boatloads

USAGE SUMMARY

"boatloads" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to mean a large and unspecified amount of something, typically an item of cargo. Example sentence: The merchant ships were transporting boatloads of silk from China to Europe.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Its legacy includes San Francisco and America's thriving Chinese population (which exploded during the gold rush, as boatloads of Chinese prospectors arrived).Brands, the historian, goes further, arguing that gold transformed the American dream.

The Economist

The Germans and others are also right to worry that a central bank that buys boatloads of government bonds will eventually cause inflation.

The Economist

The only promotion that went as planned was that of General Isik Kosaner, a traditionalist who will succeed General Basbug.In this section Into the inferno Part of the main No jobs for the boys Reset and unsettled No boatloads but still trouble ReprintsAK supporters hail the outcome as a victory for democracy.

The Economist

Sometimes the southern Med's main export has seemed to be boatloads of illegal immigrants.This weekend at a summit in Paris France's president, Nicolas Sarkozy, wants to heal the rift.

The Economist

Though neither trend is sharp enough to signal deflationary worries, they still argue for exiting slowly, if at all.The strongest argument in favour of tapering the bond-buying soon is that its economic benefits are diminishing, and the potential distortions from having the Fed own boatloads of bonds are rising.

The Economist

DESPITE warnings by Israel's government that it would stop two boatloads of pro-Palestinian campaigners from "breaking the siege of Gaza", the ships, carrying some 40-plus enthusiasts, were eventually allowed to dock safely in Gaza's main port on August 23rd and to disgorge a cargo of medicine, hearing-aids and other items that the local Palestinians have sorely lacked.

The Economist

On the other hand, well-publicised incidents in which boatloads of Chinese tried to land illegally in British Columbia last year have annoyed many Canadians.

The Economist

The Italians have also introduced a policy of returning boatloads of migrants to Libya before any can claim asylum.

The Economist

It's not a simple matter of BP giving boatloads of campaign cash to politicians who then vote for more offshore drilling, or creating ads themselves that say "Vote for Candidate X"! Or not usually, anyway.

The Economist

A much-heralded proposal by Australia's prime minister, Julia Gillard, to build a regional "processing centre" in Timor-Leste a sorTimor-Leste aion for the boatloadsort asylum-seekers whofare caught trying to reach Australia—did not even make it onto the agenda of the tway-station Process ministers' conforence.

The Economist

Yet many policymakers are buying boatloads of dollars to stop their currencies rising as foreign capital pours in from Western investors seeking better returns (see article).

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "boatloads" to emphasize a large, often overwhelming, quantity, especially when referring to physical items or resources.

Common error

Avoid using "boatloads" in highly formal or academic writing; opt for more precise and professional terms like "large quantities" or "significant amounts".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "boatloads" is as a noun, specifically the plural form of "boatload". It functions as a countable noun representing a large quantity. Ludwig AI also confirms its appropriate use in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

86%

Encyclopedias

2%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "boatloads" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun to describe a large quantity of something, particularly goods or resources. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and appropriate usage. While highly prevalent in news and media, as well as in encyclopedias, it is better replaced by more formal synonyms such as "large quantities" or "substantial amounts" in academic or professional settings. When used appropriately, "boatloads" effectively emphasizes abundance or magnitude.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

loads of

A slightly less nautical and more general synonym.

large quantities

Replaces the informal "boatloads" with a more formal expression.

huge amounts

Similar to "boatloads" but uses "amounts" instead of a nautical metaphor.

vast numbers

Focuses on the numerical aspect of a large quantity.

a great deal

A more general expression for a large quantity or extent.

plenty of

Suggests an ample or sufficient quantity.

a plethora of

Implies an overabundance or excessive quantity.

a wealth of

Suggests a rich or abundant supply.

mountains of

Conveys a sense of overwhelming quantity or size.

oodles of

An informal and playful way to describe a large quantity.

FAQs

How to use "boatloads" in a sentence?

"Boatloads" is typically used to describe a large, unspecified quantity of something, especially goods or resources. For example: "The company received "boatloads" of orders after the product launch."

What can I say instead of "boatloads"?

You can use alternatives like "large quantities", "huge amounts", or "a great deal" depending on the context.

Is "boatloads" a formal word?

No, "boatloads" is considered an informal word. In formal writing, it's better to use more precise and professional terms such as "significant quantities" or "substantial amounts".

What's the difference between "boatloads" and "loads of"?

"Boatloads" specifically evokes the image of cargo being transported by boats, implying a large shipment or quantity. "Loads of" is a more general term for a large amount, without the nautical connotation.