colossal numbers

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "colossal numbers" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe quantities that are extremely large or significant in size. Example: "The project required colossal numbers of resources, far exceeding our initial estimates."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Then he sets forth colossal numbers that are "so extreme that they defy analogy".

The New York Times - Books

The force has invested in dealing with heavy drug users (who can commit colossal numbers of crimes), offering clinics for testing.

The Economist

Our skins are smeared with a thin film of microbial life, with ever greater numbers occupying every orifice and employed in colossal numbers in our guts.

The Guardian - Books

They are known to be faster than ordinary computers at only a few (admittedly quite useful) tasks, such as searching unsorted information, or finding the prime factors of colossal numbers.

The Economist

"Consequently, there is an incentive to increase animal numbers, leading to the colossal numbers we see today, at over 50 million head of livestock, which degrades the precious pasturelands," said Robert Schoellhammer, country director for the ADB.

The Guardian

The home affairs select committee condemned the European response to the "colossal" numbers of people seeking asylum, saying the crisis should have been anticipated, and European countries had done "too little, too late".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

For example, multiplying two enormous prime numbers together to get a third colossal number is easy.

The Economist

But, analysing a colossal number produced in this way and trying to determine its prime factors is colossally difficult.

The Economist

The video, released on a Facebook page with no official link to the campaign, has had some 270,000 views, a colossal number for Denmark.

Independent

Similarly, there's a colossal number of characters, and yet they're all distinctive, and the actors have fun with their roles.

Independent

For sure the system is partly at fault here: students these days are expected to take a colossal number of exams all in one sitting.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "colossal numbers", ensure the context supports the implication of an exceptionally large quantity. Avoid using it for minor or average amounts, as it can sound hyperbolic.

Common error

Avoid using "colossal numbers" in casual conversation or informal writing where simpler terms like "a lot" or "many" would be more appropriate. The phrase is generally better suited for formal or analytical contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "colossal numbers" functions as a noun phrase, where "colossal" acts as a descriptive adjective modifying the noun "numbers". Ludwig examples show it describing quantities that are exceptionally large or significant.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "colossal numbers" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe extremely large quantities. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. While not as frequent as simpler alternatives, it is most appropriate for formal writing and analytical contexts where emphasizing scale is crucial. Primarily found in News & Media, Science and Encyclopedias, this phrase effectively conveys a sense of immense magnitude. When using "colossal numbers", ensure it aligns with the overall tone and formality of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

huge figures

Replaces "numbers" with "figures", implying a numerical representation, slightly more formal.

astronomical numbers

Highlights the extreme magnitude, suggesting quantities comparable to those in astronomy.

immense quantities

Substitutes "colossal" with "immense" and "numbers" with "quantities", focusing on amount rather than count.

tremendous quantities

Uses "tremendous" to highlight the great scale, similar in impact to "colossal".

vast amounts

Similar to "immense quantities", but emphasizes the substantial nature of the amounts.

gigantic quantities

Emphasizes the size aspect, similar to "colossal" but with a slightly different connotation.

enormous sums

Implies monetary value or large accumulations of something, narrowing the context.

substantial figures

Replaces "colossal" with "substantial", indicating a considerable size or importance.

massive volumes

Focuses on the large volume or capacity, applicable in contexts like data or liquids.

significant amounts

Less emphatic than "colossal numbers", suggesting importance more than size.

FAQs

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

You can use "colossal numbers" to describe extremely large quantities. For example, "The project required "colossal numbers" of resources" or "The company reported "colossal numbers" of sales during the holiday season".

What can I say instead of "colossal numbers"?

You can use alternatives like "huge figures", "immense quantities", or "vast amounts" depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "colossal numbers" in everyday conversation?

While grammatically correct, "colossal numbers" is more suited to formal writing or when emphasizing the enormity of a quantity. In everyday conversation, simpler terms like "a lot" or "many" might be more natural.

Which is correct, "colossal numbers" or "colossal amount"?

"Colossal numbers" is used for countable items, while "colossal amount" is used for uncountable substances or abstract concepts. For instance, "colossal numbers of stars" vs. "colossal amount of effort".