copious number of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "copious number of" is correct and usable in written English.
You would use this phrase when you want to emphasize a large quantity or amount. For example, "I had a copious number of errands to run today."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

One nurse aggressively stanched the arterial pseudoaneurysm with a copious number of four-inch gauze pads, but Williams's ordeal is hardly over.

The New York Times - Sports

Although once popularly planted as a landscape tree, the Norway maple has a bad habit of shedding a copious number of seeds each year.

Cornell University

How, then, does AOL expect to make money — especially considering its promise not to increase the already copious number of ads on its pages?

The New York Times - Tech

The team's calculations show that a copious number of bubbles would form from air trapped inside the hollow fibres making up this lining.

The Economist

I'd start by reducing the copious number of excerpts from the infamous Carnegie Hall recital; they're there less to propel the story than to display Jenkins's egregious taste in costumes, amusingly reinterpreted by Tracy Christensen.

The New York Times

However, TO methods, applied for components or assembly with high complexity shape or for structures with copious number of parts respectively, do not usually take into account the manufacturability of the optimized geometries, then a heavy further work is required to engineer the product, risking to compromise the mass reduction achieved.

Procedia Manufacturing

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Fusion generates copious numbers of neutrons, which tell how well the reaction is proceeding.

The New York Times

Type 1 fibers have copious numbers of mitochondria, which generate the cell's energy and are therefore resistant to fatigue.

The New York Times - Science

ASACUSA has very successfully continued the program of antiprotonic helium 3 spectroscopy and ATHENA and ATRAP have reported last autumn the synthesis of copious numbers of cold antihydrogen atoms.

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment

Males and females mate, resulting in the production of copious numbers of eggs a single adult female can lay more than 200,000 eggs in one day.

Britannica

When LEP started up, it could collide electrons and positrons at total energies of about 90 GeV, producing copious numbers of Z particles.

Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "copious number of" to emphasize not just the size, but also the abundance or profusion of something. It works well when you want to convey that there is more than enough.

Common error

Avoid using "copious number of" in very casual or informal writing. Simpler terms like "a lot of" or "many" are often more appropriate and sound more natural in those settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "copious number of" functions as a quantifier, specifically an adjective phrase modifying a noun. It indicates a large quantity or amount of something countable. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's validity and usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

40%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "copious number of" is a grammatically correct phrase used to emphasize a large quantity or abundance of countable items. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. While not extremely common, it's suitable for formal and neutral contexts, especially in scientific, academic, and news-related writing. For more casual settings, consider alternatives like "a lot of" or "many". It's important to ensure you use "copious number of" with countable nouns, as "copious amounts of" is reserved for uncountable ones.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

large quantity of

Replaces "number" with "quantity", emphasizing volume rather than count.

abundant amount of

Substitutes "copious" with "abundant" and "number" with "amount", highlighting sufficiency and plentifulness.

substantial quantity of

Uses "substantial" to convey a considerable amount, suitable for formal contexts.

considerable number of

Emphasizes the significance of the quantity, implying importance.

plentiful supply of

Focuses on the availability and richness of the supply, changing the noun to "supply".

ample supply of

Similar to plentiful, but suggests just enough or more than enough.

significant quantity of

Highlights the importance or impact of the amount.

generous amount of

Suggests a willingness or readiness to provide a large quantity.

profusion of

Shifts the focus to a lavish display or supply, often used in more descriptive or literary contexts.

wealth of

Implies a rich or valuable collection or supply.

FAQs

How can I use "copious number of" in a sentence?

Use "copious number of" to describe a large quantity of something. For example, "The research generated a "copious number of" data points."

What are some alternatives to "copious number of"?

You can use alternatives like "large quantity of", "abundant amount of", or "substantial quantity of" depending on the context.

Is "copious amounts of" the same as "copious number of"?

"Copious amounts of" is used for uncountable nouns, while "copious number of" is used for countable nouns. For example, "copious amounts of water" versus "copious number of books".

When is it appropriate to use "copious number of" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "copious number of" when you want to emphasize the abundance or profusion of something, especially in formal or academic writing.