great amounts of time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "great amounts of time" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing significant durations or periods spent on an activity or task. Example: "The project took great amounts of time to complete, but the results were worth the effort."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

He spent great amounts of time in arbitration hearings and on depositions that almost always favored the disciplined cop.

The New Yorker

Nobunaga and Hideyoshi spent great amounts of time and money indulging their cultural proclivities, especially the tea ceremony (cha-no-yu).

Encyclopedia Britannica

"The craft bartending industry has made enormous strides in the last number of years, investing great amounts of time an effort into both education and refinement of technique," said Audrey Saunders, of Pegu Club.

The New York Times

Propaganda that aims to induce major changes is certain to take great amounts of time, resources, patience, and indirection, except in times of revolutionary crisis when old beliefs have been shattered and new ones have not yet been provided.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He had only limited financial success as a Wall Street lawyer, but that work allowed him to put in great amounts of time with the American Civil Liberties Union, which he served as a long-term chairman of its national board.

The New Yorker

Over the past few years, he's spent great amounts of time and money to plant his own vineyards in Arizona.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

"As a result, a great amount of time and effort was needlessly expended".

The New York Times

The mother invests a great amount of time and energy in her offspring.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Jūdōka spend a great amount of time learning to fall safely.

Encyclopedia Britannica

She said: "It was something he put a great amount of time into in terms of improving his skill".

Independent

(Brancusi was similarly invested in Weston's medium, spending a great amount of time photographing his own sculptures).

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "great amounts of time", ensure the context clearly indicates the activity or purpose to which this time is dedicated. Be specific to enhance clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "great amounts of time" as a generic filler. Always provide context to explain why the time investment is significant and what results from it. Otherwise, consider using shorter alternatives like "a long time" or "considerable time."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "great amounts of time" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb by specifying the duration or extent of an action. As shown in the examples provided by Ludwig, it describes how much time is dedicated to something.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Encyclopedias

18%

Wiki

16%

Less common in

Science

21%

Huffington Post

7%

Forbes

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "great amounts of time" is a grammatically sound and usable expression, as confirmed by Ludwig. It effectively conveys that a considerable duration is required or invested in something. While it is acceptable in various contexts, it's most frequently found in news, encyclopedias, and wikis. To maximize impact, provide specific details about how the time is spent. While the phrase is correct, be cautious of overuse without proper justification and consider using alternatives such as "considerable time" or "substantial time" when appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

large quantities of time

Replaces "amounts" with "quantities", emphasizing the measurable aspect of time.

a great deal of time

Uses "deal" instead of "amount", offering a more general quantification.

considerable time

Uses an adjective that indicates a significant or noteworthy duration.

substantial period

Replaces "time" with "period", suggesting a defined interval.

significant duration

Highlights the importance or impact of the time involved.

extended time frame

Emphasizes the length and boundaries of the time period.

prolonged period

Suggests a time span that is longer than typical or expected.

lengthy duration

Highlights the extended nature of the time involved.

extended length of time

Adds redundancy to emphasize the duration's length.

appreciable time

Focuses on the noticeable or measurable quality of the time.

FAQs

How can I use "great amounts of time" in a sentence?

You can use "great amounts of time" to describe activities that require significant time investment, such as "The research project required "great amounts of time" for data collection and analysis."

What are some alternatives to "great amounts of time"?

Alternatives include "considerable time", "substantial time", or "a great deal of time", depending on the context and desired emphasis.

Is it more appropriate to say "great amount of time" or "great amounts of time"?

"Great amount of time" is used for singular, uncountable time, while "great amounts of time" refers to multiple instances or segments where significant time is spent. For example, "a great amount of time" was spent on a single task, but "great amounts of time" were spent on various projects.

What is the difference between "large amounts of time" and "great amounts of time"?

The terms are largely interchangeable, but "great amounts of time" can sometimes imply a sense of importance or impact associated with that time, while "large amounts of time" simply emphasizes the quantity. Choose based on the nuance you want to convey.