how vast

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "how vast" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express the extent or size of something, often in a poetic or rhetorical context. Example: "As I stood on the edge of the canyon, I couldn't help but marvel at how vast the landscape appeared before me."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

How vast, how clean.

The New Yorker

Just how vast is this?

The New York Times

I can't begin to compute how vast it is.

The Guardian - Travel

* If child prostitution was involved, how vast was it?

The New York Times

He is committed to nurturing his audience, no matter how vast it gets.

The New Yorker

It is difficult for non-Canadians to grasp just how vast a change this is.

The New Yorker

But she now better understands how vast and terrifying that choice really is.

The New York Times - Magazine

Constituent-services operations, no matter how vast, can't help more than a tiny fraction of Americans.

The New York Times

"You know how vast Australia is," explains Matthew Sanders, Triple P's founder.

The New York Times

I was amazed to discover how vast and complex this underground economy is.

The New Yorker

To understand just how vast the universe is, take a trip to the beach.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "how vast" to effectively convey the scale or magnitude of abstract concepts like influence, change, or potential.

Common error

Avoid using "how vast" when describing physical objects with easily quantifiable dimensions; opt for more precise measurements or descriptive adjectives.

Linguistic Context

Adjectival Phrase: "How vast" primarily functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or noun phrase to emphasize its size, scope, or extent. Ludwig examples show it used to describe changes, communities, and the universe.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Science

12%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "how vast" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to emphasize the immense size, scope, or extent of something, as validated by Ludwig. It functions as an adjectival phrase, serving to magnify the qualities of the noun it modifies. Predominantly found in News & Media, it also appears in Scientific and Academic contexts. While versatile, avoid overusing it in simple descriptions where more precise language would be appropriate. Consider alternatives like "how immense" or "how extensive" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

how immense

Replaces "vast" with a synonym emphasizing great size or scale.

how extensive

Focuses on the breadth or reach of something, similar to "vast".

how boundless

Emphasizes the limitless nature of something.

how limitless

Similar to 'boundless', stressing the absence of limitations.

how immeasurable

Highlights that something is too large or great to be measured.

how enormous

Stresses the great size or magnitude of something.

how considerable

Indicates a large or significant amount or degree.

how far-reaching

Highlights the extensive influence or effects of something.

to what extent

Shifts the focus to the degree or scope of something.

how expansive

Emphasizes the broad or wide-ranging nature of something.

FAQs

What does "how vast" mean?

"How vast" is used to express the great extent, size, or scope of something, often implying a sense of awe or incomprehensibility.

How can I use "how vast" in a sentence?

You can use "how vast" to describe the size of physical spaces (e.g., "how vast the ocean is") or the extent of abstract concepts (e.g., "how vast the potential is").

What can I say instead of "how vast"?

You can use alternatives like "how immense", "how extensive", or "to what extent" depending on the context.

Is "how vast" formal or informal?

"How vast" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and the overall tone of the writing.