colossal amount

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "colossal amount" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is an extremely large amount. For example, "The amount of money he earned from investments last year was a colossal amount."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It lent a colossal amount to one company with little oversight.

The Economist

I have got to go on and deliver a colossal amount of stuff in London".

Independent

It feels as if there's still a colossal amount to do.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I owe Wenham a colossal amount, as indeed do many people.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"That's a colossal amount, and it's nearly all done without the use of technology," he said.

The New York Times

It costs una barbariedad – a colossal amount – to get to the first team and even more to stay there.

The Guardian - Sport

They eat a colossal amount of flies, aphids, wasps and other spiders, creatures that we deem pests as well.

The Guardian

Papers have got so big, [with] a colossal amount of comment and an ever-smaller amount of facts.

The Guardian

And once the Times throws the switch a colossal amount of current seems to flow through the whole system".

The New Yorker

"We need to get to a situation where the U.S. doesn't lose us a colossal amount of money," Mr. Gulliver said.

The New York Times

The colossal amount of carbon stored in the Amazon means it could provide billions of dollars of funding for development while keeping the forest intact.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "colossal amount" when you want to emphasize the sheer size or scale of something. It's suitable for situations where the quantity is not just large, but remarkably so.

Common error

While "colossal amount" is generally acceptable, avoid overusing it in very casual or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "huge" or "large" might be more appropriate in those situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "colossal amount" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It quantifies a noun, emphasizing its exceedingly large size or magnitude. As Ludwig AI confirms, its use is grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

26%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "colossal amount" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase for emphasizing a very large quantity. Ludwig AI validates its correctness, and examples show its wide applicability across different domains. While versatile, it's best to reserve it for situations where you truly want to highlight the exceptional size or scale, as it can sound exaggerated if overused. Consider alternatives like "substantial quantity" or "huge amount" in more informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

huge quantity

A more direct and less formal synonym.

tremendous amount

Emphasizes the impressive size or impact.

substantial quantity

Replaces "colossal" with "substantial", indicating a significant amount but perhaps slightly less overwhelming.

vast quantity

Implies immense scale or extent.

immense quantity

Highlights the extraordinary scale.

considerable quantity

Similar to "substantial quantity", offering a slightly more formal tone.

enormous volume

Stresses the impressive size or capacity.

massive volume

Suggests a great and heavy bulk.

significant volume

Emphasizes size or capacity instead of just amount.

gigantic quantity

Highlights an extremely large scale.

FAQs

How can I use "colossal amount" in a sentence?

You can use "colossal amount" to describe something that is extremely large in quantity or size. For example: "The project required a "colossal amount" of resources."

What are some alternatives to "colossal amount"?

You can use alternatives like "substantial quantity", "huge amount", or "vast quantity" depending on the context.

Is "colossal amount" formal or informal?

"Colossal amount" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, but it's often used to add emphasis. In very casual conversations, simpler terms might be preferred.

What's the difference between "large amount" and "colossal amount"?

"Colossal amount" implies a significantly greater quantity than "large amount". Use "colossal amount" when you want to emphasize the extraordinary scale of something.