in spades

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in spades" is a commonly used idiom in English.
It means to "a large degree, or to a great extent". For example, you could say "He loves hiking in the mountains in spades."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In spades.

The New York Times - Books

It succeeds, in spades.

Independent

I saw it in spades.

The New Yorker

I procrastinate in spades.

The Guardian - Books

Ingenuity in spades.

The Guardian - Music

He got that in spades.

The Economist

Liquid has them in spades.

The Economist

Olympus needs reorganization in spades.

The New York Times

Indignation, though, came in spades.

The New York Times - Sports

It was, in spades.

The New York Times

She succeeded - in spades.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in spades" when you want to emphasize that something is present to a very large degree or in great quantity. It adds color and emphasis to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "in spades" when a neutral or understated expression is more appropriate. The phrase carries a strong sense of abundance or intensity, which may not always be suitable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in spades" functions as an adverbial, modifying a verb or adjective to indicate the extent or degree to which something is present. As Ludwig AI confirms, it amplifies the meaning of the word it modifies, indicating abundance or intensity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

86%

Formal & Business

7%

Science

7%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The idiom "in spades" is a common and effective way to express that something is present to a large degree or in great quantity. As Ludwig AI indicated, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in News & Media. While versatile, it is important to consider the context and audience, as more formal settings might benefit from alternatives like "abundantly" or "to a great extent". Understanding its connotation helps to ensure its appropriate use, adding emphasis and color to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in abundance

Focuses on the plentiful quantity of something, differing from "in spades" which emphasizes degree.

to a high degree

Similar in meaning but lacks the colorful idiom of "in spades".

to a great extent

Emphasizes the magnitude or degree, less idiomatic than "in spades".

to excess

Directly conveys the idea of exceeding a normal or acceptable limit, like "in spades" in some contexts.

in large quantities

Highlights the amount rather than the intensity, which is central to "in spades".

lavishly

Implies extravagance and richness, which can overlap with the idea of abundance in "in spades".

without restraint

Implies a lack of limitation, somewhat related to the excess suggested by "in spades".

copiously

Focuses on a large supply or amount, similar to the abundance aspect of "in spades".

generously

Suggests a giving or abundant provision, differing slightly from the general intensity of "in spades".

amply

Indicates sufficiency or more than enough, less emphatic than "in spades".

FAQs

How can I use "in spades" in a sentence?

You can use "in spades" to emphasize that something exists to a great degree or in large quantities. For example, "The team showed resilience "in spades" during the final match."

What does "in spades" mean?

The idiom "in spades" means "to a great extent" or "in abundance". It is used to emphasize that something exists in a large quantity or to a high degree.

What are some alternatives to "in spades"?

Alternatives to "in spades" include "in abundance", "to a great extent", or "in large quantities", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "in spades" in formal writing?

While "in spades" is widely understood, it is generally considered informal. In formal writing, it may be more appropriate to use alternatives like "to a significant degree" or "abundantly".