formidable volume

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "formidable volume" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a large or impressive amount of something, often in a context where the size or extent is noteworthy. Example: "The library housed a formidable volume of ancient texts, attracting scholars from around the world."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Sure, we want him to take some hand in preparing the formidable volume of food he's consuming these days, but more than that, we want him to understand and take some part in the labor that goes into producing the neat, convenient rows of bottles and jars lined up on our refrigerator and pantry shelves.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

However, discrete skeletons are lacking, the researcher being presented with formidable volumes of disarticulated and commingled remains.

Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports

No one has been able to authenticate the quote, and John G. Nicolay, a private secretary to Lincoln and co-author with John Hay of a formidable ten-volume Lincoln biography, called it a bald, unblushing forgery.

The Economist

Her ability to finish against such an experienced, formidable opponent speaks volumes about the strength of her mental game.

The New York Times

Although it measures a formidable 10percentt alcohol by volume, the anniversary beer avoids the hot, solventlike taste that mars many young barleywines.

The Washington Post

Deeply researched and including a formidable bibliographic component, the volume also serves as a reference guide to scholars desiring to study, at greater length, one of the many topics raised.

Stanford University

It helps that the actor is blessed with a growly, instantly commanding voice capable of swallowing the Duchess Theatre whole and a formidable stature that speaks volumes when his character, Troy Maxson, is bent double by the sort of tragic flaws that we recognize from both Shakespeare and Arthur Miller.

The New York Times - Arts

The change in guest list is illustrative of this: bigger names (Norah Jones, Snoop Dogg, the wearyingly ubiquitous Emeli Sandé) delivering pleasant but undemanding performances instead of the formidable vocal creativity displayed on Volume 1 by Meshell Ndegeocello, Ledisi and Bilal.

The Guardian - Music

L'Année philologique was founded by Jules Marouzeau in Paris in the 1920s and for decades operated from a single office by the formidable Juliette Ernst, but as the volume of work increased additional offices were founded in other countries.

Duke University

The Talmud is a formidable body of work: 63 volumes of rabbinical discourse and disputation that form Judaism's central scripture after the Torah.

The New York Times

For his own reference, Mr. Oinonen keeps on hand a formidable set of about 700 bibliographical volumes of all books in the Library of Congress.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "formidable volume" when you want to emphasize not only the quantity but also the imposing or challenging nature of something. For instance, a "formidable volume" of regulations can deter businesses.

Common error

Avoid using "formidable volume" in casual conversation or informal writing. The phrase is best suited for formal or academic contexts where a sense of scale and impact is needed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "formidable volume" functions as a noun phrase, where 'formidable' acts as an adjective modifying 'volume'. It denotes a significant quantity that is impressive or potentially challenging. Ludwig provides examples showcasing this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

32%

Academia

24%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "formidable volume" is used to describe a large quantity of something, often with an implied sense of impressiveness or challenge. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. While not overly common, it appears most frequently in news, scientific, and academic contexts. When writing, reserve "formidable volume" for situations where you want to highlight both the quantity and the imposing nature of what you're describing, and avoid overuse in informal settings. Alternatives like "substantial amount" or "considerable volume" may be suitable depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

considerable volume

Stresses the size or magnitude.

impressive quantity

Emphasizes the admirable nature of the amount.

substantial amount

Highlights the size or extent as being considerable.

imposing collection

Similar to formidable, but referring to a set of things rather than a volume.

massive amount

Indicates a very large size, potentially larger than 'formidable'.

significant quantity

Focuses on the amount being noteworthy, less on its intimidating aspect.

vast accumulation

Emphasizes the gradual gathering of a large quantity.

extensive collection

Highlights the breadth and scope of the assembled items, but shifts the focus from volume to variety.

gigantic quantity

Implies an extremely large amount, exceeding the sense of 'formidable'.

large quantity

Simply denotes a great amount, lacking the nuance of 'formidable'.

FAQs

How can I use "formidable volume" in a sentence?

You can use "formidable volume" to describe a large and impressive amount of something, especially when it presents a challenge or is difficult to handle. For example: "The company faced a "formidable volume" of paperwork after the merger."

What are some alternatives to "formidable volume"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "substantial amount", "considerable volume", or "impressive quantity".

Is "formidable volume" suitable for formal writing?

Yes, "formidable volume" is well-suited for formal and academic writing, where it can effectively convey a sense of significant quantity and impact.

What is the difference between "large volume" and "formidable volume"?

"Large volume" simply indicates a great quantity, while "formidable volume" implies that the quantity is not only large but also presents a challenge or is impressive in its scale.