big amount

USAGE SUMMARY

"big amount" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when referring to a large quantity of something such as money, items, or time. For example, "I spent a big amount of money on my new car."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Not a big amount.

The New York Times

It's not a big amount.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

That's a big amount of money".

The New Yorker

"And there's a big amount of fear.

The Guardian

Still a big amount of people with mental health problems.

Harvard University

From my side there is a big amount of respect.

The Guardian - Sport

His misjudgment cost us a big amount of points".

The Guardian - Sport

They had a quite big amount of money.

The Guardian - Money

"We don't have such a big amount of free time.

The New York Times - Sports

"It was just a very, very big amount of explosives.

The New York Times

There is a group of problems that require big amount of computing power to solve.

IFAC Proceedings Volumes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "big amount" in formal or academic writing. Instead, opt for more sophisticated synonyms such as "considerable quantity" or "significant proportion".

Common error

Avoid using "big amount" in formal reports or academic papers. While understood, it lacks the precision and sophistication expected in these settings. Use alternatives like "substantial" or "considerable" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "big amount" functions as a determiner phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a large quantity or degree of something. Ludwig examples show it used with both countable and uncountable nouns.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

35%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "big amount" is a grammatically sound phrase used to denote a significant quantity, as confirmed by Ludwig. While versatile, it's generally considered informal. Ludwig's examples across News & Media, Scientific, and Academic contexts suggest that while acceptable, more precise synonyms like "significant quantity" or "substantial portion" may be preferable, especially in formal writing. For accuracy and formality, consider context and audience when choosing between "big amount" and its alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significant amount

Highlights the importance or impact of the quantity.

large quantity

More formal and emphasizes the measurable aspect.

considerable quantity

Implies a quantity worthy of attention or respect.

substantial quantity

Similar to "large quantity" but conveys a greater sense of importance.

major proportion

Highlights that this amount is a big part of everything.

sizeable portion

Highlights it as a part of something larger.

appreciable quantity

Emphasizes the easiness to see the amount.

vast sum

Implies large sum of money, can also refer to time.

hefty measure

Emphasizes the weight or importance of the amount.

generous helping

Specifically refers to quantities of food but can also refer to other things.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "big amount"?

You can use alternatives like "large quantity", "significant amount", or "considerable quantity" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "big amount" in academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "big amount" might be considered too informal for academic writing. Consider using more precise and formal alternatives.

How can I make my writing sound more sophisticated when referring to a large quantity?

Instead of "big amount", try using phrases like "substantial quantity", "significant proportion", or "appreciable quantity" to elevate your language.

What's the difference between "big amount" and "large quantity"?

"Big amount" is generally considered more informal than "large quantity". The latter is more suitable for formal or professional contexts, while the former is acceptable in everyday conversation.