copiously

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "copiously" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is done in large quantities or abundantly. Example: "The author wrote copiously, producing several volumes of work in just a few years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Related: Do our MPs lie? Yes, copiously and consistently | David McKie The saintly can criticise Mr Carmichael for leaking.

The Guardian - Opinion

Yes, copiously and consistently.

The Guardian - Opinion

But she might profit from sipping at least a little from one of the bottles from which Mr Moynihan has drunk so copiously.

The Economist

Both these effects will help to bolster the economy and restore growth.As well as these interest-rate cuts, the ECB announced that it would lend copiously to banks for as long as four years, as long as they pledged to improve their own lending performance to the private sector.

The Economist

THE chandeliers sparkled, a navy jazz band played and the fruit juice (no alcohol) flowed copiously.

The Economist

Given the grand promises of his prime minister, Silvio Berlusconi, both to slash taxes and to spend copiously on Italy's infrastructure, Mr Tremonti has his work cut out.

The Economist

Hedges have been uprooted, wetlands drained, heaths ploughed up and pesticides such as DDT sprayed copiously to eliminate hostile insects thus also eliminating huge quantities of bird food.

The Economist

He also borrowed copiously to finance his spending plans a technique whose political consequences he might have escaped had Labour left office before the current downturn.

The Economist

With Yahoo!, an internet firm, Intel took a step towards this last year by unveiling the Widget Channel, which lets viewers look up such things as the name of the actress in the soap they are watching.Despite the downturn, American firms continue to spend copiously on research and development (R&D).

The Economist

He was said to be in possession of a hard drive from the laptop of a former executive of an unnamed American bank, containing documents even more toxic than the copiously leaked diplomatic cables from the State Department.

The Economist

Mr Ferrer would spray his Lazarus copiously with perfume, then spray himself before he went out.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "copiously" to emphasize the abundance or profusion of something, particularly when describing actions or processes. For example, "He researched the topic copiously before writing the report."

Common error

Avoid using "copiously" when describing situations where scarcity or limitation is present. "Copiously" implies abundance, so using it in contexts of scarcity can create confusion or sound ironic.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "copiously" primarily functions to modify verbs, indicating that an action is performed in a plentiful or abundant manner. It enhances the description of the action by emphasizing the extent or degree to which it is carried out. This is supported by Ludwig's examples, where actions like 'leaking', 'spending', and 'illustrated' are described as being done "copiously".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Encyclopedias

37%

Science

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "copiously" is a grammatically correct adverb used to describe actions performed in a plentiful or abundant manner. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and offers synonyms like abundantly and profusely. It's most frequently found in news and media, as well as encyclopedic contexts, maintaining a neutral to formal tone. When using "copiously", ensure it aligns with the idea of abundance and avoid using it in contexts of scarcity. By following these guidelines, you can effectively incorporate "copiously" into your writing to emphasize the magnitude or extent of an action or state.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

abundantly

Indicates a large quantity or plentiful supply, similar to "copiously" but with a slightly broader application.

profusely

Emphasizes extravagance or excess in quantity, akin to "copiously" but with a stronger sense of lavishness.

lavishly

Suggests generosity or extravagance in providing something, sharing the sense of abundance with "copiously" but more focused on giving.

plentifully

Highlights the sufficiency and abundance of something, similar to "copiously" but emphasizing adequacy.

generously

Implies a willingness to give or provide in large amounts, relating to "copiously" through the idea of ample provision.

in abundance

A phrase emphasizing a great quantity or ample supply, mirroring the sense of "copiously" but in a phrasal form.

in plenty

Indicates a more than sufficient amount, akin to "copiously" in conveying ample quantity.

to a great extent

Highlights the degree or measure of something, sharing a sense of amplitude with "copiously" but more general.

in large quantities

Directly states the presence of something in great amounts, similar to "copiously" in its quantitative emphasis.

to a considerable degree

Emphasizes the substantial nature of something, relating to "copiously" through the idea of significant quantity.

FAQs

How can I use "copiously" in a sentence?

"Copiously" is an adverb used to describe something done in large quantities or abundantly. For instance, "The author wrote "copiously", producing several volumes of work."

What words can I use instead of "copiously"?

Alternatives to "copiously" include "abundantly", "profusely", or "lavishly", each emphasizing abundance in slightly different ways.

Is it correct to say "copiously few"?

No, "copiously few" is contradictory. "Copiously" implies abundance, while "few" implies a small quantity. It's best to avoid this combination.

What is the difference between "copiously" and "sufficiently"?

"Copiously" indicates a large, often excessive amount, while "sufficiently" implies just enough to meet a need. Use "sufficiently" when adequacy is the focus, and "copiously" when emphasizing abundance.