by the thousands

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by the thousands" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to indicate that something is happening in large, multiple amounts. For example: "The tourists visited the beach by the thousands this summer season."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

By the thousands.

The New York Times

Foreigners registered by the thousands.

The Economist

Multiply this by the thousands.

The New York Times

Ship in the people, by the thousands.

The New York Times

They saved lives, probably by the thousands.

The New York Times

7. Free seats, and by the thousands.

The New York Times

Now they come by the thousands.

The Economist

Angry letters poured in by the thousands.

The New York Times - Magazine

Girls, by the thousands, are missing.

The New York Times

Trees, plants and shrubs are dying by the thousands.

The New York Times

Still, players continue to participate by the thousands.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "by the thousands" to emphasize the magnitude of a number, especially when the exact count isn't as important as conveying a large scale. For example, instead of saying "3,000 people attended", say "people attended by the thousands" for greater impact.

Common error

Avoid using "by the thousands" when a more precise number is available and relevant, as it can make your writing seem vague or imprecise. If the exact number matters, provide it rather than generalizing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by the thousands" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs to indicate the scale or extent of an action or occurrence. Ludwig's examples show it describing how people arrive, trees die, or letters pour in.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Science

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "by the thousands" is a versatile and commonly used adverbial phrase that indicates a large quantity or frequency. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely accepted in written English. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it serves to emphasize scale and impact. When writing, use it when you want to highlight the magnitude of something, but be mindful of situations where precise numbers would be more appropriate. Alternatives like "in great numbers" or ""thousands upon thousands"" can offer nuanced variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

thousands upon thousands

Emphasizes the magnitude of the quantity.

countless numbers

Indicates that the quantity is so large it cannot be counted.

in great numbers

Uses a more general term for quantity instead of specifying thousands.

in vast numbers

Highlights the extensive and widespread nature of the quantity.

in large quantities

Focuses on the quantity aspect, suitable when referring to tangible items.

a multitude of

Implies a very large, unspecified number.

numerous instances

Suitable when referring to events or occurrences rather than countable objects.

a great many

A more informal way of expressing a large quantity.

in droves

Suggests movement of a large group.

by the score

Indicates a fairly large quantity, with a slightly different scale.

FAQs

How can I use "by the thousands" in a sentence?

You can use "by the thousands" to describe something occurring in large numbers. For example, "Tourists visit the city "by the thousands" every year."

What phrases are similar to "by the thousands"?

Alternatives include phrases like "in great numbers", "in large quantities", or "thousands upon thousands", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "by the thousands" or provide a specific number?

It depends on the context. If you want to emphasize the large scale, use "by the thousands". If accuracy is crucial, provide the specific number.

What's the difference between "by the thousands" and "by the millions"?

"By the thousands" indicates a quantity in the thousands, while "by the millions" indicates a quantity in the millions, representing a significantly larger scale.