enormous number

USAGE SUMMARY

"enormous number" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a very large or excessive quantity of something. For example, "There are an enormous number of cars on the road during rush hour."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Still, this fraction represents an enormous number.

The New Yorker

"An enormous number of meetings," sighs Whiteread.

The Guardian - Arts

"It is an enormous number of violations.

The Guardian

An enormous number did so that night.

The Guardian - Film

It's got an enormous number of judges.

The Guardian

We watched an enormous number of films, read an enormous number of books.

Harvard University

Right now, there are an enormous number of unanswered questions.

Cornell University

Thus, screening for PPI inhibitors requires enormous number of compounds.

Analytical Biochemistry

We are introducing an enormous number of reforms.

The Guardian

"There were an enormous number of complications to that.

The Guardian

"Two-point-seven would be an enormous number".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "enormous number" to emphasize the largeness of a quantity when precision is not crucial. This phrase is more impactful than simply saying "a lot" or "many".

Common error

While "enormous number" is acceptable, avoid overuse in formal or scientific contexts where precise figures or more sophisticated vocabulary might be more appropriate. Consider alternatives like "significant quantity" or specific numerical data if available.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "enormous number" functions as a determiner phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a large quantity. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It is used to describe a quantity that is significantly greater than average.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

28%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "enormous number" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a large quantity, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It functions as a determiner phrase, adding emphasis to the scale of the quantity being described. While versatile enough for various contexts, it's most frequently found in news, scientific, and academic sources. When aiming for more precision in formal writing, consider alternatives like "significant quantity" or providing specific figures. While "enormous number" is useful for conveying a sense of magnitude, be mindful of overuse, especially in formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

vast quantity

Replaces 'number' with 'quantity', focusing on the amount of something.

huge amount

Substitutes 'enormous' with 'huge' and 'number' with 'amount', maintaining the sense of a large quantity.

large volume

Changes 'number' to 'volume', emphasizing the size or extent.

substantial quantity

Replaces "enormous" with "substantial", indicating a considerable amount.

considerable amount

Emphasizes the significance of the quantity, using 'considerable' instead of 'enormous'.

significant quantity

Highlights the importance of the number, focusing on its impact.

massive quantity

Uses 'massive' to amplify the sense of a very large quantity.

great deal

Indicates a large quantity or extent, simplifying the expression.

immense volume

Combines 'immense' and 'volume' for a more impactful expression of size.

countless instances

Shifts focus to the number of occurrences, using 'countless' to indicate a very large number.

FAQs

How can I use "enormous number" in a sentence?

You can use "enormous number" to describe a large quantity of something, as in "There was an "enormous number" of applications for the job" or "The project required an "enormous number" of resources".

What are some alternatives to "enormous number"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "vast quantity", "huge amount", or "considerable amount" to convey a similar meaning.

Is "enormous number" too informal for academic writing?

While generally acceptable, in highly formal academic writing, consider using more precise or sophisticated alternatives such as "significant quantity" or providing specific numerical data. It depends on the specific field and context.

What is the difference between "enormous number" and "large number"?

"Enormous number" emphasizes the exceptional size or quantity, suggesting something is notably larger than just a "large number". The term "enormous" adds a stronger sense of scale and impact.