized heaps of something.

Heaps of

Similar to "piles of", suggesting a disorganized quantity.

A plethora of

Formal and emphatic way to indicate a large quantity.

FAQs

How can I use "barrels of" in a sentence?

You can use "barrels of" to describe a large quantity of something, especially liquids or goods typically stored in barrels. For example, "The company produced "barrels of beer" for the festival."

What can I say instead of "barrels of"?

You can use alternatives like "lots of", "tons of", or "a great deal of" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "barrels of" in formal writing?

While generally acceptable, "barrels of" is more informal. For formal writing, consider more precise terms or alternatives like "significant amount of" or "considerable quantity of".

When should I use "barrels of" versus "tons of"?

"Barrels of" is best used for items that can be, or historically were, stored in barrels, like oil, beer, or gunpowder. "Tons of" is more general and can be used for anything measurable by weight or as a generic expression of quantity.